Merge pull request #1379 from friedkeenan/3b1b-animate

Add .animate syntax

docs/example.py

@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ class SquareToCircle(Scene):
         self.play(ReplacementTransform(square, circle))
         self.wait()
         # Try typing the following lines
-        # self.play(circle.stretch, 4, {"dim": 0})
+        # self.play(circle.animate.stretch(4, dim=0))
         # self.play(Rotate(circle, TAU / 4))
-        # self.play(circle.shift, 2 * RIGHT, circle.scale, 0.25)
+        # self.play(circle.animate.shift(2 * RIGHT), circle.animate.scale(0.25))
         # circle.insert_n_curves(10)
-        # self.play(circle.apply_complex_function, lambda z: z**2)
+        # self.play(circle.animate.apply_complex_function(lambda z: z**2))
 
 class SquareToCircleEmbed(Scene):
     def construct(self):
@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ class SquareToCircleEmbed(Scene):
 
         self.add(circle)
         self.wait()
-        self.play(circle.stretch, 4, {"dim": 0})
+        self.play(circle.animate.stretch(4, dim=0))
         self.wait(1.5)
         self.play(Rotate(circle, TAU / 4))
         self.wait(1.5)
-        self.play(circle.shift, 2 * RIGHT, circle.scale, 0.25)
+        self.play(circle.animate.shift(2 * RIGHT), circle.animate.scale(0.25))
         self.wait(1.5)
         circle.insert_n_curves(10)
-        self.play(circle.apply_complex_function, lambda z: z**2)
+        self.play(circle.animate.apply_complex_function(lambda z: z**2))
         self.wait(2)

docs/source/getting_started/example_scenes.rst

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 Example Scenes
 ==============
 
-After understanding the previous knowledge, we can understand more scenes. 
+After understanding the previous knowledge, we can understand more scenes.
-Many example scenes are given in ``example_scenes.py``, let's start with 
+Many example scenes are given in ``example_scenes.py``, let's start with
 the simplest and one by one.
 
 InteractiveDevlopment
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ InteractiveDevlopment
             # the interactive shell
             self.play(ReplacementTransform(square, circle))
             self.wait()
-            self.play(circle.stretch, 4, 0)
+            self.play(circle.animate.stretch(4, 0))
             self.play(Rotate(circle, 90 * DEGREES))
-            self.play(circle.shift, 2 * RIGHT, circle.scale, 0.25)
+            self.play(circle.animate.shift(2 * RIGHT), circle.animate.scale(0.25))
 
             text = Text("""
                 In general, using the interactive shell
@@ -73,43 +73,52 @@ AnimatingMethods
             grid = Tex(r"\pi").get_grid(10, 10, height=4)
             self.add(grid)
 
-            # If you pass in a mobject method to the scene's "play" function,
+            # You can animate the application of mobject methods with the
-            # it will apply an animation interpolating between the mobject's
+            # ".animate" syntax:
-            # initial state and whatever happens when you apply that method.
+            self.play(grid.animate.shift(LEFT))
-            # For example, calling grid.shift(2 * LEFT) would shift it two units
+
-            # to the left, but the following line animates that motion.
+            # Alternatively, you can use the older syntax by passing the
-            self.play(grid.shift, 2 * LEFT)
+            # method and then the arguments to the scene's "play" function:
+            self.play(grid.shift, LEFT)
+
+            # Both of those will interpolate between the mobject's initial
+            # state and whatever happens when you apply that method.
+            # For this example, calling grid.shift(LEFT) would shift the
+            # grid one unit to the left, but both of the previous calls to
+            # "self.play" animate that motion.
+
             # The same applies for any method, including those setting colors.
-            self.play(grid.set_color, YELLOW)
+            self.play(grid.animate.set_color(YELLOW))
             self.wait()
-            self.play(grid.set_submobject_colors_by_gradient, BLUE, GREEN)
+            self.play(grid.animate.set_submobject_colors_by_gradient(BLUE, GREEN))
             self.wait()
-            self.play(grid.set_height, TAU - MED_SMALL_BUFF)
+            self.play(grid.animate.set_height(TAU - MED_SMALL_BUFF))
             self.wait()
 
