When to use
Use this skill when creating mathematical animations, visualizations, or educational videos using Manim (ManimCE).
Quick Reference (Core Patterns)
Colors
python
BG = "#1c1c1c" # Background (MUST use) BLUE = "#3b82f6" # Primary, nodes YELLOW = "#fbbf24" # Highlights, emphasis GREEN = "#22c55e" # Success, done, positive RED = "#ef4444" # Error, negative GRAY = "#9ca3af" # Inactive, labels
Scene Template
python
from manim import *
class MyScene(Scene):
def construct(self):
self.camera.background_color = "#1c1c1c"
# Your code here
self.wait(2) # End padding
Audio-Synced Scene (StrictSync)
python
TIMING = {
"01": {"start": 0, "end": 5.5},
"02": {"start": 5.5, "end": 10.0},
}
class SyncedScene(Scene):
def construct(self):
self.camera.background_color = "#1c1c1c"
for seg_id in sorted(TIMING.keys()):
method = getattr(self, f"seg_{seg_id}", None)
if method:
self._run(seg_id, method)
self.wait(2)
def _run(self, seg_id, method):
t = TIMING[seg_id]
target = t["end"] - t["start"]
start = self.renderer.time
method()
elapsed = self.renderer.time - start
if elapsed < target:
self.wait(target - elapsed)
def seg_01(self):
pass # Your animation
Animation Patterns
python
# Cascading appear self.play(LaggedStartMap(FadeIn, VGroup(*items), lag_ratio=0.15), run_time=1) # Highlight self.play(Flash(mob, color=YELLOW, line_length=0.2), run_time=0.3) self.play(Indicate(mob, color=YELLOW), run_time=0.5) # Transform text self.play(TransformMatchingStrings(old_text, new_text), run_time=0.5) # Coordinated (not sequential) self.play(FadeIn(a), Create(b), Write(c), run_time=1) # Good # self.play(FadeIn(a)); self.play(Create(b)) # Bad
Layout
python
# Screen zones title.to_edge(UP, buff=0.5) content.move_to(ORIGIN) info.to_edge(DOWN, buff=0.8) sidebar.to_edge(RIGHT, buff=1.0) # Spacing constants NODE_GAP = 1.5 # Minimum between nodes EDGE_LABEL_OFFSET = 0.22 # Perpendicular to edge # Edge label placement mid = line.get_center() direction = end - start perp = np.array([-direction[1], direction[0], 0]) perp = perp / np.linalg.norm(perp) * 0.22 label.move_to(mid + perp)
Graph Creation Pattern
python
self.node_to_circle = {} # Dictionary mapping
for name, pos in positions.items():
circle = Circle(radius=0.3, color=BLUE, fill_opacity=0.5, stroke_width=2)
circle.move_to(pos)
self.node_to_circle[name] = circle
Pedagogy (3b1b Style)
code
1. HOOK: Pose interesting question 2. INTUITION: Visual understanding (NO formulas yet) 3. STEP-BY-STEP: Concrete example with numbers 4. FORMALIZATION: NOW introduce formula/name
Rules (Detailed Reference)
Setup & Basics
- •rules/manim-setup.md - Installation
- •rules/scene-basics.md - Scene structure
- •rules/color-scheme.md - Full color palette
Animation
- •rules/animation-patterns.md - LaggedStartMap, state save/restore
- •rules/text-transforms.md - TransformMatchingStrings
- •rules/updaters.md - add_updater for dynamic motion
- •rules/seamless-transitions.md - Smooth transitions
Layout & Visual
- •rules/layout-spacing.md - Spacing, screen zones
- •rules/mobject-grouping.md - VGroup organization
- •rules/visual-quality.md - Quality checks
- •rules/camera-work.md - MovingCameraScene
Content Types
- •rules/equations.md - LaTeX, MathTex
- •rules/graphs.md - Function plotting
- •rules/3d-surfaces.md - ThreeDScene
Audio & Sync
- •rules/audio-sync.md - Audio-visual sync
- •rules/strict-sync.md - StrictSyncScene
Philosophy
- •rules/pedagogy.md - Intuition before formalism
MUST / MUST NOT
MUST
- •Use
#1c1c1cbackground - •Use
LaggedStartMapfor cascading effects - •Group related elements with VGroup + dictionary
- •End with
self.wait(2)for padding - •Keep NODE_GAP >= 1.5
- •Place edge labels perpendicular to edge
MUST NOT
- •Use pure black (#000000) background
- •Animate elements one-by-one with separate play() calls
- •Place nodes too close (< 1.5 units apart)
- •Show formulas before building intuition
- •End play() without wait()