Getting Started with Animo from Zero

You want to create math animations like 3Blue1Brown. But you don’t know Python. You’ve never touched Manim. That’s fine.

This guide takes you from zero to your first animation in a few minutes.

Watch the tutorial

Here’s a quick video showing the process:

What you need

• An AI code editor: Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, Windsurf, or any editor with AI chat
• The Animo extension: free from the extension marketplace
• An Animo account: sign up at animo.video

That’s it. You don’t need to install Python or Manim yourself. Animo handles the setup.

Step 1: Install the extension

1. Open your editor (we recommend Cursor for beginners)
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X on Windows, Cmd+Shift+X on Mac)
3. Search for “Animo”
4. Click Install

The extension adds a sidebar panel where you’ll see your animations.

Step 2: Sign in

1. Click the Animo icon in the sidebar
2. Click “Sign in with Google” or use your email
3. The extension sets up everything automatically

Step 3: Describe your animation

Open the AI chat in your editor. In Cursor, press Cmd+L (Mac) or Ctrl+L (Windows).

Now describe what you want. Be specific:

Create an animation showing the Pythagorean theorem. Start with a right triangle. Then show squares on each side. Finally, show how a² + b² equals c².

The AI understands plain English. You don’t need to write code or use technical terms.

Step 4: Let the AI work

After you send your message, the AI will:

1. Write the Manim code
2. Render the animation
3. Check the result for problems
4. Fix any issues automatically
5. Show you the final video

This happens automatically. Just wait.

Step 5: Make changes

First drafts aren’t always perfect. That’s normal.

If something looks off, tell the AI:

Make the triangle larger. Change the squares to blue. Slow down the final part.

The AI updates the code and renders again. Keep going until you’re happy.

Tips for better results

Be specific about what you want to see:

• Bad: “Show a math concept”
• Good: “Show how multiplication works by displaying 3 groups of 4 dots, then combining them into 12”

Describe the order of things:

• “First show X, then Y, finally Z”
• This helps the AI understand timing

Mention colors and style:

• “Use blue for the main shapes and white text on dark background”

Start simple:

• Your first animation shouldn’t be 5 minutes long
• Start with a 10-second concept and build from there

Common questions

Do I need to know Python? No. The AI writes all the code.

Do I need to install Manim? Yes, but you don’t need to know how. Just ask your AI (in Cursor or your editor) to install it for you and hit “Allow” until it’s done. The AI handles the whole setup.

How many animations can I create? Free accounts get credits to start. Animo+ subscribers get 10,000 credits per month.

Can I download my videos? Yes. You can download MP4 files or share directly from Animo.

Ideas for your first animation

Not sure what to create? Try one of these:

• A circle turning into a square
• A number line showing addition
• A graph of y = x² being drawn
• Text that writes itself letter by letter
• A ball bouncing with simple physics

What’s next?

Once you’ve made your first animation:

1. Try the Templates for ready-made examples you can customize
2. Browse the Gallery for inspiration
3. Read How to Use Animo with Cursor for a deeper guide