             # The method Mobject.apply_complex_function lets you apply arbitrary
             # complex functions, treating the points defining the mobject as
             # complex numbers.
-            self.play(grid.apply_complex_function, np.exp, run_time=5)
+            self.play(grid.animate.apply_complex_function(np.exp), run_time=5)
             self.wait()
 
             # Even more generally, you could apply Mobject.apply_function,
             # which takes in functions form R^3 to R^3
             self.play(
-                grid.apply_function,
+                grid.animate.apply_function(
-                lambda p: [
+                    lambda p: [
-                    p[0] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[1]),
+                        p[0] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[1]),
-                    p[1] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[0]),
+                        p[1] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[0]),
-                    p[2]
+                        p[2]
-                ],
+                    ]
+                ),
                 run_time=5,
             )
             self.wait()
 
-The new usage in this scene is ``.get_grid()`` and ``self.play(mob.method, args)``.
+The new usage in this scene is ``.get_grid()`` and ``self.play(mob.animate.method(args))``.
 
 - ``.get_grid()`` method will return a new mobject containing multiple copies of this one arranged in a grid.
-- ``self.play(mob.method, args)`` animate the method, and the details are in the comments above.
+- ``self.play(mob.animate.method(args))`` animates the method, and the details are in the comments above.
 
 TextExample
 -----------
@@ -328,18 +337,18 @@ UpdatersExample
 
             # Notice that the brace and label track with the square
             self.play(
-                square.scale, 2,
+                square.animate.scale(2),
                 rate_func=there_and_back,
                 run_time=2,
             )
             self.wait()
             self.play(
-                square.set_width, 5, {"stretch": True},
+                square.set_width(5, stretch=True),
                 run_time=3,
             )
             self.wait()
             self.play(
-                square.set_width, 2,
+                square.animate.set_width(2),
                 run_time=3
             )
             self.wait()
@@ -355,7 +364,7 @@ UpdatersExample
             )
             self.wait(4 * PI)
 
-The new classes and usage in this scene are ``always_redraw()``, ``DecimalNumber``, ``.to_edge()``, 
+The new classes and usage in this scene are ``always_redraw()``, ``DecimalNumber``, ``.to_edge()``,
 ``.center()``, ``always()``, ``f_always()``, ``.set_y()`` and ``.add_updater()``.
 
 - ``always_redraw()`` function create a new mobject every frame.
@@ -412,9 +421,9 @@ CoordinateSystemExample
             dot = Dot(color=RED)
             dot.move_to(axes.c2p(0, 0))
             self.play(FadeIn(dot, scale=0.5))
-            self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(3, 2))
+            self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(3, 2)))
             self.wait()
-            self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(5, 0.5))
+            self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(5, 0.5)))
             self.wait()
 
             # Similarly, you can call axes.point_to_coords, or axes.p2c
@@ -431,9 +440,9 @@ CoordinateSystemExample
                 ShowCreation(h_line),
                 ShowCreation(v_line),
             )
-            self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(3, -2))
+            self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(3, -2)))
             self.wait()
-            self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(1, 1))
+            self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(1, 1)))
             self.wait()
 
             # If we tie the dot to a particular set of coordinates, notice
@@ -441,8 +450,8 @@ CoordinateSystemExample
             # system defined by them.
             f_always(dot.move_to, lambda: axes.c2p(1, 1))
             self.play(
-                axes.scale, 0.75,
+                axes.animate.scale(0.75),
-                axes.to_corner, UL,
+                axes.animate.to_corner(UL),
                 run_time=2,
             )
             self.wait()
@@ -534,8 +543,8 @@ GraphExample
                 lambda: axes.i2gp(x_tracker.get_value(), parabola)
             )
 
-            self.play(x_tracker.set_value, 4, run_time=3)
+            self.play(x_tracker.animate.set_value(4), run_time=3)
-            self.play(x_tracker.set_value, -2, run_time=3)
+            self.play(x_tracker.animate.set_value(-2), run_time=3)
             self.wait()
 
