jQuery.animate() with css class only, without explicit styles.

Question

Using JQuery animate I would like to operate with css classes, defined somewhere in .css file, not to have to give all styles params to jquery.animate() explicitly.

I can create a fake (e.g. invisible) element with such a class, read its css properties and give them to jquery.animate() - does anybody know a better way?

Answer 1

Weston Ruther built a similar thing using the WebKit proposal for css transitions:

http://weston.ruter.net/projects/jquery-css-transitions/

This implementation might be useful for you.

Answer 2

Check out James Padolsey's animateToSelector

Intro: This jQuery plugin will allow you to animate any element to styles specified in your stylesheet. All you have to do is pass a selector and the plugin will look for that selector in your StyleSheet and will then apply it as an animation.

Answer 3

The jQueryUI provides a extension to animate function that allows you to animate css class.

edit: Example here

There are also methods to add/remove/toggle class which you might also be interested in.