2. Lottie vs GIF: Which one is best?

You may nonetheless be questioning why it’s best to change to Lotties, particularly since GIFs are already really easy to make use of (plus they have been round without end). So let’s take a look at Lottie vs. GIF and break all of it down:

• Smaller file measurement: Whereas GIFs will be large and sluggish to load, Lottie animations are tiny and cargo immediately.
• Scales completely: GIFs get blurry when resized, in comparison with Lottie information that keep crisp at any measurement.
• Smoother efficiency: Lottie animations play seamlessly, however GIFs can lag or stutter.
• Interactive: Lottie can react to clicks, scrolls, or hovers, whereas GIFs simply loop endlessly.
• Helps transparency: Lottie information work with clear backgrounds, whereas GIFs typically want a strong background.

When utilizing GIFs nonetheless is sensible

So now that we have in contrast Lottie vs. GIF, there have to be instances when GIFs have the benefit. Effectively, GIFs are nice for fast social media posts, response memes, and brief looping animations the place file measurement and interactivity do not actually matter. And you’ll be taught to make inventive GIF animations in After Results as effectively.

What about changing a Lottie to GIF?

Now that we have established when to make use of GIFs and in contrast Lottie vs. GIF, you is likely to be questioning, “Is there ever a time when changing a Lottie to a GIF is sensible?” Whereas Lottie is the higher alternative for many conditions, there are just a few circumstances the place a GIF is definitely the extra sensible possibility. Let’s check out just a few instances the place changing a Lottie to a GIF is a good suggestion:

• Sharing on social media: Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Fb don’t assist Lottie information. If you wish to share an animation as a put up, a GIF is the best format to make use of.
• Sending animations in chat apps (like Slack & WhatsApp): Most messaging apps don’t assist Lottie, however they do assist GIFs. If you wish to ship a fast animated response or a enjoyable UI mockup, a GIF works higher.
• Utilizing animations in e-mail advertising and marketing: Lottie animations stay unsupported by most e-mail purchasers, whereas GIFs are supported. So changing Lottie to GIF is usually a good workaround.
• Embedding animations in PowerPoint or Keynote: There isn’t any assist for Lottie information in presentation software program. So utilizing GIFs is without doubt one of the solely methods so as to add animations to your slides.

The best way to convert Lottie to GIF

When you ever have to convert a Lottie animation right into a GIF, you need to use:

• LottieFiles Converter: Add your Lottie and obtain it as a GIF.
• After Results: Export the Lottie animation as a video, after which convert it to a GIF in Photoshop.

3. Why are Lotties used?

These days you will see Lottie animations in every single place, from the Duolingo app’s enjoyable animations to smartwatch interfaces, and even messaging apps like Telegram.

Animations will be added to tasks in so some ways, however Lotties are undoubtedly my favorite. This is a fast have a look at a few of the major explanation why they work so effectively:

• They’re tremendous light-weight and quick: Lotties are tiny in file measurement however nonetheless top quality. Whether or not it’s a small button animation or a full-screen impact, it stays easy and quick.
• They scale with out dropping high quality: Since they’re vector-based, they keep crisp irrespective of how large or small you make them. Whether or not it’s a tiny loading icon or a full-screen background animation, it all the time appears sharp.
• They work wherever: Examples embody web sites, apps, and even UIs for video games. Lotties are supported by main platforms like iOS, Android, and React, so you may create an animation as soon as and use it in numerous tasks. This implies you need not export tons of various file sorts.
• They’re interactive: You’ll be able to set off cool animations to your mouse clicks, hovers, or scroll actions. Fashionable examples embody a button that lightly pulses if you hover over it, or an animation that performs when a person completes an motion. It’s such a easy method so as to add character and character to a design.
• They make UI design really feel alive: A static web site will be boring. By including refined Lottie animations, resembling a floating icon or a pulsing button, you can also make it really feel so significantly better, enhancing the person expertise.

4. The best way to use Lottie information

Lottie animations are in every single place, so that you’ve in all probability seen them with out even realizing it! They pop up in apps, web sites, digital adverts, and even video games, making interfaces really feel easy and fascinating. Listed below are a few of the finest methods to make use of Lottie information:

UI animations

I like it when an app or web site feels good to make use of. Lottie animations assist with that by including refined movement to issues resembling: 

• Loading animations
• Button results
• Menu transitions
• Success messages

Web sites

Static web sites are tremendous, however animated web sites are unforgettable. Lottie information assist designers add motion with out making pages heavy or sluggish. Some nice examples embody:

• Hero sections: A trendy animated intro grabs consideration immediately.
• Illustrations that transfer: Backgrounds, icons, or web page components with refined movement.
• Scroll-based animations: Parts that fade in, transfer, or change as you scroll.

Cellular apps

Ever used an app that simply feels higher than the remainder? That’s in all probability due to nice micro-animations. Lottie is large in cellular apps, particularly for:

• Onboarding screens: Animated walkthroughs that make studying the app a bit extra enjoyable.
• E-commerce interactions: Like including objects to a cart with a easy animation.
• Notifications: As an alternative of only a boring popup, you get a cool animated alert.