 SurfaceExample
@@ -608,8 +617,8 @@ SurfaceExample
             self.play(
                 Transform(surface, surfaces[2]),
                 # Move camera frame during the transition
-                frame.increment_phi, -10 * DEGREES,
+                frame.animate.increment_phi(-10 * DEGREES),
-                frame.increment_theta, -20 * DEGREES,
+                frame.animate.increment_theta(-20 * DEGREES),
                 run_time=3
             )
             # Add ambient rotation
@@ -624,8 +633,8 @@ SurfaceExample
             light = self.camera.light_source
             self.add(light)
             light.save_state()
-            self.play(light.move_to, 3 * IN, run_time=5)
+            self.play(light.animate.move_to(3 * IN), run_time=5)
-            self.play(light.shift, 10 * OUT, run_time=5)
+            self.play(light.animate.shift(10 * OUT), run_time=5)
 
             drag_text = Text("Try moving the mouse while pressing d or s")
             drag_text.move_to(light_text)
@@ -634,7 +643,7 @@ SurfaceExample
             self.play(FadeTransform(light_text, drag_text))
             self.wait()
 
-This scene shows an example of using a three-dimensional surface, and 
+This scene shows an example of using a three-dimensional surface, and
 the related usage has been briefly described in the notes.
 
 - ``.fix_in_frame()`` makes the object not change with the view angle of the screen, and is always displayed at a fixed position on the screen.
@@ -675,7 +684,7 @@ OpeningManimExample
                 FadeTransform(intro_words, linear_transform_words)
             )
             self.wait()
-            self.play(grid.apply_matrix, matrix, run_time=3)
+            self.play(grid.animate.apply_matrix(matrix), run_time=3)
             self.wait()
 
             # Complex map
@@ -699,12 +708,12 @@ OpeningManimExample
             )
             self.wait()
             self.play(
-                moving_c_grid.apply_complex_function, lambda z: z**2,
+                moving_c_grid.animate.apply_complex_function(lambda z: z**2),
                 run_time=6,
             )
             self.wait(2)
 
 This scene is a comprehensive application of a two-dimensional scene.
 
-After seeing these scenes, you have already understood part of the 
+After seeing these scenes, you have already understood part of the
 usage of manim. For more examples, see `the video code of 3b1b <https://github.com/3b1b/videos>`_.

docs/source/getting_started/quickstart.rst

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 Quick Start
 ===========
 
-After installing the manim environment according to the instructions on the 
+After installing the manim environment according to the instructions on the
 :doc:`installation` page, you can try to make a scene yourself from scratch.
 
-First, create a new ``.py`` file (such as ``start.py``) according to the following 
+First, create a new ``.py`` file (such as ``start.py``) according to the following
 directory structure:
 
 .. code-block:: text
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ A window will pop up on the screen. And then you can :
 - scroll the middle mouse button to move the screen up and down
 - hold down the :kbd:`z` on the keyboard while scrolling the middle mouse button to zoom the screen
 - hold down the :kbd:`s` key on the keyboard and move the mouse to pan the screen
-- hold down the :kbd:`d` key on the keyboard and move the mouse to change the three-dimensional perspective. 
+- hold down the :kbd:`d` key on the keyboard and move the mouse to change the three-dimensional perspective.
 
 Finally, you can close the window and exit the program by pressing :kbd:`q`.
 
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ Run this command again:
 
     python manim.py start.py SquareToCircle -os
 
-At this time, no window will pop up. When the program is finished, this rendered 
+At this time, no window will pop up. When the program is finished, this rendered
-image will be automatically opened (saved in the subdirectory ``images/`` of the same 
+image will be automatically opened (saved in the subdirectory ``images/`` of the same
 level directory of ``start.py`` by default):
 
 .. image:: ../_static/quickstart/SquareToCircle.png
@@ -67,36 +67,36 @@ Make an image
 
 Next, let's take a detailed look at what each row does.
 
-**Line 1**: 
+**Line 1**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     from manimlib.imports import *
-    
+
 This will import all the classes that may be used when using manim.
 
 **Line 3**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     class SquareToCircle(Scene):
 
-Create a :class:`Scene` subclass ``SquareToCircle``, which will be 
+Create a :class:`Scene` subclass ``SquareToCircle``, which will be
 the scene you write and render.
 
