Responsive Web Design with HTML5 and CSS3, Second Edition

CSS3 2D transforms

Despite sounding similar, CSS transforms are entirely different to CSS transitions. Think of it like this: transitions smooth the change from one state to another, while transforms are defining what the element will actually become. My own (admittedly childish) way of remembering the difference is like this: imagine a transformer robot such as Optimus Prime. When he has changed into a truck he has transformed. However, the period between robot and truck is a transition (he's transitioning from one state to another).

Obviously, if you have no idea who or what Optimus Prime even is, feel free to mentally discard the last few sentences. Hopefully all will become clear momentarily.

There are two groups of CSS3 transforms available: ...