How to Recreate Hover Effects Using Webflow CMS

Are you keen to add captivating hover effects to your website using Webflow CMS but unsure where to start? In this comprehensive tutorial, we will walk you through the entire process of recreating the hover effect from an existing site using Webflow CMS.

Getting Started

To begin, let's add a collection list to the page and pull it from our works collection in the Webflow CMS. After selecting the item, ensure to give it a class of work_item. You'll need to apply some padding to the item, such as 7.5 em on the top and bottom. Inside the item, you can add a paragraph text that is pulled from the number field in the CMS and assign it the class of work_number.

Sorting and Styling

Next, apply a sorting order to the list, sorting it from oldest to newest based on the create date. Within the item, include a link block with a class of work_link. Inside this link block, add text pulled from the name field and give it the class of work_title. Adjust the style by giving it an appropriate font size and font.

To ensure the number and title are positioned side by side, select the item and apply flex. Additionally, provide some margin to the link block to space it apart from the number and title.

Styling the Titles and Images

Create two copies of the title and stack them on top of each other to achieve the desired effect. Select the link block and give it a relative position, then assign a combo class of is_one to the first title and is_two to the second. These combo classes should have position absolute, with one on top of the other.

For the image aspect, add a div inside the link block with a class of work_image_flex and set it to be position absolute, covering the entire link block with a high enough z-index to be on top of the text. Inside this div, add another div with the class of work_image and adjust its size accordingly.

Implementing Image Animation

The image should have a width of 27 em, and instead of specifying a height, leverage the aspect ratio trick by adding a div with the class of work_image_height inside the work image. Set the width of this div to 100% and a top padding of 130%. This padding is based on the width of the item, ensuring the height adjusts accordingly when the width varies. Insert an image element inside the height div and pull it from the image field in the CMS, giving it a class of work_photo.

To position the image correctly, it should be centered within the title. Apply flexbox to the work image flex to align it to the center and justify it towards the left.

Creating Hover Interactions

Once the basic structure is in place, it's time to introduce the hover effect. When the mouse moves over the work link, you should move the image by creating an interaction called "move_image." Make sure to apply this interaction only on desktop devices and use a noticeable lag to give a realistic feel to the movement.

Select the photo element and apply a move transform from 0% to 100% based on the width of the link. This ensures that the image responds to the movement of the mouse.

Setting Up Image Reveal Interactions

For the image reveal interaction, create an element trigger for mouse hover, applying it to the class only on desktop devices. This interaction will be triggered when hovering over the work link. Select the photo element and set its initial size to 0% height and 100% width, and then animate it to 100% width and 100% height with a slight delay to ensure the text animation takes precedence. Apply easing to achieve a smooth transition.

Additionally, include a hover out interaction to reverse the animation when the mouse leaves the work link, ensuring a seamless transition.

Implementing Letter Staggering Animation

For an extra element of sophistication, you can implement a letter staggering animation using custom code and GSAP library. By splitting the titles into words and characters and assigning them span tags, you can achieve the desired effect. Utilize GSAP's timeline feature to create a staggered animation for each set of characters, ensuring the animation plays smoothly and in sync with the hover effect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by following these detailed steps, you can recreate captivating hover effects using Webflow CMS. Combining visual design principles with interactive elements, you can enhance the user experience and make your website stand out. Experiment with different variations and unleash your creativity to create unique hover effects that resonate with your brand's identity. Happy designing!

With the comprehensive techniques outlined in this tutorial, you can confidently leverage Webflow's capabilities to create engaging hover effects that captivate your website visitors. From implementing basic structural elements to incorporating custom code for advanced animations, this tutorial provides a robust foundation for elevating the interactivity and visual appeal of your Webflow CMS-powered website. So, roll up your sleeves and let's get started on creating stunning hover effects!