Sport UI and HUD components

Lottie isn’t only for web sites and apps—it’s additionally a fantastic software for sport UI animations. For sport builders, Lottie is a light-weight method so as to add movement with out overloading the sport engine. Examples of this embody issues like:

• HUD components: Animated well being bars, expertise meters, and skill cooldowns.
• Achievement popups: A slick animation if you unlock one thing.
• Menu transitions: Easy scrolling and increasing menus.

5. What software program is used to create Lottie animations?

The most effective half about Lottie animations is that you do not want a sophisticated setup to create them. There is a software on the market for each type of workflow, whether or not you are an trade skilled or only a newbie trying to have some enjoyable. So let’s try a few of the finest methods to make them. 

Adobe After Results + Bodymovin

If you need full inventive management, Adobe After Results is the software to make use of for Lottie animations. Nevertheless, you’ll need to put in the Bodymovin plugin. It’s what most professionals will probably use as a result of it permits for:

• Superior animations: Easy movement, complicated transitions, and detailed results.
• Layer-based enhancing: Good for working with vector shapes and keyframes.
• Exporting as Lottie information: Utilizing the free Bodymovin plugin, you may export animations as JSON information for Lottie.

Why I like it: It provides you full freedom to create something you may think about. The one draw back? There’s a little bit of a studying curve should you’re new to movement graphics.

LottieFiles Creator

If you need a beginner-friendly possibility, LottieFiles Creator is the way in which to go. It’s a web based software that permits you to edit present Lottie animations or create easy ones from scratch with out putting in any software program.

• No want to put in an app (like After Results)
• Works proper in your browser
• Good for tweaking animations rapidly

Why I like it: It’s very easy to make use of! You’ll be able to simply add an present Lottie file, tweak colours, velocity, or layers, and export it. Nice should you simply want fast edits with out diving into complicated software program.

Figma + Lottie Plugin 

When you already use Figma for UI/UX design, you’ll love the LottieFiles plugin. It allows you to import, preview, and tweak Lottie animations immediately inside Figma, which helps easy out your workflow. 

• Nice for UI movement design: Corresponding to animated icons, buttons, and loaders.
• Works with design techniques: Preserve animations constant along with your branding.
• Quick and light-weight: No heavy software program wanted.

Why I like it: When you’re designing for the net or apps, that is the best method to combine Lottie into your workflow.

Haiku Animator

Haiku is a good possibility for creating Lottie animations without having After Results. It allows you to create them immediately inside a design software, making the method smoother and extra intuitive.

• Designed for builders and designers
• Exports straight to Lottie (JSON)
• Works with React, iOS, and Android

Why I like it: When you’re engaged on app animations and wish one thing extra light-weight than After Results, Haiku is value testing.

Jitter

Jitter is one other straightforward, beginner-friendly, browser-based software that permits you to create movement graphics. It’s not as highly effective as After Results, however should you simply want easy textual content or UI animations, it’s a fantastic possibility.

• Drag-and-drop interface
• Good for social media animations
• Can export as Lottie information

Why I like it: When you don’t wish to spend hours studying animation software program, Jitter makes it quick and enjoyable!

So which software program ought to you use?

• Need full inventive freedom: After Results + Bodymovin
• Want a fast browser-based software: LottieFiles Editor
• Work in UI/UX design: Figma + Lottie Plugin
• Creating app animations: Haiku Animator
• Want quick, easy movement graphics: Jitter

6. The best way to create a Lottiefiles animation

Step 1: Open LottieFiles Editor

Go to LottieFiles Creator (you’ll have to check in or create a free account). Click on Create Animation or choose an present template to edit.

Step 2: Add a star form

Within the editor, click on the Form Instruments dropdown field and select the Star form. Resize the star to your liking by dragging the corners to make it greater or smaller, and place it in the midst of your canvas. 

Step 3: Modify the colour

Within the Property panel, go right down to the Look part the place you may change/regulate the colour and even the fill opacity.

Step 4: Animate the star form

Animating in Lottie Creator is straightforward. Simply add a keyframe to the scene from the Property panel (right here we’ll use the size remodel for instance). Transfer ahead within the timeline, regulate the size values, and add extra keyframes alongside the way in which (ensure you use constrain proportions).

• Begin with a scale worth at 0%.
• Transfer ahead within the timeline and alter the worth to 125%.
• Transfer ahead within the timeline and alter the worth to 110%.
• Transfer ahead within the timeline and alter the worth to 120%.
• Transfer ahead within the timeline and alter the worth to 100%.

Press Spacebar to preview your animation, and transfer the keyframes alongside the timeline to regulate.

Step 5: Add easing

Choose all of the keyframes after which choose Easy for each in and out to ease the keyframes.

Step 6: Animate the flicker animation 

Now create a smaller star with a lighter shade and place it on prime of the principle star form. Create a keyframe for the size and rotation (be sure that these keyframes are positioned after the animation of the bigger star is full).