 **Line 4**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     def construct(self):
 
-Write the ``construct()`` method, the content of which will determine 
+Write the ``construct()`` method, the content of which will determine
 how to create the mobjects in the screen and what operations need to be performed.
 
 **Line 5**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     circle = Circle()
 
 Create a circle (an instance of the :class:`Circle` class), called ``circle``
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ Create a circle (an instance of the :class:`Circle` class), called ``circle``
 **Line 6~7**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     circle.set_fill(BLUE, opacity=0.5)
     circle.set_stroke(BLUE_E, width=4)
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ Set the circle style by calling the circle's method.
 **Line 9**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     self.add(circle)
 
 Add this circle to the screen through the ``.add()`` method of :class:`Scene`.
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ Let's change some codes and add some animations to make videos instead of just p
             circle.set_fill(BLUE, opacity=0.5)
             circle.set_stroke(BLUE_E, width=4)
             square = Square()
-    
+
             self.play(ShowCreation(square))
             self.wait()
             self.play(ReplacementTransform(square, circle))
@@ -149,51 +149,51 @@ Run this command this time:
 
     python manim.py start.py SquareToCircle
 
-The pop-up window will play animations of drawing a square and transforming 
+The pop-up window will play animations of drawing a square and transforming
 it into a circle. If you want to save this video, run:
 
 .. code-block:: sh
-    
+
     python manim.py start.py SquareToCircle -ow
 
-This time there will be no pop-up window, but the video file (saved in the subdirectory 
+This time there will be no pop-up window, but the video file (saved in the subdirectory
-``videos/`` of the same level directory of ``start.py`` by default) will be automatically 
+``videos/`` of the same level directory of ``start.py`` by default) will be automatically
 opened after the operation is over:
 
 .. raw:: html
 
     <video class="manim-video" controls loop autoplay src="../_static/quickstart/SquareToCircle.mp4"></video>
 
-Let's take a look at the code this time. The first 7 lines are the same as the previous 
+Let's take a look at the code this time. The first 7 lines are the same as the previous
-ones, and the 8th line is similar to the 5th line, which creates an instance of the 
+ones, and the 8th line is similar to the 5th line, which creates an instance of the
 :class:`Square` class and named it ``square``.
 
 **Line 10**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     self.play(ShowCreation(square))
 
 An animation is played through :class:`Scene`'s ``.play()`` method. :class:`ShowCreation`
-is an animation that shows the process of creating a given mobject. 
+is an animation that shows the process of creating a given mobject.
 ``self.play(ShowCreation(square))`` is to play the animation of creating ``square``.
 
 **Line 11**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     self.wait()
 
-Use :class:`Scene`'s ``.wait()`` method to pause (default 1s), you can pass in 
+Use :class:`Scene`'s ``.wait()`` method to pause (default 1s), you can pass in
 parameters to indicate the pause time (for example, ``self.wait(3)`` means pause for 3s).
 
 **Line 12**:
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    
+
     self.play(ReplacementTransform(square, circle))
 
-Play the animation that transforms ``square`` into ``circle``. 
+Play the animation that transforms ``square`` into ``circle``.
 ``ReplacementTransform(A, B)`` means to transform A into B's pattern and replace A with B.
 
 **Line 13**: Same as line 11, pause for 1s.
@@ -202,34 +202,34 @@ Play the animation that transforms ``square`` into ``circle``.
 Enable interaction
 ------------------
 
-Interaction is a new feature of the new version. You can add the following line 
+Interaction is a new feature of the new version. You can add the following line
 at the end of the code to enable interaction:
 
 .. code-block:: python
 
     self.embed()
 
-Then run ``python manim.py start.py SquareToCircle``. 
+Then run ``python manim.py start.py SquareToCircle``.
 
-After the previous animation is executed, the ipython terminal will be opened on 
+After the previous animation is executed, the ipython terminal will be opened on
-the command line. After that, you can continue to write code in it, and the statement 
+the command line. After that, you can continue to write code in it, and the statement
-you entered will be executed immediately after pressing :kbd:`Enter`. 
+you entered will be executed immediately after pressing :kbd:`Enter`.
 
