// Tech

Locomotive Scroll for 3D Websites (Legacy)

Locomotive Scroll was the standard smooth-scroll library before Lenis took over — still fine on legacy projects, Lenis for new work.

Get a quote All 3D services

Locomotive Scroll was the dominant smooth-scroll library for premium web from 2018-2022. It still works but development has slowed and the API feels dated compared to Lenis. For new projects in 2026 I default to Lenis (smaller bundle, modern API, better Three.js integration). For maintaining existing Locomotive Scroll projects, the library is still functional — no urgent reason to migrate unless you're refactoring anyway. Migration path is straightforward: similar event model, similar scroll-event proxying.

How I work with it

On a typical project, locomotive scroll ships as a self-contained module: one entry-point JS file, one CSS file, asset bundle below 1.5MB total. I keep the integration sandboxed so the rest of the site stays SEO-friendly classical HTML. Frame budget targets 60 FPS on a mid-range Android, with a measurable fallback below.

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 locomotive scroll 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 locomotive scroll setup is overkill — a CSS-driven hero plus static images converts just as well at 1/10 the cost. locomotive scroll 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.

Frequently asked questions

Why pick this technology over alternatives?

It has the largest production-quality ecosystem, the most documentation, and the most experienced developers available. For a site you want to maintain for 3+ years, ecosystem maturity matters more than feature peak.

What if a newer tool comes out next year?

I track new tooling and migrate when it makes sense, but only after the new tool ships stable production releases for at least 6-9 months. I don't rebuild client sites on bleeding-edge tools — that's the path to broken sites.

How long does this take?

Standard scope: 4-6 weeks from contract signature to live site. Larger scope (configurator, multi-scene scrollytelling) takes 8-12 weeks. Rush projects (2-3 weeks) are accepted with a 30-40% rush surcharge.

What does it cost?

Hero-section 3D upgrade: \$1,500-\$2,500. Full multi-scene 3D site: \$3,500-\$8,000. Configurator with custom shaders: \$5,000-\$12,000. All fixed-price, source code included. EUR equivalents on request.

What if my visitors are on weak phones?

The site detects device tier before the first scene loads and serves a lighter version on weak hardware (fewer particles, simpler shaders). Devices without WebGL get a static fallback that preserves the visual language and conversion path.

Ready to ship a 3D experience?

Tell me what you need — fixed price, fixed deadline, no surprises.

Get a quote +381 61 224 8989