Developer guide

React animation library for interface transitions

A React animation library provides reusable transition patterns for content entry, navigation, data changes, media reveals, and interactive feedback. This guide groups Spectrum UI examples by what the animation communicates rather than treating every moving component as the same interaction.

Some linked components use Motion, while others combine SVG, CSS, pointer input, or Three.js. Check the Technologies and Accessibility sections on each component page before adopting its implementation.

What Animation Library means

Interface animation includes more than control-state transitions. It can stage a chart, reveal media, preserve continuity when a drawer opens, explain hierarchy in a bento layout, or direct attention through a testimonial sequence.

The implementation choice should follow the visual property and interaction. Transform and opacity are usually cheaper than layout animation, while canvas or 3D work needs separate performance and input testing. A copied example remains a starting point, not a guarantee for every content size or device.

When to use these patterns

01

A layout change needs context

Use a transition to preserve continuity when content enters, leaves, expands, or moves between regions.

02

Data should reveal progressively

Chart and progress animation can establish reading order when it does not obscure the final values.

03

A marketing sequence needs pacing

Text, card, media, and testimonial reveals can establish emphasis when their timing respects reduced-motion preferences.

Render the animated chart as a client leaf

The installed chart owns its animation; the surrounding route can remain a Server Component.

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @spectrumui/animated-SVG-chart
import { Chart } from '@/components/spectrumui/animatedemo';

export default function AnalyticsPage() {
  return (
    <section aria-labelledby="revenue-chart">
      <h2 id="revenue-chart">Revenue trend</h2>
      <Chart />
    </section>
  );
}

Animation Library questions

Motion components focus on stateful controls and gestures. This broader animation collection also covers content staging, media reveals, charts, navigation, and page-section transitions.