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Version: 5.3.2

withLoop

The withLoop modifier repeats an animation a specified number of times or infinitely. Perfect for loading indicators, pulsing effects, continuous animations, and any animation that needs to repeat.

Why Use withLoop?​

Loop animations are essential for:

  • Loading indicators - Continuous spinning, pulsing
  • Attention-grabbing - Subtle animations that draw the eye
  • Ambient effects - Background animations that add life
  • Status indicators - Pulsing, breathing effects

Basic Syntax​

withLoop(animation, iterations?, options?)

Parameters​

  • animation (required): The animation descriptor to repeat
  • iterations (optional): Number of times to repeat. Omit or use -1 for infinite
  • options (optional): Configuration object with callbacks

Simple Example​

Loop an animation infinitely:

import { useValue, withLoop, withSpring, animate } from 'react-ui-animate';

function MyComponent() {
  const [rotation, setRotation] = useValue(0);

  useEffect(() => {
    // Infinite rotation
    setRotation(withLoop(
      withSpring(360),
      -1 // Infinite
    ));
  }, []);

  return (
    <animate.div
      style={{
        rotate: rotation,
        width: 50,
        height: 50,
        background: '#60a5fa',
      }}
    />
  );
}

Real-World Examples​

Example 1: Loading Spinner​

Continuous rotation:

function LoadingSpinner() {
  const [rotation, setRotation] = useValue(0);

  useEffect(() => {
    setRotation(withLoop(
      withSpring(360, { stiffness: 200, damping: 0 }),
      -1 // Infinite
    ));
  }, []);

  return (
    <animate.div
      style={{
        rotate: rotation,
        width: 40,
        height: 40,
        border: '4px solid #e1e1e1',
        borderTop: '4px solid #3399ff',
        borderRadius: '50%',
      }}
    />
  );
}

Example 2: Pulsing Button​

Draw attention with a pulsing effect:

function PulsingButton() {
  const [scale, setScale] = useValue(1);

  useEffect(() => {
    setScale(withLoop(
      withSequence([
        withSpring(1.1, { stiffness: 200 }),
        withSpring(1, { stiffness: 200 }),
      ]),
      -1 // Infinite
    ));
  }, []);

  return (
    <animate.button
      style={{
        scale,
        padding: '12px 24px',
        backgroundColor: '#3399ff',
        color: 'white',
        border: 'none',
        borderRadius: 8,
      }}
    >
      Click me
    </animate.button>
  );
}

Example 3: Breathing Animation​

Subtle scale animation:

function BreathingCard() {
  const [scale, setScale] = useValue(1);

  useEffect(() => {
    setScale(withLoop(
      withSequence([
        withTiming(1.05, { duration: 2000 }),
        withTiming(1, { duration: 2000 }),
      ]),
      -1 // Infinite
    ));
  }, []);

  return (
    <animate.div
      style={{
        scale,
        width: 200,
        height: 200,
        background: '#60a5fa',
        borderRadius: 8,
      }}
    >
      Breathing card
    </animate.div>
  );
}

Example 4: Finite Loop​

Repeat a specific number of times:

function BounceAnimation() {
  const [y, setY] = useValue(0);

  const bounce = () => {
    setY(withLoop(
      withSequence([
        withSpring(50),
        withSpring(0),
      ]),
      3 // Repeat 3 times
    ));
  };

  return (
    <>
      <button onClick={bounce}>Bounce 3 Times</button>
      <animate.div
        style={{
          translateY: y,
          width: 100,
          height: 100,
          background: '#60a5fa',
        }}
      />
    </>
  );
}
Preview

Looping Different Animation Types​

You can loop any animation type:

// Loop a spring animation
setX(withLoop(withSpring(100), 5));

// Loop a timing animation
setX(withLoop(withTiming(100, { duration: 300 }), -1));

// Loop a sequence
setX(withLoop(
  withSequence([
    withSpring(50),
    withTiming(100),
    withSpring(150),
  ]),
  3
));

// Loop a decay (creates continuous motion)
setX(withLoop(withDecay(0.5), -1));

Using Callbacks​

Track loop progress:

function LoopWithCallbacks() {
  const [scale, setScale] = useValue(1);

  useEffect(() => {
    setScale(withLoop(
      withSequence([
        withSpring(1.1),
        withSpring(1),
      ]),
      5, // 5 iterations
      {
        onStart: () => {
          console.log('Loop started');
        },
        onComplete: () => {
          console.log('Loop completed (5 times)');
        },
      }
    ));
  }, []);

  return (
    <animate.div
      style={{
        scale,
        width: 100,
        height: 100,
        background: '#60a5fa',
      }}
    />
  );
}

Common Patterns​

Pattern 1: Infinite Rotation​

const [rotation, setRotation] = useValue(0);

useEffect(() => {
  setRotation(withLoop(
    withSpring(360, { stiffness: 200, damping: 0 }),
    -1
  ));
}, []);

Pattern 2: Pulsing Scale​

const [scale, setScale] = useValue(1);

useEffect(() => {
  setScale(withLoop(
    withSequence([
      withTiming(1.1, { duration: 1000 }),
      withTiming(1, { duration: 1000 }),
    ]),
    -1
  ));
}, []);

Pattern 3: Bouncing Animation​

const [y, setY] = useValue(0);

const bounce = () => {
  setY(withLoop(
    withSequence([
      withSpring(30, { stiffness: 300 }),
      withSpring(0, { stiffness: 300 }),
    ]),
    3 // Bounce 3 times
  ));
};

Pattern 4: Color Pulse​

const [brightness, setBrightness] = useValue(1);

useEffect(() => {
  setBrightness(withLoop(
    withSequence([
      withTiming(1.2, { duration: 1000 }),
      withTiming(1, { duration: 1000 }),
    ]),
    -1
  ));
}, []);

// Use in style
style={{
  filter: `brightness(${brightness})`,
}}

Best Practices​

✅ Do​

  • Use infinite loops for loading indicators and ambient effects
  • Use finite loops for attention-grabbing animations (3-5 times)
  • Keep looped animations subtle - they're always visible
  • Use withSequence inside loops for complex repeating patterns

❌ Don't​

  • Don't loop animations that are too fast or jarring
  • Don't use infinite loops for user-triggered actions
  • Don't forget to provide a way to stop infinite loops when needed
  • Don't loop layout properties - use transforms instead

Performance Tips​

  1. Loops are efficient - Optimized for continuous animations
  2. Use transforms - rotate, scale are GPU-accelerated
  3. Keep it simple - Simple looped animations perform better
  4. Consider stopping - Provide a way to stop infinite loops

Troubleshooting​

Animation doesn't loop:

  • Check that iterations is set correctly (-1 for infinite)
  • Verify the animation completes before looping

Loop feels janky:

  • Use transforms instead of layout properties
  • Simplify the animation inside the loop
  • Check for other heavy operations

Can't stop the loop:

  • Store the animation reference
  • Use a state variable to control when to loop
  • Consider using useEffect cleanup

Next Steps​