Renderers

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Renderer Overview

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Selecting a Renderer

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Via Command Line

# Cairo (default)
manimvtk -pqh scene.py MyScene

# OpenGL
manimvtk -pqh scene.py MyScene --renderer opengl

# VTK
manimvtk -pqh scene.py MyScene --renderer vtk

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Via Configuration

[CLI]
renderer = vtk

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Cairo Renderer

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Characteristics

• ✅ Excellent 2D quality: Sharp vector graphics
• ✅ Text rendering: High-quality text and LaTeX
• ✅ Mature and stable: Well-tested, minimal bugs
• ⚠️ 2D focused: Basic 3D support only
• ⚠️ CPU-based: No GPU acceleration

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Best For

• 2D mathematical animations
• Educational diagrams
• Text-heavy content
• Precise vector graphics

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Example

from manimvtk import *

class CairoExample(Scene):
    def construct(self):
        # Perfect for 2D
        equation = MathTex(r"e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0")
        self.play(Write(equation))
        self.wait()

# Render with Cairo (default)
manimvtk -pqh scene.py CairoExample

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OpenGL Renderer

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Characteristics

• ✅ Fast: GPU-accelerated
• ✅ Real-time preview: Interactive viewing
• ✅ 3D support: Good 3D capabilities
• ⚠️ Less mature: May have edge cases
• ⚠️ Platform-dependent: Requires OpenGL drivers

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Best For

• Interactive development
• Real-time previews
• 3D animations (lighter-weight than VTK)
• Fast iteration

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Example

from manimvtk import *

class OpenGLExample(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        sphere = Sphere()
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=60 * DEGREES)
        self.play(Create(sphere))
        self.wait()

# Render with OpenGL
manimvtk -pqh scene.py OpenGLExample --renderer opengl

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VTK Renderer

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Characteristics

• ✅ Scientific quality: Publication-grade 3D
• ✅ VTK export: Export to .vtp, .vtm, .pvd formats
• ✅ Advanced lighting: Realistic shading
• ✅ ParaView integration: Direct export to ParaView
• ⚠️ Slower startup: VTK initialization overhead
• ⚠️ 3D focused: Best for 3D content

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Best For

• Scientific visualization
• 3D surfaces and meshes
• CFD/FEA visualization
• ParaView workflows
• High-quality 3D renders

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Example

from manimvtk import *
import numpy as np

class VTKExample(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        surface = Surface(
            lambda u, v: np.array([u, v, np.sin(u) * np.cos(v)]),
            u_range=[-2, 2],
            v_range=[-2, 2],
            resolution=(50, 50)
        )
        surface.set_color_by_gradient(BLUE, RED)
        
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=60 * DEGREES)
        self.play(Create(surface))
        self.wait()

# Render with VTK and export
manimvtk -pqh scene.py VTKExample --renderer vtk --vtk-export

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Renderer Comparison

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Choosing the Right Renderer

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Decision Tree

Are you creating 2D content?
├─ Yes → Use Cairo
└─ No (3D content)
    ├─ Need VTK export?
    │  └─ Yes → Use VTK
    └─ Need fast preview?
       ├─ Yes → Use OpenGL
       └─ Need highest quality → Use VTK

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Use Cases

manimvtk -pqh lesson.py Lecture

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Renderer-Specific Features

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Cairo Only

• Precise 2D rendering: Perfect for diagrams
• Text shaping: Advanced typography
• SVG-like quality: Clean vector output

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OpenGL Only

• Interactive preview: Real-time interaction
• Fast rendering: GPU acceleration
• Window mode: Live preview window

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VTK Only

• VTK file export: .vtp, .vtm, .pvd formats
• Scientific data: Scalar/vector fields
• Advanced shading: Physically-based rendering
• ParaView compatibility: Direct export

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Switching Renderers

class UniversalScene(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        sphere = Sphere()
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=60 * DEGREES)
        self.play(Create(sphere))
        self.wait()

# Test with OpenGL (fast)
manimvtk -ql scene.py UniversalScene --renderer opengl

# Final render with VTK (quality)
manimvtk -qh scene.py UniversalScene --renderer vtk --vtk-export

# Alternative with Cairo (if 2D is enough)
manimvtk -qh scene.py UniversalScene

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Performance Considerations

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Cairo

• Startup: Fast
• Rendering: Moderate (CPU-bound)
• Memory: Low to moderate
• Best for: Small to medium 2D scenes

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OpenGL

• Startup: Moderate
• Rendering: Fast (GPU-accelerated)
• Memory: Moderate
• Best for: Large 3D scenes, development

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VTK

• Startup: Slow (VTK initialization)
• Rendering: Moderate to slow
• Memory: Higher (complex meshes)
• Best for: Final quality renders, export

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Troubleshooting

# On headless servers
xvfb-run -a manimvtk -pqh scene.py MyScene --renderer opengl

# Or use Cairo/VTK instead
manimvtk -pqh scene.py MyScene --renderer cairo

pip install vtk
# Or reinstall with VTK extras
pip install manimvtk[vtk]

manimvtk -pqh scene.py MyScene --renderer vtk

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Best Practices

# Testing - fast
manimvtk -ql scene.py Test --renderer opengl

# Final 2D - quality
manimvtk -qh scene.py Final

# Final 3D with export - quality + export
manimvtk -qh scene.py Final --renderer vtk --vtk-export

# This works with any renderer
class AgnosticScene(Scene):
    def construct(self):
        circle = Circle()
        self.play(Create(circle))

manimvtk -ql scene.py Test --renderer cairo
manimvtk -ql scene.py Test --renderer opengl
manimvtk -ql scene.py Test --renderer vtk

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Next Steps