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name: skill-136 description: Create animated visualizations using D3.js (v6) to bring data stories to life with motion and transitions.

D3.js Animated Visualization Skill

This skill allows you to create dynamic and animated visualizations using D3.js. The aim is to enhance the storytelling aspect of data by integrating animations and transitions that engage viewers and illustrate changes over time.

When to use

Activate this skill when the user asks for any of the following:

• "Create an animated chart or graph"
• "Show transitions between data states"
• "Visualize data evolution over time"
• "Make my visualization more engaging with motion"

If the user requires static visualizations or offline outputs, don’t proceed with this skill—opt for the D3.js Visualization Skill instead.

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Inputs you should expect

• One or more local data files: *.csv, *.json, or *.tsv
• Animation requirements:
  • Desired types of transitions (e.g., enter, update, exit)
  • Timing specifications (duration, delay)
  • Effects to apply (e.g., fade, slide, scale)
• Visualization preferences regarding dimensions, color schemes, and labeling

If details are missing, make reasonable defaults and document them in comments near the top of the output file.

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Outputs you should produce

Prefer producing all of the following when feasible:

1. dist/animated-visualization.html — standalone HTML that renders the animated visualization
2. dist/animated-visualization.js — JavaScript file containing the animation logic
3. (Optional) dist/animated-visualization.gif — if the task specifies a GIF output of the animation

Always keep outputs in a predictable folder (default: dist/), unless the task specifies paths.

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Animation principles (non-negotiable)

To create effective animated visualizations:

Animation guidelines

• Use smooth and natural transitions between states to maintain viewer engagement.
• Keep the duration of animations consistent and predictable to avoid disorientation.
• Ensure that animations enhance the comprehension of the data rather than distract from it.

Performance considerations

• Optimize animations to ensure they run smoothly even with large datasets; avoid heavy computations during transitions.

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Example Usage

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Animated Visualization</title>
    <script src="https://d3js.org/d3.v6.min.js"></script>
    <script src="dist/animated-visualization.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Animated Data Visualization</h1>
    <div id="animated-vis"></div>
</body>
</html>

This example shows how to set up an HTML file for displaying animated visualizations. The accompanying JavaScript file would contain the logic for managing animations based on the data provided.