SVG Animate

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a markup language used to create vector images. SVG images can be animated using the animate element, which allows for the creation of smooth and dynamic motion.

Basic Syntax

To use animate, you must first define the SVG element you want to animate. Once the element has been defined, you can add the animate element as a child element. Here is an example of using animate to change the x-coordinate of a rectangle:

<svg>
  <rect x="0" y="0" width="100" height="100" fill="red">
    <animate attributeName="x" from="0" to="200" dur="1s" fill="freeze" />
  </rect>
</svg>

In this example, the animate element changes the x attribute of the rect element from 0 to 200 over a duration of 1s. The fill attribute is set to freeze, which ensures that the final value of x is retained after the animation is complete.

Attribute Types

The animate element can animate a variety of attribute types, including numbers, colors, and transforms. Some of the most commonly used attribute types include:

• cx, cy, r (for circles and ellipses)
• x, y, width, height (for rectangles)
• points (for polygons and polylines)
• d (for path)

Here is an example of using animate to change the color of a circle:

<svg>
  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="25" fill="red">
    <animate attributeName="fill" to="blue" dur="1s" fill="freeze" />
  </circle>
</svg>

In this example, the animate element changes the fill attribute of the circle element from red to blue over a duration of 1s.

Other Attributes

In addition to the attributeName, from, to, and dur attributes used in the examples above, there are several other attributes that can be used with the animate element:

• begin - Specifies when the animation should start. Can be a time value or an event trigger.
• repeatCount - Specifies how many times the animation should repeat. Use "indefinite" for infinite repetitions.
• calcMode - Specifies the calculation mode for the animation. Can be "linear", "paced", "discrete", or "spline".
• keyTimes - Specifies the timing for each keyframe, as a comma-separated list of values between 0 and 1.
• keySplines - Specifies the easing function for each keyframe, as a comma-separated list of Bezier control points.

Conclusion

The animate element is a powerful tool for creating dynamic and engaging SVG animations. By combining animate with other SVG elements and attributes, you can create complex animations that respond to user interactions and events.