-For example: input the following lines (without comment lines) into it respectively 
+For example: input the following lines (without comment lines) into it respectively
 (``self.play`` can be abbreviated as ``play`` in this mode):
 
 .. code-block:: python
 
     # Stretched 4 times in the vertical direction
-    play(circle.stretch, 4, {"dim": 0})
+    play(circle.animate.stretch(4, dim=0}))
     # Rotate the ellipse 90°
     play(Rotate(circle, TAU / 4))
     # Move 2 units to the right and shrink to 1/4 of the original
-    play(circle.shift, 2 * RIGHT, circle.scale, 0.25)
+    play(circle.animate.shift(2 * RIGHT), circle.animate.scale(0.25))
     # Insert 10 curves into circle for non-linear transformation (no animation will play)
     circle.insert_n_curves(10)
     # Apply a complex transformation of f(z)=z^2 to all points on the circle
-    play(circle.apply_complex_function, lambda z: z**2)
+    play(circle.animate.apply_complex_function(lambda z: z**2))
     # Close the window and exit the program
     exit()
 
@@ -239,8 +239,8 @@ You will get an animation similar to the following:
 
     <video class="manim-video" controls loop autoplay src="../_static/quickstart/SquareToCircleEmbed.mp4"></video>
 
-If you want to enter the interactive mode directly, you don't have to write an 
+If you want to enter the interactive mode directly, you don't have to write an
-empty scene containing only ``self.embed()``, you can directly run the following command 
+empty scene containing only ``self.embed()``, you can directly run the following command
 (this will enter the ipython terminal while the window pops up):
 
 .. code-block:: sh
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ empty scene containing only ``self.embed()``, you can directly run the following
 You succeeded!
 --------------
 
-After reading the above content, you already know how to use manim. 
+After reading the above content, you already know how to use manim.
-Below you can see some examples, in the :doc:`example_scenes` page. 
+Below you can see some examples, in the :doc:`example_scenes` page.
 But before that, you'd better have a look at the :doc:`configuration` of manim.
 

example_scenes.py

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class OpeningManimExample(Scene):
             FadeTransform(intro_words, linear_transform_words)
         )
         self.wait()
-        self.play(grid.apply_matrix, matrix, run_time=3)
+        self.play(grid.animate.apply_matrix(matrix), run_time=3)
         self.wait()
 
         # Complex map
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class OpeningManimExample(Scene):
         )
         self.wait()
         self.play(
-            moving_c_grid.apply_complex_function, lambda z: z**2,
+            moving_c_grid.animate.apply_complex_function(lambda z: z**2),
             run_time=6,
         )
         self.wait(2)
@@ -72,35 +72,44 @@ class AnimatingMethods(Scene):
         grid = Tex(r"\pi").get_grid(10, 10, height=4)
         self.add(grid)
 
-        # If you pass in a mobject method to the scene's "play" function,
+        # You can animate the application of mobject methods with the
-        # it will apply an animation interpolating between the mobject's
+        # ".animate" syntax:
-        # initial state and whatever happens when you apply that method.
+        self.play(grid.animate.shift(LEFT))
-        # For example, calling grid.shift(2 * LEFT) would shift it two units
+
-        # to the left, but the following line animates that motion.
+        # Alternatively, you can use the older syntax by passing the
-        self.play(grid.shift, 2 * LEFT)
+        # method and then the arguments to the scene's "play" function:
+        self.play(grid.shift, LEFT)
+
+        # Both of those will interpolate between the mobject's initial
+        # state and whatever happens when you apply that method.
+        # For this example, calling grid.shift(LEFT) would shift the
+        # grid one unit to the left, but both of the previous calls to
+        # "self.play" animate that motion.
+
         # The same applies for any method, including those setting colors.
-        self.play(grid.set_color, YELLOW)
+        self.play(grid.animate.set_color(YELLOW))
         self.wait()
-        self.play(grid.set_submobject_colors_by_gradient, BLUE, GREEN)
+        self.play(grid.animate.set_submobject_colors_by_gradient(BLUE, GREEN))
         self.wait()
-        self.play(grid.set_height, TAU - MED_SMALL_BUFF)
+        self.play(grid.animate.set_height(TAU - MED_SMALL_BUFF))
         self.wait()
 
