Framer Motion 3D — React Animation for R3F
Framer Motion 3D bridges Framer Motion and React Three Fiber — declarative animations for 3D React components.
Framer Motion 3D is a Framer Motion extension that works with React Three Fiber. You wrap R3F components with motion-3d primitives and animate position, rotation, scale through the same `animate` and `transition` props you'd use on regular DOM motion components. Useful when your animation logic is React-state-driven (animate based on props/state) rather than timeline-driven (animate as part of a sequence). For simple state-reactive 3D animations in React projects, Framer Motion 3D is more idiomatic than GSAP. For complex scroll-driven sequences, GSAP still wins.
Performance budget
Lighthouse mobile target: 85+ across all categories. I measure on real devices, not just emulator. Asset compression: glTF + Draco for meshes, KTX2 for textures, Brotli for shaders. Lazy-load any framer motion scene that isn't above the fold so the first paint stays under 1.5s.
When this is overkill
If the goal is a simple e-commerce listing or content blog, a full framer motion setup is overkill — a CSS-driven hero plus static images converts just as well at 1/10 the cost. framer motion earns its keep when the brand needs a memorable visual moment or when 3D actually clarifies the product (configurators, tours, demos).
What you get hands-off
After delivery: source repository on GitHub (private), commented code, a 5-min Loom walkthrough explaining the scene logic, and the asset pipeline documented. First year of hosting and minor revisions is included. After that we agree on a maintenance plan if needed.
What this delivers
Concrete output: a working framer motion integration on a real production site, not a demo. The integration includes device-tier detection so weak phones get a lighter version automatically. Source files are handed over in their original formats — Blender, GLSL, glTF — so any future developer can continue where I stopped.
Frequently asked questions
Why pick this technology over alternatives?
What if a newer tool comes out next year?
How long does this take?
What does it cost?
What if my visitors are on weak phones?
Ready to ship a 3D experience?
Tell me what you need — fixed price, fixed deadline, no surprises.