Does Dithering work in Next.js App Router?

Yes. The component includes the `'use client'` directive and uses `useGSAP` for proper cleanup across Server Component re-renders. Drop it into any page or component inside `app/`.

Does Dithering work with Server Components?

The component itself runs on the client (it needs the DOM for GSAP), but the parent page can be a Server Component. Import the component normally; React's "use client" boundary handles the rest. No additional configuration needed.

Does Dithering work in React 18 and React 19?

Yes. The component uses `useGSAP` which is React-version-agnostic. It also handles Strict Mode double-invocation correctly via `gsap.context` scoping.

Will the animation flash before hydration?

Brief flash is possible on first paint because GSAP needs the client to initialize. The component sets the parked ("starting") state via `gsap.set` on mount before the first frame, so any visible jump is sub-frame and rarely perceived. For above-the-fold use, pair with a CSS opacity:0 default that the component clears on mount.

GSAP component for React

Dithering in React.

Turns any image or video into two colours of little dots, with a lens that follows your cursor and fills the dots back in with the real colours underneath. A retro, 1-bit print look for hero images and video backdrops.

Install

Install Dithering in your React project

Dithering ships as a copy-paste React component. The only dependencies are GSAP and the official @gsap/react adapter for the useGSAP hook. Both work in Next.js (App Router and Pages), Vite, Remix, and Create React App.

BASH

Integrate

Where it goes in your React app

Dithering is a leaf-level interactive component, so it needs to render on the client. In a Next.js App Router project, add the 'use client' directive at the top of the file (it's already there in the component you copy).

The component is self-contained: it manages its own refs, useGSAP scope, and cleanup. Mount it inside any Server Component, Client Component, or page. It does not require a provider or wrapper.

If your project uses TypeScript, the component is typed - the props it accepts match the data-anm-* attributes documented on the main detail page.

Gotchas

Needs three + gsap

This component dynamically imports three and uses gsap.ticker. Install both (three is a dependency, not just a peer) or the canvas never mounts.

WebGL context is torn down on unmount

The useEffect cleanup disposes the renderer/geometry/material and calls forceContextLoss(). Browsers cap WebGL contexts (~16), so do not strip the cleanup when editing.

CORS on the media

Set crossorigin="anonymous" on the img/video and serve it with CORS headers, or the texture upload taints the canvas and the shader renders black.

FAQ

Common questions

Does Dithering work in Next.js App Router?: Yes. The component includes the 'use client' directive and uses useGSAP for proper cleanup across Server Component re-renders. Drop it into any page or component inside app/.
Does Dithering work with Server Components?: The component itself runs on the client (it needs the DOM for GSAP), but the parent page can be a Server Component. Import the component normally; React's "use client" boundary handles the rest. No additional configuration needed.
Does Dithering work in React 18 and React 19?: Yes. The component uses useGSAP which is React-version-agnostic. It also handles Strict Mode double-invocation correctly via gsap.context scoping.
Will the animation flash before hydration?: Brief flash is possible on first paint because GSAP needs the client to initialize. The component sets the parked ("starting") state via gsap.set on mount before the first frame, so any visible jump is sub-frame and rarely perceived. For above-the-fold use, pair with a CSS opacity:0 default that the component clears on mount.

Copy the React code

The full React implementation lives on the component page, with the live demo, every format side by side, and the ability to edit and re-run it in the browser.

Open Dithering

Dithering in React.

Install Dithering in your React project

Where it goes in your React app

Common questions

Copy the React code

Every component, in every framework.