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Vanta.js Animated WebGL Backgrounds Skill

Guide to setting up, configuring, and integrating Vanta.js animated WebGL backgrounds, including React usage, resizing, and performance considerations.

Views

21

Uses

1

Updated

February 3, 2026

Author

MengTo
MengTo

Skill creator

Source

MengTo/Skills
Added by Aura community
web-designanimationreactnextjsperformancebest-practices
PropertyValue
namevantajs
descriptionUse when adding animated WebGL background effects with Vanta.js (setup, parameters, resizing, performance, integration in React/Next.js).
keywordsweb-design, animation, react, nextjs, performance, best-practices

Vanta.js — Animated WebGL Backgrounds Skill

When to use

  • Decorative animated backgrounds behind hero sections
  • You want “wow” quickly without building a full three.js scene
  • Lightweight integration into static sites or React/Vue

How it works

  • Vanta injects a canvas into a container element and renders an effect (many use three.js).
  • Typical usage: include three.min.js (or provide THREE) + one Vanta effect bundle.

Key APIs/patterns

  • Init:
    • const effect = VANTA.WAVES({ el: "#hero", ...options })
  • Update after init:
    • effect.setOptions({ color: 0xff88cc })
  • Resize:
    • effect.resize() (if container size changes)
  • Cleanup:
    • effect.destroy() (important in SPAs)

Common pitfalls

  • Container has no size → nothing visible
    • Ensure the target element has explicit width/height (or is laid out).
  • Multiple WebGL canvases on one page → GPU load
    • Keep to 1–2 effects/page.
  • Mobile/older GPU issues
    • Provide a fallback background color/image; consider disabling on small screens.
  • Bundling in frameworks
    • Some builds require window.THREE or passing THREE in options.

Quick recipes

1) Minimal waves background

<div id="hero" style="height: 70vh;"></div> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/three.js/r134/three.min.js"></script> <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vanta/dist/vanta.waves.min.js"></script> <script> const effect = VANTA.WAVES({ el: "#hero", color: 0x0b1220, shininess: 40, waveHeight: 16, zoom: 0.9 }); </script>

2) React cleanup pattern (concept)

  • Create effect in useEffect, store in ref, call destroy() on unmount.

What to ask the user

  • Which effect (waves, birds, fog, net, etc.) and brand colors?
  • Must it run on mobile? If yes, what’s acceptable FPS/quality?
  • Is it behind text (needs contrast/readability)?