Advanced CSS3 Tutorial 9: 2D Transforms

A transform is an effect that lets an element change shape, size and position.
You can transform your elements using 2D or 3D transformation.

Support

Internet Explorer 9 requires the prefix -ms-.
Firefox requires the prefix -moz-.
Chrome and Safari requires the prefix -webkit-.
Opera requires the prefix -o-.

2D Transforms

The translate() Method
With the translate() method, the element moves from its current position, depending on the parameters given for the left (X-axis) and the top (Y-axis) position:

div
{
transform: translate(50px,100px);
-ms-transform: translate(50px,100px); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: translate(50px,100px); /* Safari and Chrome */
-o-transform: translate(50px,100px); /* Opera */
-moz-transform: translate(50px,100px); /* Firefox */
}

The value translate(50px,100px) moves the element 50 pixels from the left, and 100 pixels from the top.

The rotate() Method

With the rotate() method, the element rotates clockwise at a given degree. Negative values are allowed and rotates the element counter-clockwise.

div
{
transform: rotate(30deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(30deg); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: rotate(30deg); /* Safari and Chrome */
-o-transform: rotate(30deg); /* Opera */
-moz-transform: rotate(30deg); /* Firefox */
}

The value rotate(30deg) rotates the element clockwise 30 degrees.

The scale() Method

With the scale() method, the element increases or decreases the size, depending on the parameters given for the width (X-axis) and the height (Y-axis):

div
{
transform: scale(2,4);
-ms-transform: scale(2,4); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: scale(2,4); /* Safari and Chrome */
-o-transform: scale(2,4); /* Opera */
-moz-transform: scale(2,4); /* Firefox */
}

The value scale(2,4) transforms the width to be twice its original size, and the height 4 times its original size.

The skew() Method

With the skew() method, the element turns in a given angle, depending on the parameters given for the horizontal (X-axis) and the vertical (Y-axis) lines:

div
{
transform: skew(30deg,20deg);
-ms-transform: skew(30deg,20deg); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: skew(30deg,20deg); /* Safari and Chrome */
-o-transform: skew(30deg,20deg); /* Opera */
-moz-transform: skew(30deg,20deg); /* Firefox */
}

The matrix() Method
The matrix() method combines all of the 2D transform methods into one.
The matrix method take six parameters, containing mathematic functions, which allows you to: rotate, scale, move (translate), and skew elements.

div
{
transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0);
-ms-transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0); /* IE 9 */
-moz-transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0); /* Firefox */
-webkit-transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0); /* Safari and Chrome */
-o-transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0); /* Opera */
}