Update the background image every minute with a smooth transition effect

Question

Update the background image every minute with a smooth transition effect

I am currently in the process of developing a personal dashboard that requires dynamic background images to change every minute. To achieve this functionality, I have integrated the [Pixabay API][1] and formulated the following API request:

https://pixabay.com/api/?key=[my_key]f&q=nature&image_type=photo&orientation=horizontal&min_width=1920&min_height=1080&page=1&per_page=100

This API request returns an array of 100 elements, each containing various information such as image details, likes, views, and user information.

From this array, I randomly select one element, retrieve the largeImageURL, and set it as the background image of the dashboard with a semi-transparent overlay for better readability. This process is initiated within a setInterval function that runs every x milliseconds.

The code snippet for implementing this feature is:

setInterval(function(){
        $.post('getBackgroundImages.php', {  }, function(data) {
        var imageCollection = JSON.parse(data);
        var imageNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 100);
        var imageLink = imageCollection.hits[imageNumber].largeImageURL;
        $('body').css("background","linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,.3), rgba(0,0,0,.3)),url('"+imageLink+"')");
    });
},60000);

The 'getBackgroundImages.php' file simply outputs the content of the API request.

While the existing solution works, there is a brief period where the background turns grey before the new image is displayed, which is not visually appealing especially during frequent image changes. I am seeking advice on how to seamlessly transition between background images without the grey background flash.

One proposed solution involves displaying a blurred preview of the image before loading the full resolution version. However, I believe this workaround should not be necessary as the image has ample time to load before the background change occurs. I am open to adjusting the timing of the image change as long as it ensures a smooth transition without interruptions.

If anyone has suggestions on how to enhance this implementation, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thank you in advance! [1]:

javascript html jquery css background-image

Answer 1

Answer №1

One way to create an interesting visual effect is to switch between two background containers in your HTML code:

Markup:

<body>
    <div class='bg' id='firstBg'></div>
    <div class='bg' id='secondBg'></div>

    <...Your Content...>

</body>

CSS:

body {
    background: transparent;
}

.bg {
    position: fixed;
    left: 0;
    top: 0;
    width: 100vw;
    height: 100vh;
    background-position: center;
    z-index: -1;
    background-size: cover;
    transition: 3s ease-in;
}

#secondBg {
    display: none;
}

JavaScript:

setInterval(function(){
    $.post('updateBackgroundImages.php', {  }, function(data) {
        var imageCollection = JSON.parse(data);
        var imageNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 100);
        var imageLink = imageCollection.hits[imageNumber].largeImageURL;
        if ($('#firstBg').css('display') == 'none') {
            $('#firstBg').css('background-image', 'url('+imageLink+')');
            $('#firstBg').fadeIn();
            $('#secondBg').fadeOut();
        }
        else {
            $('#secondBg').css('background-image', 'url('+imageLink+')');
            $('#secondBg').fadeIn();
            $('#firstBg').fadeOut(); 
        }
    });
},60000);

Answer 2

One way to create an interesting visual effect is to switch between two background containers in your HTML code:

Markup:

<body>
    <div class='bg' id='firstBg'></div>
    <div class='bg' id='secondBg'></div>

    <...Your Content...>

</body>

CSS:

body {
    background: transparent;
}

.bg {
    position: fixed;
    left: 0;
    top: 0;
    width: 100vw;
    height: 100vh;
    background-position: center;
    z-index: -1;
    background-size: cover;
    transition: 3s ease-in;
}

#secondBg {
    display: none;
}

JavaScript:

setInterval(function(){
    $.post('updateBackgroundImages.php', {  }, function(data) {
        var imageCollection = JSON.parse(data);
        var imageNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 100);
        var imageLink = imageCollection.hits[imageNumber].largeImageURL;
        if ($('#firstBg').css('display') == 'none') {
            $('#firstBg').css('background-image', 'url('+imageLink+')');
            $('#firstBg').fadeIn();
            $('#secondBg').fadeOut();
        }
        else {
            $('#secondBg').css('background-image', 'url('+imageLink+')');
            $('#secondBg').fadeIn();
            $('#firstBg').fadeOut(); 
        }
    });
},60000);

Answer 3

Answer №2

With the help of @zero298's hint, I implemented the following solution:

<script>
function loadImages (images) {
  let loader = function (src) {
    return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
      let img = new Image();
      img.onload = function () {
        resolve(src);
      };
      img.onerror = function (err) {
        reject(err);
      };
      img.src = src;
    });
  };

  let loaders = [];
  images.forEach(function (image) {
    loaders.push(loader(image));
  });

  return Promise.all(loaders);
}

 function cycleImages (images) {
    let index = 0;
    setInterval(function() {
      $('body').css("background","linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,.3), rgba(0,0,0,.3)),url('"+images[index]+"')");
      index = (index + 1) % images.length;
    }, 28800000);
  }

