Vector animations with Python

Overview

This data notebook shows how to create dynamic vector animations using Python. Two key libraries were used in this notebook:

Gizeh: It's a Python library that create vector graphics, allowing users to draw shapes, text, and images on a flexible canvas.

MoviePy: This Python library lets create, edit, and manipulate video files, offering tools to combine clips, add effects, and work with audio and images in a straightforward way. Using this library, you can also create GIFs.

The code snippets below show how to create basic vector shapes, build compositions, and implement animations using mathematical transformations.

Effect 1: Basic shapes composition

This example shows how to create a composition of basic shapes using Gizeh, featuring a red circle, a blue square, and a green triangle.

Technical specifications

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Canvas size: 320x260 pixels

Shape positioning: coordinates for circle, square, and triangle

Shapes: circle (red), square (blue), triangle (green)

Output: PNG file

import gizeh # Create a new Gizeh surface surface = gizeh.Surface(width=320, height=260) # Draw a red circle circle = gizeh.circle(r=40, xy=[156, 200], fill=(1, 0, 0)) # Red circle circle.draw(surface) # Draw a blue square square = gizeh.rectangle(lx=60, ly=60, xy=[80, 130], fill=(0, 0, 1)) # Blue square square.draw(surface) # Draw a green triangle manually triangle_points = [(210, 110), (270, 110), (240, 50)] # Calculated points for the triangle triangle_shape = gizeh.polyline(triangle_points, close_path=True, fill=(0, 1, 0)) # Green triangle triangle_shape.draw(surface) # Export as a PNG surface.write_to_png("drawing.png")

Effect 2: Rotating circles animation

This animation generates a pattern of circles that rotate and change colours.

Technical specifications

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Canvas size: 128x128 pixels

Circular motion: polar coordinates

Duration: 2 seconds

Size progression: linear scaling by index

Fame rate: 15 fps

Colour cycling: modulo for transitions

Number of circles: 20

import numpy as np import gizeh import moviepy.editor as mpy W, H = 128, 128 duration = 2 ncircles = 20 def make_frame(t): surface = gizeh.Surface(W, H) for i in range(ncircles): angle = 2 * np.pi * (i / ncircles + t / duration) center = (W / 2, H / 2) + gizeh.polar2cart(0.3 * W, angle) color = ((i / ncircles + t) % 1, (0.2 + t) % 1, (0.5 + i / ncircles) % 1) circle = gizeh.circle(r=W * (1.0 - 1.0 * i / ncircles) / 4, xy=center, fill=color) circle.draw(surface) return surface.get_npimage() clip = mpy.VideoClip(make_frame, duration=duration) clip.write_gif("rotating_circles.gif", fps=15, opt="OptimizePlus", fuzz=10)

Effect 3: Animated circles with rotation

This animation is generated by arranging 20 shrinking circles in a rotating pattern around a center point.

Technical specifications:

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Canvas size: 128x128 pixels

Circular motion: Using polar coordinates for positioning.

Duration: 2 seconds

Size progression: Circles decrease in size based on their index.

Frame rate: 15 fps

Colour cycling: Alternating colours for each circle.

Number of circles: 20

import numpy as np import gizeh import moviepy.editor as mpy W,H = 128,128 duration = 2 ncircles = 20 # Number of circles def make_frame(t): surface = gizeh.Surface(W,H) for i in range(ncircles): angle = 2*np.pi*(1.0*i/ncircles+t/duration) center = W*( 0.5+ gizeh.polar2cart(0.1,angle)) circle = gizeh.circle(r= W*(1.0-1.0*i/ncircles), xy= center, fill= (i%2,i%2,i%2)) circle.draw(surface) return surface.get_npimage() clip = mpy.VideoClip(make_frame, duration=duration) clip.write_gif("circles.gif",fps=15, opt="OptimizePlus", fuzz=10)

Effect 4: Colour pattern animation

This animation features an expanding circle pattern creating a vibrant and layered visual effect.

Technical specifications:

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Dimensions: 256x256 pixels

Radius growth: Linear expansion over time.

Duration: 3 seconds

Colour transitions: RGB cycling with offset values.

Layers: 10 circles

Centred composition: Circles remain centred.

import gizeh as gz import numpy as np import moviepy.editor as mpy W, H = 256, 256 DURATION = 3 def make_frame(t): surface = gz.Surface(W, H) for i in range(10): radius = W * (i + t * 5) / 40 color = ((i / 10) % 1, (0.3 + i / 10) % 1, (0.7 + i / 10) % 1) circle = gz.circle(radius, xy=(W / 2, H / 2), fill=color) circle.draw(surface) return surface.get_npimage() clip = mpy.VideoClip(make_frame, duration=DURATION) clip.write_gif("expanding_pattern.gif", fps=15, opt="OptimizePlus", fuzz=10)

Effect 5: Bouncing ball animation

The code below create a bouncing ball with a shadow, where the ball moves horizontally and vertically in a sine wave motion.

