Skip to main content
The shader transitions package adds GPU-accelerated scene-to-scene transitions to HyperFrames compositions. It captures scene samples, uploads them as WebGL textures, and drives fragment-shader compositing from a GSAP timeline. 
npm install @hyperframes/shader-transitions
You can also load the browser global build directly: 
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@hyperframes/shader-transitions/dist/index.global.js"></script>

​
When to Use

Use @hyperframes/shader-transitions when you need to:
  • Add shader-based scene transitions such as domain warp, whip pan, glitch, iris, light leak, or thermal distortion
  • Attach GPU transitions to an existing GSAP timeline
  • Build a transition picker or validation UI around the available shader registry
  • Feature-detect native HTML-in-canvas capture support
  • Use the producer’s deterministic page-side compositor for render-mode captures
Use a different package if you want to:
  • Render the finished composition to video - use the CLI or producer
  • Edit composition structure programmatically - use sdk
  • Build a visual editor surface - use studio

​
Package Exports

ImportDescription
init()Creates or augments a GSAP timeline with shader transitions
SHADER_NAMESArray of supported shader names for validation and UI pickers
isHtmlInCanvasCaptureSupported()Feature-detects Chrome’s native HTML-in-canvas capture path
installPageSideCompositor()Installs the render-mode compositor used by the producer path
isPageSideCompositingSupported()Checks whether page-side shader compositing is available

​
Quick Start

import { init } from "@hyperframes/shader-transitions";

const timeline = init({
  bgColor: "#0a0a0a",
  accentColor: "#ff6b2b",
  scenes: ["scene-1", "scene-2", "scene-3"],
  transitions: [
    { time: 3, shader: "domain-warp", duration: 0.8 },
    { time: 8, shader: "light-leak", duration: 0.7 },
  ],
});

window.__timelines ??= {};
window.__timelines.hero = timeline;
Pass an existing GSAP timeline when the composition already owns the animation sequence: 
const timeline = gsap.timeline({ paused: true });
timeline.from("#headline", { opacity: 0, y: 40, duration: 0.6 });

init({
  bgColor: "#000000",
  scenes: ["intro", "demo", "outro"],
  transitions: [
    { time: 5, shader: "cinematic-zoom" },
    { time: 12, shader: "glitch", duration: 0.5 },
  ],
  timeline,
});
If WebGL is unavailable, the package falls back to normal timeline playback without shader compositing.

​
Available Shaders

ShaderDescription
domain-warpOrganic noise-based warp with a glowing edge
ridged-burnRidged noise burn with sparks and heat glow
whip-panHorizontal motion blur simulating a fast camera pan
sdf-irisCircular iris wipe with a glowing ring edge
ripple-wavesConcentric ripple distortion radiating from center
gravitational-lensWarping gravity well with chromatic aberration
cinematic-zoomRadial zoom blur with chromatic fringing
chromatic-splitRGB channel separation expanding from center
glitchDigital glitch with block displacement and scanlines
swirl-vortexSpiral rotation with noise-based warping
thermal-distortionHeat shimmer rising from the bottom
flash-through-whiteFlash to white, then reveal the next scene
cross-warp-morphNoise-driven morph blending both scenes
light-leakWarm cinematic light leak with lens flare
Use SHADER_NAMES when you need a typed list: 
import { SHADER_NAMES } from "@hyperframes/shader-transitions";

​
Configuration

type TransitionConfig = {
  time: number;
  shader?: string;
  duration?: number;
  ease?: string;
};

type HyperShaderConfig = {
  bgColor: string;
  accentColor?: string;
  scenes: string[];
  transitions: TransitionConfig[];
  timeline?: gsap.core.Timeline;
  compositionId?: string;
  previewCaptureFps?: number;
};
shader is optional. Omit it to use a CSS fallback transition at that point in the timeline.

​
Preview and Render Behavior

Browser previews pre-capture transition samples and cache matching snapshots in IndexedDB. Cache keys include the composition ID, scene DOM/style signatures, timing, capture FPS, scale, and dimensions, so normal page refreshes can reuse samples while runtime edits invalidate only adjacent transition caches. During producer renders, shader transitions use a deterministic page-side compositor instead of preview-time snapshot caching. That keeps frame capture seek-driven and avoids depending on wall-clock playback.

@hyperframes/producer

Renders compositions that include shader transitions.

Transition Catalog

Browse installable transition blocks built on the shader system.