Category: Shape Pack 1

ShapeEngine is the third step in the pack and the point where the shape gains internal structure. It builds on ShapeWithVariables by using the CSS custom properties defined there to replace the hard‑coded values in the 3d transform.

The code below shows the base HTML for the shape.

<div class="scene">
        <div class="shape">
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--front">FRONT<br />ShapeEngine</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--left">LEFT</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--back">BACK</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--right">RIGHT</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--top">TOP</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--bottom">BOTTOM</div>
        </div>
</div>

The code below shows the current CSS for the shape.

:root
{
        --shape-size: 200px;
        --shape-depth: 200px;
        --panel-count: 6;
        --panel-gap: 0px;

        --rotate-x: -20deg;
        --rotate-y: 25deg;
        --rotate-z: 0deg;

        --perspective: 800px;
        --perspective-origin-x: 50%;
        --perspective-origin-y: 50%;

        --face-front-rotate: 0deg;
        --face-left-rotate: -90deg;
        --face-back-rotate: 180deg;
        --face-right-rotate: 90deg;
        --face-top-rotate: 90deg;
        --face-bottom-rotate: -90deg;
}

body
{
        margin: 0;
        min-height: 100vh;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: #05060a;
        color: #f5f5f5;
        font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "SF Pro Text", "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}

.scene
{
        width: 200px;
        height: 200px;
        perspective: 800px;
        perspective-origin: 50% 50%;
}

.shape
{
        position: relative;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        transform-style: preserve-3d;
        transform: rotateX(-20deg) rotateY(25deg) rotateZ(0deg);
}

.shape__face
{
        position: absolute;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1b1f2a, #2c3244);
        outline: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
        box-sizing: border-box;
}

.shape__face--front { transform: rotateY(var(--face-front-rotate)) translateZ(calc(var(--shape-depth) / 2)); }
.shape__face--left { transform: rotateY(var(--face-left-rotate)) translateZ(calc(var(--shape-depth) / 2)); }
.shape__face--back { transform: rotateY(var(--face-back-rotate)) translateZ(calc(var(--shape-depth) / 2)); }
.shape__face--right { transform: rotateY(var(--face-right-rotate)) translateZ(calc(var(--shape-depth) / 2)); }
.shape__face--top { transform: rotateX(var(--face-top-rotate)) translateZ(calc(var(--shape-depth) / 2)); }
.shape__face--bottom { transform: rotateX(var(--face-bottom-rotate)) translateZ(calc(var(--shape-depth) / 2)); }

The goal of this step is to complete the foundation of an extensible CSS shape.

The folder includes:

• an updated HTML file with the simple shape
• a CSS file that replaces the hard‑coded values in the transforms with CSS custom properties
• a short note describing what changed from ShapeWithVariables

What changed from the previous step.

• Change: Completed the move from fixed transform values to fully variable‑driven transforms.
• Reason: Make the shape fully adjustable through custom properties while keeping the component simple and readable.

This step completes the core of the shape engine. Building on ShapeWithVariables, it implements the custom properties introduced there, bringing key transform values under custom‑property control and giving the component flexibility without adding complexity. With this foundation in place, Shape Pack 1 reaches its intended baseline, and the next progression begins in Shape Pack 2.

ShapeWithVariables is the second step in the pack and the first moment where the shape gains a bit of structure. It takes the minimal form from SimpleShape and introduces a small set of CSS variables to make the component easier to adjust without changing the core rules.

This example shows the base HTML for the CSS 3d shape.

<div class="scene">
        <div class="shape">
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--front">FRONT<br />ShapeWithVariables</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--left">LEFT</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--back">BACK</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--right">RIGHT</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--top">TOP</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--bottom">BOTTOM</div>
        </div>
</div>

The example shows the new CSS for the CSS 3d shape.

