What are some ways to optimize a large JSON file from an exported image sequence in Webflow?
TL;DR
- Compress and minify the JSON file, simplify the animation by reducing keyframes and avoiding complex effects.
- Break animations into smaller segments, lazy load them with custom code, and host large files externally via CDN for better performance.
- If using image sequences, consider converting them to MP4/WebM videos instead of embedding in JSON.
Optimizing a large JSON file from an exported image sequence in Webflow is essential for performance and usability, especially if you’re using it for Lottie animations or data-driven visuals.
1. Use Compression Tools
- Compress the JSON file using online tools like https://lottiefiles.com/compress or desktop tools (e.g., Bodymovin Compressor).
- Compression reduces file size without affecting visual quality.
2. Simplify the Animation
- If using After Effects with the Bodymovin plugin:
- Reduce keyframe frequency where possible.
- Avoid unsupported or complex effects like raster images, expressions, motion blur, or 3D layers.
- Use vector shapes instead of heavy raster image sequences.
3. Break Into Smaller Animations
- Split the JSON into smaller animation segments if applicable.
- Load them conditionally using interactions or scroll triggers in Webflow.
- Reduces initial page load time and memory use.
4. Lazy Load the JSON
- Use custom code in Webflow to lazy load Lottie animations by delaying the fetch of the JSON until the animation is visible (e.g., via Intersection Observer in JavaScript).
- Helps reduce initial page weight.
5. External Hosting
- Host large JSON files on a CDN (e.g., AWS CloudFront, jsDelivr, or GitHub Pages).
- In Webflow’s Lottie animation settings, reference the externally hosted URL rather than uploading the asset directly.
6. Minify the JSON
- Use tools like https://jsonminify.com to remove extra spaces and line breaks.
- Webflow does some of this automatically, but externally minimizing ensures it's totally stripped.
7. Consider Alternative Rendering
- If you're exporting image sequences into JSON (vs. vector animations), Webflow may not be the optimal host. Consider:
- Converting sequences into compressed MP4 or WebM videos, then hosting via CMS or assets.
- Using raster-based animations only when vector approaches are not viable.
Summary
To optimize large JSON files in Webflow, compress and simplify your animation, minify the JSON, load assets lazily, and host externally for better performance. If using image sequences inside JSON, consider alternate formats like video for efficiency.