Optimizing Lottie Animations in Web Projects: Addressing Image Loading and Preloading Challenges

In the process of developing a website from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—originally inspired by a Webflow design—I encountered some common challenges related to animation performance. Specifically, I attempted to replace a Lottie animation with CSS techniques to preload image frames and improve user experience. However, I faced difficulty ensuring that all animation frames load seamlessly before interaction, resulting in initial flickering and layout shifts during the first hover event.

The animation in question simulates a rotating 3D effect on energy cans when hovered over, creating an engaging visual. The goal was to preload all associated image frames so that the rotation appears smooth and instantaneous, rather than loading on demand and causing visual glitches.

Despite experimenting with JavaScript to trigger the animation ahead of user interaction, the images still did not preload effectively, leading to the initial load flicker. This highlights a common challenge when replacing Lottie animations with manual sprite or frame-based solutions—proper preloading is crucial for a seamless experience.

For those exploring similar solutions, some best practices include:
– Ensuring all animation frames are preloaded in the background before the user interacts.
– Using JavaScript to preload images by creating Image objects and monitoring their load status.
– Incorporating CSS techniques, such as sprite sheets or background image sets, to reduce load times.
– Triggering “dummy” animations on page load to cache frames before interaction.

Check out the live version of the project for reference:
https://mitchangus.design/LiftOff

By applying these strategies, you can significantly enhance the responsiveness of your animations, providing a more polished and professional user experience.