JAnim – An Exploration and Experimentation with Programmatic Animation

In traditional approaches, animations are created using professional software, where elements and animations are edited directly within a graphical interface. However, with JAnim, I set out to build a framework for creating animations through programming. Inspired by Manim, this framework uses code to define both the objects in a scene and the animation process. Programmatic animation makes it easier to ensure reproducibility and consistency, and it is particularly well-suited for demonstrating algorithms that are inherently tied to programming—such as sorting algorithms—as well as for batch-generating animation content. In short, this programmatic approach enables JAnim to shine across diverse creative directions. On top of that, JAnim introduces many user-friendly features, such as a preview window for easy animation debugging that responds instantly to code changes, and an improved workflow for integrating audio and video—making it something of an “alternative editing tool.” In the end, while JAnim is code-based, its rich supporting features ensure the process feels smooth and accessible rather than cumbersome.