In this tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to add interactive animations like flying birds, floating globes, and dynamic waves that respond to mouse movement.
Step 1: Set Up Your Elementor Page
Create a new WordPress page and edit it with Elementor. Select a blank “Elementor Canvas” template for a full-screen effect. Add a section, set its height to 100VH (full viewport height), and give it a unique CSS ID like hero-banner in the Advanced tab.
Step 2: Choose Your Animation
Visit Vanta.js (a free 3D background library). Browse effects like Birds, Globe, Waves, or Clouds. Customize colors directly on their site to match your brand, then click to view the code for your chosen animation.
Step 3: Copy and Insert the Code
Copy the provided HTML/JavaScript snippet. Back in Elementor, drag an HTML widget into your section and paste the code. You’ll see two script links in the code—these need to be updated.
Step 4: Update the Script Links
Click each script link in the Vanta.js example to open it in a new tab. Copy the direct URL from your browser’s address bar, then replace the placeholder links in your HTML widget with these live URLs. This ensures the scripts load correctly.
Step 5: Connect the Animation to Your Section
In the pasted code, find the selector option (usually set to #your-element-selector). Change this to match your section’s CSS ID (e.g., #hero-banner). This tells the animation exactly where to display.
Step 6: Publish and Preview
Click publish and view your page! You should now see a fully interactive 3D animation enhancing your design. Repeat the process with any Vanta.js effect—simply swap the code in your HTML widget and update the selector.
Why This Method Works
Using Vanta.js with Elementor’s HTML widget gives you professional 3D effects without slowing down your site. It’s lightweight, customizable, and completely free—perfect for hero sections, backgrounds, or interactive dividers.
Ready to try it? For a visual walkthrough of each step, watch the complete tutorial video. Want more Elementor pro tips? Subscribe for weekly tutorials!
