manim-video

Write a plan with narrative arc and scene list, then create one Manim Scene class per scene in a single Python script. Render drafts with manim -ql, stitch clips with ffmpeg concat, and render final output at -qh quality.

You need Python 3.10+, Manim CE v0.20+ installed via pip install manim, a LaTeX distribution such as texlive-full or MacTeX, and ffmpeg for video stitching. Run the included setup.sh script to verify all dependencies.

The most common cause is missing raw strings: use MathTex(r"\frac{1}{2}") instead of MathTex("\frac{1}{2}") so backslashes are not interpreted as escape sequences. Also verify LaTeX is installed with which pdflatex.

Yes, use the manim-voiceover plugin with ElevenLabs, Azure, or Google TTS services to auto-sync animation duration to narration. Alternatively, generate audio separately and mux it with the video using ffmpeg.

Text objects are Mobjects, not VMobjects, so they cannot be added to a VGroup in Manim CE v0.20+. Use Group instead when mixing Text with shapes, or use MathTex which is a VMobject.

Use -ql (480p, 15fps) for fast draft iteration on layout and timing, and -qh (1080p, 60fps) only for final production renders. Preview text-heavy scenes at -qm since 480p produces poor text kerning.