Chapter 5. Scriptaculous Effects
This chapter covers
- Obtaining and setting up Scriptaculous
- Using Scriptaculous core and combination effects
- Customizing Scriptaculous effects
Special effects can add pizzazz and excitement to any feature movie from the Hollywood film machine. But if overdone, poorly executed, or used in lieu of essential elements like plot and characterization, effects can also lead to the utter ruin of an action flick. Just take a look at what’s in the dollar DVD bin of your local discount store if you need convincing. Likewise, adding animation effects to your web application is a double-edged sword that must be wielded carefully.
Animation effects can reinforce a message, clarify a user interface paradigm, and even entertain. But they can just as easily cloud the interaction, distract the user, and annoy your visitors. Properly utilized, animation effects should emphasize the message of the site, clarify or reinforce the user interaction, or mildly entertain (bearing in mind that something that’s mildly entertaining on first viewing might become stupefyingly tedious after that).