Summary & Key Takeaways ​

• SMIL is a method for animating SVGs directly within the <svg> element.
• It allows for complex animations without the need for JavaScript.
• The article serves as a blueprint for understanding and implementing SMIL animations.
• SMIL is described as an often-overlooked but powerful web platform feature.

Our Commentary ​

SMIL! I genuinely forgot this existed. It's one of those web platform features that just sits there, quietly powerful, while everyone reaches for JavaScript. It's a good reminder that sometimes the "old" ways are still perfectly valid, and often more performant for specific tasks. We appreciate Smashing Magazine digging into these less-trodden paths. It's a valuable addition to any web developer's toolkit.