`cycle` property in .to(), .fromTo() and .from() calls

[Tahir Ahmed]

Hi guys,

 

I was wondering since `.to()`, `.from()` and `.fromTo()` also accept arrays, why is this `cycle` not available for them and only available to `.stagger...()` methods as of 1.18.0? I could definitely use that in other array-based methods e.g. `.set()`.

[GreenSock]

Hi Tahir! Well, there are some very specific (and important) reasons that "cycle" only works on the stagger methods and it'd take a while to explain. Suffice it to say that it's primarily a performance consideration as well as an effort to keep the file size of TweenLite minimized. Plus there are some mutability factors. Blah, blah...trust me, I considered it and the tradeoffs were just too costly from an architectural/performance standpoint. 

 

I really don't consider this much of a limitation, though, because you can always use one of the stagger methods and simply use a stagger value of 0. That'd be almost identical to doing a regular to() call. See what I mean? 

 

You could even simulate a set() like:

TweenMax.staggerTo([...], 0, {cycle:{...}});

(the default stagger value is 0 anyway, so you can just not pass that parameter in)

[Tahir Ahmed]

Hey! Thanks for the reply Jack.

 

Ah! yes of course. I think you are right about using `.stagger..()` methods with `0` duration as a replacement of `.set()` or with `0` stagger value for `.to()` (and other) calls. This has been one of the interesting things, at least for me, about GSAP that there always are numerous ways to achieve the same result.

 

`cycle` is a powerful addition for me and I just wondered why it wasn't part of the other calls. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

I suppose `.stagger..()` methods are soon to become my go-to method for a number of things because a lot of times, I am working with loops.

 

Thanks again for this very useful 1.18.0 update.

[Malak]

Hi guys,

when I tried to use cycle property didn't work and give me the warning in the console 
"Invalid property cycle set to {opacity: Array(2), y: Array(1), rotation: Array(1)} Missing plugin? "
what I should Import ?

[ZachSaucier]

@Malak Welcome to the GreenSock forums. In GSAP 3 the cycle plugin was replaced with the (better) wrap utility method.