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wtf is matrix.js?

yyx990803/matrix.js — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2013-04-01

★ 59JavaScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 2/5DormantSetup · easy

TL;DR

Matrix.js is a lightweight JavaScript library for adding 3D CSS effects and animations to a webpage, handling the 3D math so you can rotate, tilt, and move elements without a full graphics engine.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      3D CSS transforms
      Rotate and tilt elements
      Handles matrix math
    Tech stack
      JavaScript
      CSS
      HTML
    Use cases
      Interactive product showcase
      Scroll-triggered animation
      Mouse-tilt image gallery
    Audience
      Web developers
      Frontend developers
    Selling point
      Lightweight
      No WebGL needed
      No game engine

Code map

Detail Auto

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filefunction / class

Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Build an interactive product showcase where users can rotate a 3D model with the mouse.

REASON 2

Create scroll-triggered animations where page elements fly in from different depths.

REASON 3

Design an image gallery where photos tilt in 3D as the user moves their cursor.

What's in the stack?

JavaScriptCSSHTML

How it stacks up

yyx990803/matrix.jsandrewrk/mcserveangais/fable5-mc
Stars595959
LanguageJavaScriptJavaScriptJavaScript
Last pushed2013-04-012013-04-10—
MaintenanceDormantDormant—
Setup difficultyeasymoderateeasy
Complexity2/53/52/5
Audiencedeveloperops devopsdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

README is light on specific feature and limitation details.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Help me use matrix.js to make an HTML element spin in 3D when a user hovers over it.
Prompt 2
Show me how to build a mouse-tilt parallax gallery using matrix.js instead of WebGL.
Prompt 3
Explain how matrix.js applies 3D CSS transforms without me writing transformation matrices myself.
Prompt 4
Add a scroll-triggered 3D fly-in animation to my page using matrix.js.

Frequently asked questions

wtf is matrix.js?

Matrix.js is a lightweight JavaScript library for adding 3D CSS effects and animations to a webpage, handling the 3D math so you can rotate, tilt, and move elements without a full graphics engine.

What language is matrix.js written in?

Mainly JavaScript. The stack also includes JavaScript, CSS, HTML.

Is matrix.js actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2013-04-01).

How hard is matrix.js to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is matrix.js for?

Mainly developer.

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