$(function(){
    $.post('getBackgroundImages.php', {  }, function(data) {
        var imageCollection = JSON.parse(data);
        var imageNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 100);
        var imageLink = imageCollection.hits[imageNumber].largeImageURL;
        $('body').css("background","linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,.3), rgba(0,0,0,.3)),url('"+imageLink+"')");
    });
    $.ajax('getBackgroundImages.php',{
        success:function(data) {
            var parsed = JSON.parse(data);
            var images = parsed.hits;
            var imageUrls = [];
            images.forEach(function(item,index){
                imageUrls.push(item.largeImageURL);
            })
            loadImages(imageUrls).then(cycleImages).catch(function (err) {
                console.error(err);
            });
        }   
    });
});
</script>

This solution efficiently loads all images using Promises and displays them without delays. However, the transition between images is not as smooth as desired. Implementing transitions using jQuery's fade-to method resulted in fading out the page content along with the background image.

Modifying the page structure by adding more divs was challenging due to existing CSS rules like floating and positioning. Attempting to wrap all content in a div to apply a background image disrupted the layout.

In conclusion, while I am satisfied with this solution, any suggestions for achieving smoother image transitions are welcome!

Answer 4

With the help of @zero298's hint, I implemented the following solution:

<script>
function loadImages (images) {
  let loader = function (src) {
    return new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
      let img = new Image();
      img.onload = function () {
        resolve(src);
      };
      img.onerror = function (err) {
        reject(err);
      };
      img.src = src;
    });
  };

  let loaders = [];
  images.forEach(function (image) {
    loaders.push(loader(image));
  });

  return Promise.all(loaders);
}

 function cycleImages (images) {
    let index = 0;
    setInterval(function() {
      $('body').css("background","linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,.3), rgba(0,0,0,.3)),url('"+images[index]+"')");
      index = (index + 1) % images.length;
    }, 28800000);
  }

$(function(){
    $.post('getBackgroundImages.php', {  }, function(data) {
        var imageCollection = JSON.parse(data);
        var imageNumber = Math.floor(Math.random() * 100);
        var imageLink = imageCollection.hits[imageNumber].largeImageURL;
        $('body').css("background","linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,.3), rgba(0,0,0,.3)),url('"+imageLink+"')");
    });
    $.ajax('getBackgroundImages.php',{
        success:function(data) {
            var parsed = JSON.parse(data);
            var images = parsed.hits;
            var imageUrls = [];
            images.forEach(function(item,index){
                imageUrls.push(item.largeImageURL);
            })
            loadImages(imageUrls).then(cycleImages).catch(function (err) {
                console.error(err);
            });
        }   
    });
});
</script>

This solution efficiently loads all images using Promises and displays them without delays. However, the transition between images is not as smooth as desired. Implementing transitions using jQuery's fade-to method resulted in fading out the page content along with the background image.

Modifying the page structure by adding more divs was challenging due to existing CSS rules like floating and positioning. Attempting to wrap all content in a div to apply a background image disrupted the layout.

In conclusion, while I am satisfied with this solution, any suggestions for achieving smoother image transitions are welcome!

Update the background image every minute with a smooth transition effect

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

"Encountering issues with createReadStream function when handling large files, performance is significantly

Prevent clicking during transitions with Jquery Cycle

JQuery If Statement always outputs a consistent number regardless of the input provided

Prevent the utilization of <span> tags for line breaks to

Shifting an image to the corner using HTML and CSS

Sending properties within components using #createElement in React-Router is a convenient way to pass data locally

What is the functionality of the save callback in Mongoose?

Is there a way to pull information from a string and organize it into a two-dimensional array?

Is there a syntax problem with the jQuery (this).next() statement that is causing it to not

Ajax is failing to produce any source code at the moment

Having trouble with Angular 2's Output/emit() function not functioning properly

Struggling to align an element in HTML when used in columns?

Broken links detected in the Full Page Navigation menu on a one-page website

Learning how to replace the alert function with Bootbox

Tips for sending form data from ReactJS to controller in ASP.NET MVC:

What steps can be taken to prevent a "Flash of Unstyled Content" when using fixed-width cells in CSS Tables?

Callback function not being triggered in Jquery's getJson method

Using a button click to toggle the vue-ctk-date-time-picker in VueJS

What is the proper syntax for using an external JavaScript data source with jQuery UI autocomplete?

Is it possible to spread an empty array in JavaScript?