• Begin with a scale worth at 0% and a rotation worth at 0°.
• Transfer ahead within the timeline and alter the worth to 100%.
• Transfer ahead within the timeline and alter the size worth to 0% and the rotation worth to 180°.

Step 7: Duplicate the flicker animation

Press Management-D to duplicate the flicker star animation and place it on different areas round the principle star. You could possibly additionally stagger the animation on the timeline to make the flicker animation extra fascinating.

Step 8: Modify keyframes if wanted

When you discover that the animation is just not working as you want (or if it is too sluggish/quick), be happy to maneuver the keyframes alongside the timeline to regulate the timing and the feel and appear of the Lottie animation. When you carry the keyframes nearer collectively, the animation will seem sooner. When you unfold them additional aside, the animation will seem slower.

Step 9: Create a shrinking animation

Return and choose the principle star, and transfer ahead within the timeline simply after the flicker animations with the small stars are completed. Create a brand new keyframe for the scale (ensuring it is nonetheless set at 100%), after which transfer ahead within the timeline once more. Make a brand new keyframe on this place and set the size to 0%. It will create a pleasant looping animation because the star seems and disappears each few seconds. Additionally, keep in mind to pick and ease the keyframes as we did beforehand.

Step 10: Export your Lottiefiles animation

Click on the Export button situated on the highest proper.

It will take you to a brand new window the place you may select to obtain a number of completely different codecs. Select the advisable Optimized dotLottie or Optimized Lottie JSON for the most effective outcomes to your Lottiefiles animation.

As soon as you have downloaded your Lottie animation, you may then use it to your tasks!

Create extra detailed Lottie animations

Making easy animations like these is a good way to get began. When you’re trying to create extra detailed customized Lottie animations utilizing Lottiefiles, try this superior video for a step-by-step information on how to try this:

7. The place to seek out Lottie animations

In order that’s tips on how to make a Lottie animation! However should you want Lottie animation examples proper now, these are the most effective locations you could find them:

Envato (limitless downloads for a single price)

Envato is without doubt one of the greatest digital asset libraries on the market, and their Lottie animation assortment is large! A subscription will provide you with limitless entry to Lottie animations, inventory movies, fonts, templates, and extra. When you want a wide range of digital belongings often, that is the place to be!

• Limitless downloads with a subscription
• 1000’s of premium Lottie animations
• Good for web sites, apps, advertising and marketing, and displays
• Comes with extra belongings like UI kits, templates, and movement graphics

LottieFiles (the most effective all-in-one platform)

LottieFiles is without doubt one of the finest locations to seek out, obtain, and customise Lottie animations. When you want one thing fast, simply search their free animations, and you’ll even tweak them within the LottieFiles Editor!

• 1000’s of free & premium animations
• Simple customization instruments (change colours, velocity, loop settings, and so on.)
• Direct integrations with Figma, Adobe, and extra

Icons8 Lottie (high-quality animated icons)

Icons8 is one other nice supply, particularly should you want animated icons for UI/UX design.

• Good for web sites, apps, and digital merchandise
• Smooth, trendy designs

8. Greatest practices for creating Lottie animations

Preserve it light-weight

One of many greatest benefits of Lottie is its small file measurement, however that solely works should you optimize your animations.

• Stick with vector shapes (keep away from raster photographs like PNGs or JPEGs).
• Use fewer layers (complicated animations with too many objects can get heavy).
• Don’t go overboard with results (some After Results results aren’t supported in Lottie).

Professional Tip: Earlier than exporting, optimize your file utilizing the LottieFiles Optimizer to scale back file measurement with out dropping high quality.

Use supported After Results options

Not each impact in After Results interprets effectively to Lottie. To keep away from points:

• Use form layers as an alternative of imported photographs (vectors scale higher).
• Stick with easy animations (place, scale, rotation, opacity).
• Keep away from 3D layers, masks, and sure blurs (Lottie doesn’t all the time assist them).

Professional Tip: Examine the Bodymovin plugin preview earlier than exporting. It will inform you if any a part of your animation gained’t work in Lottie.

All the time check earlier than going reside

Nothing’s worse than an animation that appears nice within the app however breaks on-line. Earlier than finalizing:

• Add and preview your Lottie animation on LottieFiles.com.
• Check it in internet, cellular, and app environments to ensure it really works easily.
• If one thing appears off, tweak and export once more till it’s good.

Conclusion

So now you already know what a Lottie file is, in addition to tips on how to create and use it! Lottie animations make it straightforward so as to add easy, high-quality animations with out slowing something down. No extra clunky GIFs or heavy video information—simply clear, scalable animations that work in every single place. Whether or not it’s a enjoyable button impact, a slick loading display screen, or a tiny element that makes an app really feel polished, Lottie simply does it higher.

When you’re new to Lottie, now’s the right time to leap in and mess around. Browse and obtain animations on LottieFiles or Envato, tweak them within the Lottie Editor, or attempt making your personal. It is critically among the best methods to carry your designs to life. And when you begin utilizing it, you will not wish to cease!