What rendering issue are they experiencing in Webflow with their Lottie animation?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Rendering issue with Lottie animation in Webflow

One common rendering issue that users may experience in Webflow with their Lottie animations is a discrepancy between the animation preview in the Webflow designer and the actual rendered animation on the live site. This issue occurs when there is a mismatch between the Webflow designer's rendering engine and the browser's rendering engine.

To elaborate on this issue, here are some potential reasons and solutions:

  1. Browser compatibility: Different web browsers may handle animations differently, resulting in variations in rendering. A Lottie animation might appear smooth and fluid in one browser but choppy or distorted in another. Ensure that the Lottie animation being used is compatible with all major web browsers, and consider testing the animation in multiple browsers to identify any compatibility issues.

  2. Webflow Designer preview vs. live site rendering: The Webflow Designer uses its own rendering engine to preview Lottie animations, which may not perfectly match the rendering engine used by the browser on the live site. This discrepancy can lead to variations in the way the animation appears during preview versus after publishing. To tackle this, compare the live version of the site in different browsers to see if the issue persists across all browsers or only in specific ones.

  3. Incorrect animation implementation: Improper implementation of Lottie animations can also cause rendering issues. Ensure that the Lottie animation files are properly integrated into Webflow, and all associated scripts and dependencies are correctly added. Double-check the animation dimensions, positioning, and any interactions or effects applied to it. Additionally, consider resizing the animation and optimizing it for web delivery to improve performance and stability.

  4. Performance and optimization: Heavy or complex Lottie animations can strain the browser's rendering capabilities, resulting in rendering issues. Optimize the animation's performance by reducing its file size, simplifying its design, or breaking it into smaller components if possible. For larger animations, consider using the lazy loading technique to load the animation only when it comes into view, which can alleviate rendering issues caused by the animation's size.

  5. Cache and refresh: Sometimes, outdated or cached files can interfere with the correct rendering of Lottie animations. Clear the cache of the browser or use the browser's hard refresh option (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + R) to ensure that the latest version of the animation is being loaded.

By investigating these potential causes and implementing the corresponding solutions, users can address rendering issues with Lottie animations in Webflow, ensuring a smooth and consistent experience for visitors to their websites.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I optimize Lottie animations for better performance in Webflow?
  2. What are the best practices for implementing Lottie animations in Webflow?
  3. How do I ensure cross-browser compatibility for Lottie animations in Webflow?