         # The method Mobject.apply_complex_function lets you apply arbitrary
         # complex functions, treating the points defining the mobject as
         # complex numbers.
-        self.play(grid.apply_complex_function, np.exp, run_time=5)
+        self.play(grid.animate.apply_complex_function(np.exp), run_time=5)
         self.wait()
 
         # Even more generally, you could apply Mobject.apply_function,
         # which takes in functions form R^3 to R^3
         self.play(
-            grid.apply_function,
+            grid.animate.apply_function(
-            lambda p: [
+                lambda p: [
-                p[0] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[1]),
+                    p[0] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[1]),
-                p[1] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[0]),
+                    p[1] + 0.5 * math.sin(p[0]),
-                p[2]
+                    p[2]
-            ],
+                ]
+            ),
             run_time=5,
         )
         self.wait()
@@ -294,18 +303,18 @@ class UpdatersExample(Scene):
 
         # Notice that the brace and label track with the square
         self.play(
-            square.scale, 2,
+            square.animate.scale(2),
             rate_func=there_and_back,
             run_time=2,
         )
         self.wait()
         self.play(
-            square.set_width, 5, {"stretch": True},
+            square.set_width(5, stretch=True),
             run_time=3,
         )
         self.wait()
         self.play(
-            square.set_width, 2,
+            square.animate.set_width(2),
             run_time=3
         )
         self.wait()
@@ -361,9 +370,9 @@ class CoordinateSystemExample(Scene):
         dot = Dot(color=RED)
         dot.move_to(axes.c2p(0, 0))
         self.play(FadeIn(dot, scale=0.5))
-        self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(3, 2))
+        self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(3, 2)))
         self.wait()
-        self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(5, 0.5))
+        self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(5, 0.5)))
         self.wait()
 
         # Similarly, you can call axes.point_to_coords, or axes.p2c
@@ -380,9 +389,9 @@ class CoordinateSystemExample(Scene):
             ShowCreation(h_line),
             ShowCreation(v_line),
         )
-        self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(3, -2))
+        self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(3, -2)))
         self.wait()
-        self.play(dot.move_to, axes.c2p(1, 1))
+        self.play(dot.animate.move_to(axes.c2p(1, 1)))
         self.wait()
 
         # If we tie the dot to a particular set of coordinates, notice
@@ -390,8 +399,8 @@ class CoordinateSystemExample(Scene):
         # system defined by them.
         f_always(dot.move_to, lambda: axes.c2p(1, 1))
         self.play(
-            axes.scale, 0.75,
+            axes.animate.scale(0.75),
-            axes.to_corner, UL,
+            axes.animate.to_corner(UL),
             run_time=2,
         )
         self.wait()
@@ -477,8 +486,8 @@ class GraphExample(Scene):
             lambda: axes.i2gp(x_tracker.get_value(), parabola)
         )
 
-        self.play(x_tracker.set_value, 4, run_time=3)
+        self.play(x_tracker.animate.set_value(4), run_time=3)
-        self.play(x_tracker.set_value, -2, run_time=3)
+        self.play(x_tracker.animate.set_value(-2), run_time=3)
         self.wait()
 
 
@@ -546,8 +555,8 @@ class SurfaceExample(Scene):
         self.play(
             Transform(surface, surfaces[2]),
             # Move camera frame during the transition
-            frame.increment_phi, -10 * DEGREES,
+            frame.animate.increment_phi(-10 * DEGREES),
-            frame.increment_theta, -20 * DEGREES,
+            frame.animate.increment_theta(-20 * DEGREES),
             run_time=3
         )
         # Add ambient rotation
@@ -562,8 +571,8 @@ class SurfaceExample(Scene):
         light = self.camera.light_source
         self.add(light)
         light.save_state()
-        self.play(light.move_to, 3 * IN, run_time=5)
+        self.play(light.animate.move_to(3 * IN), run_time=5)
-        self.play(light.shift, 10 * OUT, run_time=5)
+        self.play(light.animate.shift(10 * OUT), run_time=5)
 
