manim-video

Write a plan with the 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 the final at -qh for 1080p60 output.

Manim Community Edition requires Python 3.10 or later, the manim pip package, a LaTeX distribution such as texlive-full or MacTeX for MathTex rendering, and ffmpeg for video output and scene stitching.

Use MathTex with raw strings for each step and TransformMatchingTex to morph between equations. For complex expressions, use substrings_to_isolate and key_map so individual terms match and move correctly during the transformation.

Text objects are Mobjects, not VMobjects, so adding them to a VGroup fails on Manim CE v0.20+. Use Group for mixed collections containing Text, and reserve VGroup for shapes or MathTex only.

Yes, the manim-voiceover plugin integrates TTS services like ElevenLabs, Azure, or Google TTS directly into scene code. It auto-syncs animation duration to voiceover length and generates subtitle files, replacing manual ffmpeg audio muxing.

Avoid animation when the concept is a single labeled diagram, when motion distracts from spatial layout, or when viewers need to study dense reference material carefully. Static well-labeled figures communicate those cases better.