How to Boost the User Experience for React Native Application with Lottie?

Nowadays, many companies are relying on React Native for building online products and solutions. Why? It allows them to create robust and high-performing applications quickly and within the budget. All thanks to its excellent features and capabilities.

It is a leading cross-platform framework that creates mobile apps for both iOS and Android. The best thing is it maintains the native feel, look, and productivity. For this reason, React Native is a choice of several online brands like Facebook, Tesla, Airbnb, Skype, Walmart, Instagram, and Adidas Glitch.

If you want to animate the user interface of your React Native app, you have to use Lottie. React Native has animation capability from the beginning itself. With libraries like react-native-SVG and native component solution “Animated,” React Native can carry out GIF animations. But you may not get a similar look and feel as with Lottie.

Before hiring one of the best React Native app development companies, explore more about Lottie. What difference can it make to your app? How to set it up? To get the answers, read below. We will start from the basics.

• What is Lottie?

Developed by Airbnb, Lottie is a mobile library that enables developers to convert After Effects animations to the screen. It is a JSON-based single file format exported using the Bodymovin plugin. Because of its small size, Lottie can work on any device. Plus, you can scale it up or down without affecting the pixels.

Animation plays an essential role if you want your mobile app to gain a competitive edge. After all, dancing, jumping, moving, and spinning design elements offer a delightful user experience. In addition to this, it can help you bring attention to particular sections, such as a timer or a cart. With Lottie, you can implement animations into multiple platforms with ease.

If you are ready to incorporate Lottie in your React Native mobile app, here are the steps to consider.

• Adding Lottie to React Native: A complete guide
  
  
  • Initialization – The first step of the process is the initialization of a React Native app. For this, you should run the following command:
    
    expo init lottie-tutorial
     
  • Installing dependencies – You may use the following modules to install dependencies, such as:
    
    
    • For creating animations –elottie-react-native
    • Peer dependency to ensure graphics on iOS – lottie-ios
      
      npm install lottie-react-native lottie-ios@3.18
      
      
  • Assets – Once dependencies installation is done, the next step is getting the required asset files. You can also use your animations and export them using the Bodymovin plugin. However, we will utilize the directory of the Lottie Files. In this directory, you can access plenty of free animations, which can be exported to your project conveniently. As for now, you can use the Switch Toggle and the Lava Preloader animations. If you want to get your hands on these assets, follow the below-given steps, including:
    
    
    • Firstly, you have to download the desired files in JSON format.
      
    • After this, drag these files to the assets folder.
      
      
  • Importing animations from Lottie files – In this, you have to import a built-in animation from Lottie files into your application. It is simple to use and self-explanatory. Plus, it will tell you what to do with After Effects for Lottie. Did we mention it is lightweight with 26kb size? Hence, it is highly scalable and has numerous frame options.
    
    
    • Use the following command to import Animation from Lottie:
      
      import Animation from 'lottie-react-native';
      
      
    • To define an object using necessary animations, write this code:
      
      const animations: any = {
      conscheckedDone: require(‘../assets/animations/checked-done.json'),};
      
      
    • Now, add some styling to make it large ¼ of the viewport. For this, follow the command:
      
      const viewport: any = Dimensions.get('window');
      const styles: any = StyleSheet.create({
      checkedDone: {
      width: viewport.width / 4,
      height: viewport.width / 4,
      },
      });
      
      
    • It is time for preparing the reference for the animation. Run this command:
      
      private animationCheckedDone: any;
      
      
    • When you complete this, you need to place the animation in the actual component.
      
      ...
      public render(): JSX.Element {
      return (
      ...
      <View>
      <Animation
      ref={(animation: any) => animationCheckedDone = animation}
      loop={false}
      style={styles.checkedDone}
      source={animations.checkedDone}
      />
      </View>
      ...
      )
      }
      ...
      
      Please remember, Animation has four properties, and the ref is essential among all. After all, it helps in playing the animation.
      
      
    • Finally, you have to submit the login form to play the animation. You can do so using the autoPlay prop:
      
      <LottieView
      source={require("./assets/67313-lava-preloader.json")}
      autoPlay
      /* further code.. */
      
      A pro tip: Keep in mind that you should not display the animation all the time. Therefore, you have to set conditional styling for playing it in the appropriate situation.
      

The closing

Viola, you just learned how to add Lottie to your React Native app and improve its user experience. Working with Lottie is not only easy but also fun. Also, it is free, which means you need not worry about your budget. If you want to display beautiful and interactive animations, Lottie is your best bet. 

If you are searching for one of the leading react native app development companies, get in touch with SoftProdigy. We house a team of experts with the necessary experience, expertise, and in-depth knowledge.

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FAQs

1. How to create a Lottie file?

You can create a Lottie file using the following steps, such as:

• Prepare resources for importing into After Effects.
• Crafting animation in After Effects.
• Using Bodymovin plugin to export the JSON file.
• Project creation in Xcode and connect it to Lottie.
• Testing the animation.

2. Is Lottie free?

Yes, Lottie files are free to use and download. Plus, once you set it up, you can use it easily.

3. Who discovered the Lottie?

Airbnb discovered the Lottie, a mobile library that renders After Effects animation in iOS, Android, and React Native.

4. Can Lottie work with React?

Since Lottie is a high-quality JSON-based animation, it is compatible with multiple devices and technologies. These are iOS, Android, React, web browsers, and more.

5. Why the name “Lottie?”

The name Lottie drives from Charlotte ‘Lotte’ Reiniger, the pioneer of silhouette animation.

6. What are the advantages of using Lottie for React Native?

The primary benefit of using Lottie for your React Native application is animation. As a result, it boosts user experience. Plus, it reduces the loading time of your mobile app.