(i haven't done webdev in YEARS so I'm pulling this out of my ass) what about a bigass png with transparency that follows your cursor?
Web Development
Icon base by Delapouite under CC BY 3.0 with modifications to add a gradient
Yes, or if you want to learn more about this approach, search for masks, layers.
Is that still the way? I haven't touched web programming since like 2016 and I figured a ton has changed. Can't even remember what JavaScript library I used for animation lol
Interesting. But won't it work only for the background? Waldo isn't part of the background, he is a separate object as he changes position after each time you find him and click on it (I forgot to mention this important point).
You'd just have to make the image that follows your cursor have a higher z-index than Waldo
I looked up a guide, I wasn't too far off but this shows a better way to do it:
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-create-a-spotlight-effect-using-html-and-css/
Just make your own image and get rid of this part:
/* Reduce the brightness of the image */ .img { filter: brightness(10%); }
I would use z-indexes to setup the layering. Have a base layer, the “filter” layer, and then the ui on top.
Basically 3 divs, with z-index 1/2/3 respectively. Put elements on the base layer or ui layer based on if you should see them always or not.
For the filter, I would do an svg of a rectangle, big enough to cover the screen, and a hole in it. Then use js to set the svg’s position relative to the mouse.
The svg could easily be made transparent, black, or even get that fade effect around the edges.
I would look into a circular/radial CSS background gradient on a fixed-position fullscreen div with pointer-events set to none. You can make the center transparent and the rest whatever color/transparency you want. Then, use JS to set the circular gradient’s position relative to the cursor (use CSS variables if necessary)