Is learning GSAP without any js knowledge possible/meaningfull?
I think I don't fully understand what exactly GSAP is, but the animations it lets you create looks dope as hell. I know html and css on mid-level. I don't have any problem in Webflow whatsoever. But I want to level up with GSAP.
Is it possible or reasonable to learn GSAP without an js knowledge? What would you suggest?
8 Replies
hey @Spyroooooo I think GSAP is actually a great way to get started learning JS. It's good because it will constrain your goal and introduce a few important syntax concepts but not overwhelm. Also since you already comfortable with IX2, you should have a solid understanding of animation principles so you know WHAT you want GSAP to do.
GSAP is just a "tweening" library. That's a fancy word for saying if you want something to animate from state A to state B, GSAP calculates the intermediate values required to get you there.
the 'get started' learning center is a good place to start: https://greensock.com/get-started/
GreenSock
Getting Started with GSAP
Welcome! In this article we’re going to cover GSAP's core fundamentals and animate some HTML elements. If that’s not your end goal, don’t worry. Whatever you plan to animate, whichever framework you use - the techniques and principles covered here will serve you well. If you just want to jump in,...
they also have a specific webflow page: https://greensock.com/webflow/
GreenSock
Webflow x GSAP
Webflow is great! It's a super user-friendly no-code platform that allows you to build at the speed of thought... But sometimes, a little code can be the thing that takes your project to the next level. It seems like the Webflow community agrees. Take a look at all of these amazing Webflow sites ...
and the greensock forums are super helpful too. (extremely talented and friendly developers)
anyways... I'm a big fan of using GSAP to up your game + learn JS at the same time.
this is a cool post about getting started with JS with GSAP: https://greensock.com/forums/topic/14610-one-year-of-greensock-forum-participation-%E2%80%93-what-i%E2%80%99ve-experienced/
GreenSock
One year of GreenSock forum participation – what I’ve experienced
A GSAP tale: One goofy guy’s odyssey from knowing nothing to knowing just enough to confuse himself. (This is crazy long so feel free to jump to the epic conclusion). Greetings fellow GreenSockers. The end of this week marks the one-year anniversary of my first post on the forum so I thought I’d ...
the other difficult part about coding is setting up your "development environment." Often times tutorials will have extensions/tools installed and they don't explain it - so watch out for that. Start simple and build from there.
Lastly... I think the best way to learn is to build yourself. Carl at snorkly.tv has a ton of great videos going over the basics but the best way I've found is to try reverse engineering things you find fascinating/exciting.
Oh wow. Thanks a lot for the deep explanation man, I really do appreciate it. I'll definitely learn GSAP soon. And yeah, I'm pretty familiar with the logic behind IX2 for the most part. It's like I can animate pretty much anything in Webflow if I can formulate it in my mind.
Thanks a lot again. Cheers
** snorkl.tv
Let me know if you check him out - it’s already super affordable at $3/month but he might give you a discount if you tell him I sent you 😆