Framer Carousel: Create Image Slider Effects

In web design, a key challenge is how to showcase multiple images or media clips efficiently within limited page space. The Carousel component is a common solution to this need. It enables switching between images or videos within a single area, presenting content to visitors in a more intuitive and dynamic way. Because its rotating presentation resembles a real-world merry-go-round, it’s called a “carousel.”

When designing and building websites with Framer, the Carousel component not only enhances visual hierarchy but also boosts user interaction—especially for product galleries, case portfolios, and promotional banners. This article will walk you through practical steps in the Framer editor to build a mouse-controlled image carousel, and then refine the design details so your page stands out both visually and interactively.

Position of the Framer Carousel Component

In the Framer editor, the Carousel component—just like other native components—is grouped under the “+” icon menu on the left toolbar. This menu serves as the main entry point for adding elements in Framer, covering basic shapes, interactive controls, multimedia components, and more.

Specifically, the Carousel component is located under the Interactive category. When you hover over the Interactive section, a panel expands on the right displaying all available interactive components. There you’ll find the Carousel icon and label. Simply drag it onto the canvas to create a carousel component that can be further configured and designed on your page.

1 How to Quickly Find the Carousel

For first-time Framer users, it’s easy to get lost among the many components. To save time, you can use the following methods:

Using category navigation: Always remember that the Carousel belongs to the Interactive category, so there’s no need to keep looking through Layout, Media, or other categories.

Using the search function: Simply type “Carousel” into the search bar at the top of the component menu, and you can quickly locate it.

2 State After Dragging to the Canvas

When the Carousel is dragged onto the canvas, it appears as a default frame. Just like other Framer elements, you can freely adjust its size and position, and use the properties panel to further configure its transition style and interaction logic.

Container Settings for Media Files Linked to the Carousel Component

In Framer, the Carousel component itself does not directly hold media files. Instead, it relies on separate media containers (such as Image or Video containers) to host the content. The Carousel then binds these containers to its slideshow structure through linking, enabling the switching and playback of media.

In other words, the Carousel functions more like an “outer framework,” while the actual images or videos must first be placed inside their respective containers before being connected to the Carousel.

1 Choosing Image and Video Containers

Depending on the type of media, designers need to select the appropriate container for uploading assets:

• Image files: Use an Image container, draw the container to the desired size on the canvas, and then upload the image.

• Video files: Use a Video container, define the appropriate playback area on the canvas, and then upload or embed the video file.

This step ensures that the Carousel can correctly recognize and load different types of media content.

2 The Importance of Maintaining Consistent Container Sizes

No matter how many images or videos you upload, all media containers must share the same pixel dimensions. This is crucial to ensuring a visually consistent Carousel playback.

If container sizes are inconsistent, the following issues may arise:

• Jumpy transitions: Content appears at different sizes during playback, resulting in a poor user experience.

• Empty space or overflow: Containers that are too large or too small may cause images to stretch or videos to leave blank edges.

• Disrupted page layout: Irregular container dimensions can break the balance of the overall design.

A smooth Carousel experience depends on standardized media containers. Only when all image and video containers maintain consistent sizing can the slideshow run seamlessly, giving users a clean and unified visual impression.

How to Link Media Files to the Framer Carousel Component

After creating the media containers, ensuring consistent sizing, and uploading the files, the next crucial step is to link these media files to the Carousel component. This process determines whether the Carousel can correctly recognize and display the corresponding images or videos within its slideshow framework.

1 Steps to Link Media to the Carousel

1). Select the Carousel Component

In the Layers panel or directly on the canvas, click to select the Carousel component. The Carousel’s border will be highlighted, indicating it is selected.

2). Locate the Link Identifier

Once the Carousel is selected, you’ll see three vertically arranged dots along its right edge. These dots serve as the link identifier, allowing you to bind external media containers to the Carousel.

3). Drag the Connection Line

Move your cursor over the three-dot identifier, click and drag, and an extendable connection line will appear.

