CSS 3D Transforms - Perspective
CSS Perspective
To activate a 3D space, the element needs perspective. The perspective defines the distance between the user's viewpoint and the object.
A small value, like perspective: 200px;,
assumes that the user is close to the object and creates a strong 3D effect.
A large value, like perspective: 2000px;,
assumes that the user is far away from the object and creates a mild 3D effect.
Without perspective, any 3D transforms will look flat and two-dimensional.
A perspective can be added in two ways:
- With the
perspectiveproperty - With the
perspective()function
Using the perspective Property
The perspective property is set on the parent element,
and each child will share the same 3D space.
Example
.container {
width: 180px;
height: 180px;
border:
1px solid lightgray;
margin: 30px;
perspective: 500px; /*
set perspective on parent element */
}
.box {
width:
100%;
height: 100%;
background-color: green;
transform: rotateY(45deg);
}
Try it Yourself »
Using the perspective() Function
The perspective() function is used to directly apply a 3D transform
to a single element:
Example
.container {
width: 180px;
height: 180px;
border:
1px solid lightgray;
margin: 30px;
}
.box {
width:
100%;
height: 100%;
background-color: green;
/* perspective function in transform property */
transform: perspective(500px) rotateY(45deg);
}
Try it Yourself »
Both of the examples above produce the same result.
However: When you put the perspective property on a parent element, each child will share the same 3D space,
while the perspective() function is used to directly apply a 3D transform
to a single element.
CSS Transform Properties
The following table lists all the 3D transform properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| transform | Applies a 2D or 3D transformation to an element |
| transform-origin | Allows you to change the position on transformed elements |
| transform-style | Specifies how nested elements are rendered in 3D space |
| perspective | Specifies the perspective on how 3D elements are viewed |
| perspective-origin | Specifies the bottom position of 3D elements |
| backface-visibility | Defines whether or not an element should be visible when not facing the screen |
CSS 3D Transform Functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| matrix3d() | Defines a 3D transformation, using a 4x4 matrix of 16 values |
| translate3d() | Defines a 3D translation |
| translateZ() | Defines a 3D translation, using only the value for the Z-axis |
| scale3d() | Defines a 3D scale transformation |
| scaleZ() | Defines a 3D scale transformation by giving a value for the Z-axis |
| rotate3d() | Defines a 3D rotation |
| rotateX() | Defines a 3D rotation along the X-axis |
| rotateY() | Defines a 3D rotation along the Y-axis |
| rotateZ() | Defines a 3D rotation along the Z-axis |
| perspective() | Defines a perspective view for a 3D transformed element |
