Everything you need to know about Parallax
1. What is parallax?
If you are looking for a definition of parallax, here it goes. As far as the web (especially design) industry is concerned, parallax is the arrangement/animation of images in a way that lets you feel the distance between them.
For example, imagine that you are looking through the window of a moving vehicle. You will see the objects closer to you moving faster compared to the distant ones. The sun stays still while the trees, buildings and other objects move.
In this post I would like to walk you through different posts, examples and tutorials that would help you achieve this effect.
This technique was initially used in 2d video games and now mostly seen in single page portfolio websites and website headers.
2. Parallax in use
I would like to show you a few hand-picked websites that uses parallax before I proceed.
Eric J – This is one of my favorite websites using Parallax in the way it should be. The motion of the wheel and the smoke that comes out of the silencer as the scooter moves adds up to the parallax feel.
Markus Neidel – This is an awesome 3d vertical parallax (flash).
Silverback – To see the effect in this site, you would have to resize your browser window and notice the header region.
Umaghet Zeggen – All you need to do is move your mouse (towards any direction).
Squaredeye – Resize your browser window and notice the movement of clouds in the header. A css based parallax.
Dezignus – Move your mouse over the header region (towards any direction).
3. Now, how do I create Parallax?
Let’s see how to create this effect using javascript, flash and other frameworks.
Using JQuery
You’d probably be aware, I am a JQuery fan and for that reason I would like to first list down the methods using JQuery to achieve the Parallax effect.
These tutorials use jparallax – a jQuery plugin to create parallax
Create a Parallax Website Header
Using Mootools
Not familiar with JQuery huh? Here goes a tutorial that uses mParallax a mootools adaptation similar to jParallax.
Another demo using Mootools
Using Scriptaculous
This one uses scriptaculous another popular javascript framework.
Using Javascript – A Vertical Parallax
A vertical parallax based on javascript.
Using pure CSS
Unlike the ones above, this would work only when the user re-sizes the browser window. This is achieved using css positioning.
A tutorial on how to create the Silverback Parallax (shown above) using CSS.
Examples of and How to Create the CSS Parallax Effect
This is a really interesting one! A parallax illusion with CSS
Parallax using Flash
A step by step tutorial by webdesignerwall.
Creating parallax with flash cs4
Are you an AfterEffects freak?
If so, this tutorial is for you. Create a Realistic Camera Move with Parallax.
So, that’s all about Parallax. I hope this post was informative
Thanks
Sanjay Gupta
Thanks for this great intro about Parallax!!
cool site!
I’m always very impatient to read your new articles.
This one is like the others : fresh and very good for inspiration.
Thanks for sharing Gopal
Kind regards my friend
Thanks a lot for this article and the inclusion of the CSS Parallax Illusion on Marcofolio.net !