infade

Infade is a term used in digital media to describe a gradual reveal of an element by progressively increasing its visibility or intensity. It is a neologism formed from in and fade and is primarily used in informal discussions among designers, editors, and developers. The term does not denote a single standardized technique, but rather a family of related transitions.

In visual media, an infade typically describes a fade-in effect where an image, layer, or graphic starts fully transparent and becomes fully opaque over a set duration. The reverse, an outfade, reduces opacity. In audio, infade refers to ramping up volume from silence to a target level, ensuring a smooth onset.

In user interface and game design, infade denotes gradually revealing UI elements or scenes to reduce cognitive load and improve perceived responsiveness. It is often implemented with CSS transitions, animation libraries, or engine-specific tweening, using easing functions to control the rate of change.

Variants include infade-in, infade-out, soft infade, and multi-stage infades used in staged reveals. The term remains informal and is not governed by a formal standard; sources are limited and usage varies by community.

See also: fade-in, fade-out, crossfade, reveal.