:root
{
        --shape-size: 200px;
        --shape-depth: 200px;
        --panel-count: 6;
        --panel-gap: 0px;

        --rotate-x: -20deg;
        --rotate-y: 25deg;
        --rotate-z: 0deg;

        --perspective: 800px;
        --perspective-origin-x: 50%;
        --perspective-origin-y: 50%;
        
        --face-front-rotate: 0deg;
        --face-left-rotate: -90deg;
        --face-back-rotate: 180deg;
        --face-right-rotate: 90deg;
        --face-top-rotate: 90deg;
        --face-bottom-rotate: -90deg;
}

body
{
        margin: 0;
        min-height: 100vh;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: #05060a;
        color: #f5f5f5;
        font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "SF Pro Text", "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}

.scene
{
        width: 200px;
        height: 200px;
        perspective: 800px;
        perspective-origin: 50% 50%;
}

.shape
{
        position: relative;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        transform-style: preserve-3d;
        transform: rotateX(-20deg) rotateY(25deg) rotateZ(0deg);
}

.shape__face
{
        position: absolute;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1b1f2a, #2c3244);
        outline: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
        box-sizing: border-box;
}

.shape__face--front { transform: translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--left { transform: rotateY(-90deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--back { transform: rotateY(180deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--right { transform: rotateY(90deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--top { transform: rotateX(90deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--bottom { transform: rotateX(-90deg) translateZ(100px); }

The goal of this step is flexibility. By moving key values—like size, color, or border thickness—into variables, the shape becomes easier to tune while still staying simple and readable. The component remains minimal, but now it has room to adapt.

The folder includes:

• an updated HTML file using the same basic structure
• a CSS file that adds CSS custom properties
• a short note describing what changed from ShapeSimple

What changed from the previous step.

• Change: Introduced a small set of CSS custom properties to eventually replace fixed values.
• Reason: Make the shape easier to adjust while keeping the component simple and readable.

This step builds on ShapeSimple and shows how a shape can evolve without becoming complicated. Within Shape Pack 1, it introduces CSS custom properties as a way to add control while keeping the component small and direct. The next component, ShapeEngine, continues the progression with another small, deliberate layer of structure.

This first step in Shape Pack 1 focuses on clarity. ShapeSimple has no variables, layers, or abstractions so you can see the core structure without distraction. It’s the cleanest version of the shape and the starting point for the entire progression.

The following code snippet contains the base HTML for the CSS 3d shape.

<div class="scene">
        <div class="shape">
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--front">FRONT<br />ShapeSimple</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--left">LEFT</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--back">BACK</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--right">RIGHT</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--top">TOP</div>
                <div class="shape__face shape__face--bottom">BOTTOM</div>
        </div>
</div>

The following code snippet contains the CSS for the CSS 3d shape’s first iteration.

body
{
        margin: 0;
        min-height: 100vh;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: #05060a;
        color: #f5f5f5;
        font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "SF Pro Text", "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}

.scene
{
        width: 200px;
        height: 200px;
        perspective: 800px;
        perspective-origin: 50% 50%;
}

.shape
{
        position: relative;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        transform-style: preserve-3d;
        transform: rotateX(-20deg) rotateY(25deg) rotateZ(0deg);
}

.shape__face
{
        position: absolute;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1b1f2a, #2c3244);
        outline: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
        box-sizing: border-box;
}

.shape__face--front { transform: translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--left { transform: rotateY(-90deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--back { transform: rotateY(180deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--right { transform: rotateY(90deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--top { transform: rotateX(90deg) translateZ(100px); }
.shape__face--bottom { transform: rotateX(-90deg) translateZ(100px); }

The folder contains three small files:

• an HTML file with the basic element structure
• a CSS file with the minimal rules needed to form the shape
• a short note describing what this step introduces

What changed from the previous step.

• Change: This is the first step, so nothing is being modified yet.
• Reason: Establish a clean, minimal foundation for all later shapes.

This component sets the foundation for the rest of Shape Pack 1. The next step, ShapeWithVariables, builds on this one, and the later components continue the progression by adding structure or behavior in small, deliberate increments.