12.3.10.1.3. 1D animation

This example demonstrates how matplotlib can be used to create animated movie and export these in the mp4 movie format. It is shown here with some random generated 2d images, which ware plotted via matplotlib. By using the figure handle the animation is created. So you can plot your matplot figures in your own way and used some similar syntax to create an animation.

First of all you must install the matplotlib package, e.g. from https://pypi.org/project/matplotlib/

Then you must install the ffmpeg codec. A detailed description can be found on: http://blog.gregzaal.com/how-to-install-ffmpeg-on-windows/

The build version of the ffmpeg codec can be downloaded here: http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

Download and unzip the builds files to your harddrive. Typically the folder is like: C:Program filesffmpeg

The bin folder of ffmpeg must be added to the path variables of your system: C:Program filesffmpegbin

Finally start the command prompt and run the command: C:Program filesffmpegbinffmpeg.exe -codecs

or easier: ffmpeg -codecs

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.animation as animation

fig, ax = plt.subplots()

x = np.arange(0, 2*np.pi, 0.01)
line, = ax.plot(x, np.sin(x))


def animate(i):
    line.set_ydata(np.sin(x + i / 50))  # update the data.
    return line,


ani = animation.FuncAnimation(
    fig, animate, interval=20, blit=True, save_count=50)

Once Loop Reflect

To save the animation, use e.g.

ani.save("movie.mp4")

or

writer = animation.FFMpegWriter(
fps=15, metadata=dict(artist='Me'), bitrate=1800)
ani.save("movie.mp4", writer=writer)

Please consider that this requires the ffmpeg installed on your computer.

plt.show()