4). Bind to a Media Container

Drag the connection line to the Image or Video container you created earlier. Release the mouse button to establish the link.

5). Check the Binding Effect

Once the binding is successful, the media file will automatically load into the Carousel’s slideshow framework. You can see the result directly on the canvas.

2 Notes and Recommendations

• One-to-One Mapping: Each “link point” on the Carousel corresponds to a media container. For example, if you have 5 images, you need to bind the 5 Carousel link points to the 5 Image containers in order.

• Maintain Order: The binding order directly affects the Carousel’s playback sequence. It’s recommended to connect the media in the order you want them to appear.

• Replaceable After Binding: If you need to replace a media file later, simply update the file in its corresponding container—there’s no need to re-establish the connection.

Essentially, linking the Carousel to media containers is about using the connection lines to bring external resources into the slideshow framework. Once you understand the drag logic for the link identifiers and pay attention to the binding order and container naming, you can quickly build a clear and organized Carousel playback structure.

Property Settings of the Framer Carousel Component

After linking the Carousel to the media containers, designers can further optimize the Carousel’s interaction and display using the Properties panel on the right. These properties determine the Carousel’s layout, transition behavior, and navigation style, making them a key factor in enhancing user experience. Below, we’ll go through each of these core configuration options in detail.

1 Children: Number and Order of Items

The Children setting displays and manages the number of media containers linked to the Carousel. Here, you can clearly see how many items are currently in the Carousel and adjust the quantity or order as needed.

• When you add a new media container and link it, it will automatically be included in the Children count.

• Changing the order directly affects the playback sequence of the Carousel.

2 Direction: Adjusting Playback Orientation

The Direction setting controls the playback orientation of the Carousel.

• By default, it scrolls horizontally (Left/Right).

• You can also switch it to vertical scrolling (Up/Down), which is suitable for mobile devices or scenarios that require up-and-down navigation.

This option is especially important for different screen layouts, allowing the Carousel to better adapt to the page structure.

3 Fading: Blur Range

The Fading setting controls the blur effect during Carousel transitions. By adjusting this parameter, the media items that are about to enter or exit the view can have a gradual blur, creating a smoother visual transition.

• The higher the value, the larger the blurred transition area.

• It is recommended to set this moderately to avoid affecting the clarity of the main content.

4 Progress: Playback and Navigation

The Progress setting offers two common types of navigation indicators:

• Scroll Bar: Displays the current Carousel playback progress as a horizontal bar.

• Dots (…): Marks the Carousel’s position with dots, allowing users to quickly switch to a specific media item by clicking a dot.

This setting often relates to user interaction habits. For example, scroll bars are more common on desktop, while dot navigation is preferred on mobile devices.

5 Arrows: Navigation Arrow Style

The Arrows setting controls the forward and backward navigation arrows of the Carousel. Designers can adjust the style, size, and position of the arrows to make navigation more intuitive.

• You can choose to hide the arrows entirely, relying solely on swiping or progress dots for navigation.

• Alternatively, you can design prominent large arrows to highlight interactive actions.

By flexibly configuring the Carousel’s properties, you can not only control the display logic of media content but also significantly enhance the page’s interactivity and smoothness. Whether it’s using Children to organize the order or leveraging Fading and Progress to create finer transition effects, these settings help you build a more professional and visually engaging Carousel.

Conclusion

Through this article, you now have a comprehensive understanding of the complete process for building an image slideshow using the Carousel component in Framer. From locating the component, meeting media container size requirements, linking and binding media, to fine-tuning property settings, each step lays a solid foundation for smooth Carousel performance and a user-friendly experience.

Proper use of the Carousel allows you to efficiently display multiple images or videos within limited page space, while adding depth and interactivity to your web content, leaving a strong visual impression on visitors. Whether for product showcases, case portfolios, or brand promotion, the Carousel is an indispensable element in Framer website design.

If you want to further enhance the design quality and interactive performance of your website in real projects, feel free to contact Jane Framer Studio. We specialize in custom Framer website design and development, helping you create digital experiences that balance creativity and conversion.