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Scientific Visualization with ManimVTK

ManimVTK’s VTK integration makes it ideal for scientific visualization workflows. Export your animations to ParaView for further analysis.

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CFD-Style Surface

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Pressure Field Visualization

from manimvtk import *
import numpy as np

class PressureField(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        # Create surface representing a pressure field
        surface = Surface(
            lambda u, v: np.array([
                u,
                v,
                np.exp(-(u**2 + v**2))  # Gaussian pressure distribution
            ]),
            u_range=[-2, 2],
            v_range=[-2, 2],
            resolution=(50, 50)
        )
        
        # Color by height (simulating pressure)
        surface.set_color_by_gradient(BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, RED)
        
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=60 * DEGREES, theta=-45 * DEGREES)
        self.play(Create(surface), run_time=2)
        self.wait()
Render and export: 
manimvtk -pqh example.py PressureField --renderer vtk --vtk-export

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Velocity Field Arrows

from manimvtk import *
import numpy as np

class VelocityField(Scene):
    def construct(self):
        # Create a grid of velocity vectors
        vectors = VGroup()
        
        for x in np.linspace(-3, 3, 7):
            for y in np.linspace(-3, 3, 7):
                # Compute velocity (circular flow)
                velocity = np.array([-y, x, 0]) / 5
                magnitude = np.linalg.norm(velocity)
                
                if magnitude > 0:
                    arrow = Arrow(
                        start=np.array([x, y, 0]),
                        end=np.array([x, y, 0]) + velocity,
                        buff=0,
                        color=interpolate_color(BLUE, RED, magnitude / 1.5)
                    )
                    vectors.add(arrow)
        
        self.play(Create(vectors))
        self.wait()

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Time-Varying Simulations

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Wave Propagation

from manimvtk import *
import numpy as np

class WavePropagation(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        def wave_surface(t):
            return Surface(
                lambda u, v: np.array([
                    u,
                    v,
                    0.5 * np.sin(np.sqrt(u**2 + v**2) - t)
                ]),
                u_range=[-3, 3],
                v_range=[-3, 3],
                resolution=(40, 40)
            )
        
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=60 * DEGREES)
        
        # Initial surface
        surface = wave_surface(0)
        surface.set_color_by_gradient(BLUE, GREEN, RED)
        
        self.play(Create(surface))
        
        # Animate wave propagation
        for t in np.linspace(0, 2*PI, 60):
            new_surface = wave_surface(t)
            new_surface.set_color_by_gradient(BLUE, GREEN, RED)
            surface.become(new_surface)
            self.wait(1/30)
Export as time series: 
manimvtk -pqm example.py WavePropagation --renderer vtk --vtk-time-series

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Mesh Visualization

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Surface Mesh Example

from manimvtk import *
import numpy as np

class SurfaceMesh(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        # Create a mathematical surface
        surface = Surface(
            lambda u, v: np.array([
                u,
                v,
                np.sin(u) * np.cos(v)
            ]),
            u_range=[-PI, PI],
            v_range=[-PI, PI],
            resolution=(25, 25)
        )
        
        surface.set_color(BLUE_E)
        surface.set_opacity(0.8)
        
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=70 * DEGREES, theta=45 * DEGREES)
        
        self.play(Create(surface))
        self.begin_ambient_camera_rotation(rate=0.1)
        self.wait(6)

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Multi-Field Visualization

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Combined Scalar and Vector Fields

from manimvtk import *
import numpy as np

class MultiFieldViz(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        # Base surface (scalar field)
        surface = Surface(
            lambda u, v: np.array([u, v, 0]),
            u_range=[-2, 2],
            v_range=[-2, 2],
            resolution=(20, 20)
        )
        surface.set_color(BLUE_E)
        
        # Overlay vector field
        arrows = VGroup()
        for x in np.linspace(-2, 2, 5):
            for y in np.linspace(-2, 2, 5):
                arrow = Arrow(
                    start=[x, y, 0],
                    end=[x + 0.3, y + 0.2, 0.5],
                    buff=0,
                    color=RED
                )
                arrows.add(arrow)
        
        self.set_camera_orientation(phi=60 * DEGREES, theta=30 * DEGREES)
        
        self.play(Create(surface))
        self.play(Create(arrows))
        self.wait()

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ParaView Workflow

After exporting to VTK, open in ParaView:
  1. Load data: File → Open → Select .pvd or .vtm file
  2. Apply filters: Contour, Slice, Clip, etc.
  3. Add color maps: Color by scalar fields
  4. Add glyphs: Visualize vector fields
  5. Export animation: Save as video or image sequence

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Next Steps

ParaView Guide

Master ParaView visualization

VTK Export

Learn VTK export options

Time Series

Create temporal animations

VTK API

VTK API reference