Technical specifications:

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Dimensions: 200x100 pixels

Ball movement: Horizontal motion with a sinusoidal bounce effect

Duration: 3 seconds

Colour cycling: Gradual colour change as the ball moves

Background: white

Shadow effect: Semi-transparent shadow below the ball

import numpy as np import gizeh as gz import moviepy.editor as mpy W, H = 200, 100 DURATION = 3 r = 10 ground = 0.8 * H def make_frame(t): surface = gz.Surface(W, H, bg_color=(1, 1, 1)) x = (-W / 3) + (5 * W / 3) * (t / DURATION) y = ground - 40 * np.sin((t * np.pi) * 3) color = ((t % 1), (1 - (t % 1)), 0.5) shadow = gz.circle(r=r / 2, fill=(0, 0, 0, 0.2)).translate((x, ground)) shadow.draw(surface) ball = gz.circle(r=r, fill=color).translate((x, y)) ball.draw(surface) return surface.get_npimage() clip = mpy.VideoClip(make_frame, duration=DURATION) clip.write_gif("bouncing_ball.gif", fps=25, opt="OptimizePlus")

Effect 6: Rotating triangle grid animation

This code generates an animated GIF of rotating triangles arranged in a grid, with each triangle changing colour over time.

Technical specifications:

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Dimensions: 256x256 pixels

Rotation: Continuous rotation of each triangle in sync

Duration: 2 secondsGrid

Colour gradient: Each triangle’s colour shifts based on its row and column position

Layout: 6 rows by 6 columns

Grid Alignment: Triangles are evenly spaced across the canvas

import numpy as np import gizeh as gz import moviepy.editor as mpy W, H = 256, 256 DURATION = 2 rows, cols = 6, 6 # Number of rows and columns in grid def make_frame(t): surface = gz.Surface(W, H, bg_color=(1, 1, 1)) for i in range(rows): for j in range(cols): angle = 2 * np.pi * (t % 1) center = (W * (j + 0.5) / cols, H * (i + 0.5) / rows) color = ((i / rows) % 1, (j / cols) % 1, 0.5) triangle = gz.regular_polygon(20, 3, fill=color).rotate(angle).translate(center) triangle.draw(surface) return surface.get_npimage() clip = mpy.VideoClip(make_frame, duration=DURATION) clip.write_gif("rotating_triangles.gif", fps=20, opt="OptimizePlus", fuzz=10)

Effect 7: Dynamic floating balls animation

The circles are filled with a slightly off-center radial gradient to create an impression of volume, with the colours, initial positions, and rotation centers randomly selected at the start.

Technical specifications:

Animation parameters:

Mathematical concepts:

Dimensions: 150x150 pixels

Floating motion: Each ball follows its own unique circular path, adding variety and a smooth, flowing motion to the animation.

Duration: 2 seconds

Colour and gradient: Each ball features a unique colour and a soft radial gradient, giving it a light, floating appearance.

Total number of balls: 60

Randomized Attributes: Random size, colour, and starting position for each ball.

import gizeh as gz import numpy as np import moviepy.editor as mpy W = H = 150 D = 2 # duration nballs=60 # generate random values of radius, color, center radii = np.random.randint(.1*W,.2*W, nballs) colors = np.random.rand(nballs,3) centers = np.random.randint(0,W, (nballs,2)) def make_frame(t): surface = gz.Surface(W,H) for r,color, center in zip(radii, colors, centers): angle = 2*np.pi*(t/D*np.sign(color[0]-.5)+color[1]) xy = center+gz.polar2cart(W/5,angle) # center of the ball gradient = gz.ColorGradient(type="radial", stops_colors = [(0,color),(1,color/10)], xy1=[0.3,-0.3], xy2=[0,0], xy3 = [0,1.4]) ball = gz.circle(r=1, fill=gradient).scale(r).translate(xy) ball.draw(surface) return surface.get_npimage() clip = mpy.VideoClip(make_frame, duration=D) clip.write_gif("balls.gif",fps=15,opt="OptimizePlus")

Conclusion

This data app introduced the essentials of creating and animating vector graphics, covering shapes, colours, gradients, and transformations. By exploring coordinate systems and timing, it demonstrated techniques for building smooth, dynamic animations, offering a solid foundation for visually engaging projects.

.css-15w88e5{color:var(--chakra-colors-fg-neutral-primary);font-weight:inherit;letter-spacing:-0.09px;}Vector animations with Python

Overview

Effect 1: Basic shapes composition

Technical specifications

Effect 2: Rotating circles animation

Technical specifications

Effect 3: Animated circles with rotation

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Effect 4: Colour pattern animation

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Effect 5: Bouncing ball animation

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Effect 6: Rotating triangle grid animation

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Effect 7: Dynamic floating balls animation

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Conclusion

Vector animations with Python