Adding Framer Motion Page Transitions to Next.js App Router

Use Case

Designers who code would want to use this resource to enhance the user experience of their Next.js applications by adding smooth and visually appealing page transitions. This tutorial provides a solution to a common challenge in integrating Framer Motion with Next.js App Router, allowing designers to create more engaging and polished web interfaces.

Overview

This article provides an invaluable resource for designers who code, especially those working with Next.js and seeking to enhance their applications with smooth page transitions. Here's why it's a valuable bookmark:

Solves a Common Problem: The guide addresses a significant challenge in implementing page transitions with Framer Motion in Next.js applications using the App Router. This is a frequent issue that many developers encounter, making this solution highly relevant.
Detailed Implementation: The article offers a step-by-step approach to creating a LayoutTransition component and implementing the necessary hooks and components. This level of detail allows designers to follow along easily and implement the solution in their own projects.
Explanation of Concepts: The author doesn't just provide code snippets but also explains the underlying concepts and reasons behind each part of the solution. This helps designers understand the "why" behind the implementation, fostering a deeper understanding of the technologies involved.
Integration of Multiple Technologies: The guide demonstrates how to effectively combine Next.js, Framer Motion, and React hooks to create a seamless user experience. This integration of different technologies is particularly valuable for designers who code and want to leverage multiple tools in their projects.
Performance Considerations: By addressing the issue of unnecessary component unmounting and remounting, the solution ensures that the page transitions are not only visually appealing but also performant. This attention to both aesthetics and performance is crucial for creating high-quality web applications.
Customizability: The provided solution is flexible and can be easily customized to fit different design needs. Designers can adjust the transition effects by modifying the props passed to the LayoutTransition component.
Up-to-date Information: The article uses recent versions of Next.js and Framer Motion, ensuring that the information is relevant for current projects.
Practical Application: The guide provides a real-world solution to a specific problem, making it immediately applicable to ongoing projects. Designers can implement this solution to enhance their existing Next.js applications or use it as a foundation for new projects.

By bookmarking this resource, designers who code gain access to a comprehensive guide that not only solves a specific technical challenge but also provides insights into working with modern web technologies. It serves as both a practical tutorial and a reference for implementing advanced user interface features in Next.js applications.

How to Use

Install Framer Motion in your Next.js project:
```
bun add framer-motion
```
Create a LayoutTransition component as described in the article.
Implement the usePreviousValue hook and FrozenRouter component to manage router context.

Use the LayoutTransition component in your layout files to add page transitions:

import { LayoutTransition } from "@/components/layout-transition";

export default function RootLayout({ children }) {
  return (
    <html lang="en">
      <body>
        <LayoutTransition
          initial={{ opacity: 0 }}
          animate={{ opacity: 1 }}
          exit={{ opacity: 0 }}
        >
          {children}
        </LayoutTransition>
      </body>
    </html>
  )
}

Customize the transition effects by modifying the initial, animate, and exit props of the LayoutTransition component.