/lightweight-3d-effects

name: lightweight-3d-effects
description: Lightweight 3D effects for decorative elements and micro-interactions using Zdog, Vanta.js, and Vanilla-Tilt.js. Use this skill when adding pseudo-3D illustrations, animated backgrounds, parallax tilt effects, decorative 3D elements, or subtle depth effects without heavy frameworks. Triggers on tasks involving Zdog pseudo-3D, Vanta.js backgrounds, Vanilla-Tilt parallax, card tilt effects, hero section animations, or lightweight landing page visuals. Ideal for performance-focused designs.

Lightweight 3D Effects Skill

Overview

This skill combines three powerful libraries for decorative 3D elements and micro-interactions:

• **Zdog**: Pseudo-3D engine for designer-friendly vector illustrations
• **Vanta.js**: Animated 3D backgrounds powered by Three.js/p5.js
• **Vanilla-Tilt.js**: Smooth parallax tilt effects responding to mouse/gyroscope

When to Use This Skill

• Add decorative 3D illustrations without heavy frameworks
• Create animated backgrounds for hero sections
• Implement subtle parallax tilt effects on cards/images
• Build lightweight landing pages with visual depth
• Add micro-interactions that enhance UX without performance impact

Zdog - Pseudo-3D Illustrations

Core Concepts

Zdog is a pseudo-3D engine that renders flat, round designs in 3D space using Canvas or SVG.

**Key Features:**

• Designer-friendly declarative API
• Small file size (~28kb minified)
• Canvas or SVG rendering
• Drag rotation built-in
• Smooth animations

Basic Setup

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <script src="https://unpkg.com/zdog@1/dist/zdog.dist.min.js"></script>
  <style>
    .zdog-canvas {
      display: block;
      margin: 0 auto;
      background: #FDB;
      cursor: move;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <canvas class="zdog-canvas" width="240" height="240"></canvas>

  <script>
    let isSpinning = true;

    let illo = new Zdog.Illustration({
      element: '.zdog-canvas',
      zoom: 4,
      dragRotate: true,
      onDragStart: function() {
        isSpinning = false;
      },
    });

    // Add shapes
    new Zdog.Ellipse({
      addTo: illo,
      diameter: 20,
      translate: { z: 10 },
      stroke: 5,
      color: '#636',
    });

    new Zdog.Rect({
      addTo: illo,
      width: 20,
      height: 20,
      translate: { z: -10 },
      stroke: 3,
      color: '#E62',
      fill: true,
    });

    function animate() {
      illo.rotate.y += isSpinning ? 0.03 : 0;
      illo.updateRenderGraph();
      requestAnimationFrame(animate);
    }
    animate();
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Zdog Shapes

**Basic Shapes:**

// Circle
new Zdog.Ellipse({
  addTo: illo,
  diameter: 80,
  stroke: 20,
  color: '#636',
});

// Rectangle
new Zdog.Rect({
  addTo: illo,
  width: 80,
  height: 60,
  stroke: 10,
  color: '#E62',
  fill: true,
});

// Rounded Rectangle
new Zdog.RoundedRect({
  addTo: illo,
  width: 60,
  height: 40,
  cornerRadius: 10,
  stroke: 4,
  color: '#C25',
  fill: true,
});

// Polygon
new Zdog.Polygon({
  addTo: illo,
  radius: 40,
  sides: 5,
  stroke: 8,
  color: '#EA0',
  fill: true,
});

// Line
new Zdog.Shape({
  addTo: illo,
  path: [
    { x: -40, y: 0 },
    { x: 40, y: 0 },
  ],
  stroke: 6,
  color: '#636',
});

// Bezier Curve
new Zdog.Shape({
  addTo: illo,
  path: [
    { x: -40, y: -20 },
    {
      bezier: [
        { x: -40, y: 20 },
        { x: 40, y: 20 },
        { x: 40, y: -20 },
      ],
    },
  ],
  stroke: 4,
  color: '#C25',
  closed: false,
});

Zdog Groups

Organize shapes into groups for complex models:

// Create a group
let head = new Zdog.Group({
  addTo: illo,
  translate: { y: -40 },
});

// Add shapes to group
new Zdog.Ellipse({
  addTo: head,
  diameter: 60,
  stroke: 30,
  color: '#FED',
});

// Eyes
new Zdog.Ellipse({
  addTo: head,
  diameter: 8,
  stroke: 4,
  color: '#333',
  translate: { x: -10, z: 15 },
});

new Zdog.Ellipse({
  addTo: head,
  diameter: 8,
  stroke: 4,
  color: '#333',
  translate: { x: 10, z: 15 },
});

// Mouth
new Zdog.Shape({
  addTo: head,
  path: [
    { x: -10, y: 0 },
    {
      bezier: [
        { x: -5, y: 5 },
        { x: 5, y: 5 },
        { x: 10, y: 0 },
      ],
    },
  ],
  stroke: 2,
  color: '#333',
  translate: { y: 5, z: 15 },
  closed: false,
});

// Rotate entire group
head.rotate.y = Math.PI / 4;

Zdog Animation

// Continuous rotation
function animate() {
  illo.rotate.y += 0.03;
  illo.updateRenderGraph();
  requestAnimationFrame(animate);
}
animate();

// Bounce animation
let t = 0;
function bounceAnimate() {
  t += 0.05;
  illo.translate.y = Math.sin(t) * 20;
  illo.updateRenderGraph();
  requestAnimationFrame(bounceAnimate);
}
bounceAnimate();

// Interactive rotation with easing
let targetRotateY = 0;
let currentRotateY = 0;

document.addEventListener('mousemove', (event) => {
  targetRotateY = (event.clientX / window.innerWidth - 0.5) * Math.PI;
});

function smoothAnimate() {
  // Ease towards target
  currentRotateY += (targetRotateY - currentRotateY) * 0.1;
  illo.rotate.y = currentRotateY;
  illo.updateRenderGraph();
  requestAnimationFrame(smoothAnimate);
}
smoothAnimate();

---

Vanta.js - Animated 3D Backgrounds

Core Concepts

Vanta.js provides animated WebGL backgrounds with minimal setup, powered by Three.js or p5.js.

**Key Features:**

• 14+ animated effects (Waves, Birds, Net, Clouds, etc.)
• Mouse/touch interaction
• Customizable colors and settings
• ~120KB total (including Three.js)
• 60fps on most devices

Basic Setup

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <style>
    #vanta-bg {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100vh;
    }
    .content {
      position: relative;
      z-index: 1;
      color: white;
      text-align: center;
      padding: 100px 20px;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div id="vanta-bg">
    <div class="content">
      <h1>My Animated Background</h1>
      <p>Content goes here</p>
    </div>