Title: Overcoming Lottie Animation Loading Challenges in Custom Web Projects

In the process of refining a web development project, I encountered a challenge related to preloading animation frames when replacing a Lottie animation with CSS-based solutions. The original project was crafted in Webflow and involved a detailed 3D rotation effect on energy cans triggered upon hover. My goal was to recreate this animation using plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to optimize performance and control.

However, I faced difficulties with ensuring smooth initial loading. Specifically, the first time users hover over the element, all the image frames load simultaneously, causing unwanted blinking and layout shifts. Despite attempts to preemptively run the animation via JavaScript before user interaction, the issue persisted.

This experience highlights the complexities of managing animated assets and ensuring seamless user experience in custom-coded websites. If you’re tackling similar challenges, consider strategies such as thorough preloading of animation assets, implementing CSS sprites, or utilizing alternative methods to cache image frames effectively.

For a closer look at the project and the animation effects in action, you can explore it here:

https://mitchangus.design/LiftOff

If you’ve faced similar issues or have insights on optimizing animated assets, feel free to share your experiences in the comments. Achieving smooth, professional animations requires careful asset management, but with the right approach, it’s entirely possible to enhance your site’s interactivity without sacrificing performance.