         drag_text = Text("Try moving the mouse while pressing d or s")
         drag_text.move_to(light_text)
@@ -593,9 +602,9 @@ class InteractiveDevlopment(Scene):
         # the interactive shell
         self.play(ReplacementTransform(square, circle))
         self.wait()
-        self.play(circle.stretch, 4, 0)
+        self.play(circle.animate.stretch(4, 0))
         self.play(Rotate(circle, 90 * DEGREES))
-        self.play(circle.shift, 2 * RIGHT, circle.scale, 0.25)
+        self.play(circle.animate.shift(2 * RIGHT), circle.animate.scale(0.25))
 
         text = Text("""
             In general, using the interactive shell

manimlib/animation/animation.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from copy import deepcopy
 
-from manimlib.mobject.mobject import Mobject
+from manimlib.mobject.mobject import Mobject, _AnimationBuilder
 from manimlib.utils.config_ops import digest_config
 from manimlib.utils.rate_functions import smooth
 from manimlib.utils.simple_functions import clip
@@ -159,3 +159,13 @@ class Animation(object):
 
     def is_remover(self):
         return self.remover
+
+
+def prepare_animation(anim):
+    if isinstance(anim, _AnimationBuilder):
+        return anim.build()
+
+    if isinstance(anim, Animation):
+        return anim
+
+    raise TypeError(f"Object {anim} cannot be converted to an animation")

manimlib/animation/composition.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import numpy as np
 
-from manimlib.animation.animation import Animation
+from manimlib.animation.animation import Animation, prepare_animation
 from manimlib.mobject.mobject import Group
 from manimlib.utils.bezier import integer_interpolate
 from manimlib.utils.bezier import interpolate
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class AnimationGroup(Animation):
 
     def __init__(self, *animations, **kwargs):
         digest_config(self, kwargs)
-        self.animations = animations
+        self.animations = [prepare_animation(anim) for anim in animations]
         if self.group is None:
             self.group = Group(*remove_list_redundancies(
                 [anim.mobject for anim in animations]

manimlib/animation/transform.py

@@ -149,6 +149,12 @@ class MoveToTarget(Transform):
             )
 
 
+class _MethodAnimation(MoveToTarget):
+    def __init__(self, mobject, methods):
+        self.methods = methods
+        super().__init__(mobject)
+
+
 class ApplyMethod(Transform):
     def __init__(self, method, *args, **kwargs):
         """

manimlib/mobject/mobject.py

@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ class Mobject(object):
         if self.depth_test:
             self.apply_depth_test()
 
+    @property
+    def animate(self):
+        # Borrowed from https://github.com/ManimCommunity/manim/
+        return _AnimationBuilder(self)
+
     def __str__(self):
         return self.__class__.__name__
 
@@ -1573,3 +1578,51 @@ class Point(Mobject):
 
     def set_location(self, new_loc):
         self.set_points(np.array(new_loc, ndmin=2, dtype=float))
+
+
+class _AnimationBuilder:
+    def __init__(self, mobject):
+        self.mobject = mobject
+        self.overridden_animation = None
+        self.mobject.generate_target()
+        self.is_chaining = False
+        self.methods = []
+
+    def __getattr__(self, method_name):
+        method = getattr(self.mobject.target, method_name)
+        self.methods.append(method)
+        has_overridden_animation = hasattr(method, "_override_animate")
+
+        if (self.is_chaining and has_overridden_animation) or self.overridden_animation:
+            raise NotImplementedError(
+                "Method chaining is currently not supported for "
+                "overridden animations"
+            )
+
+        def update_target(*method_args, **method_kwargs):
+            if has_overridden_animation:
+                self.overridden_animation = method._override_animate(
+                    self.mobject, *method_args, **method_kwargs
+                )
+            else:
+                method(*method_args, **method_kwargs)
+            return self
+
+        self.is_chaining = True
+        return update_target
+
+    def build(self):
+        from manimlib.animation.transform import _MethodAnimation
+
+        if self.overridden_animation:
+            return self.overridden_animation
+
+        return _MethodAnimation(self.mobject, self.methods)
+
+
+def override_animate(method):
+    def decorator(animation_method):
+        method._override_animate = animation_method
+        return animation_method
+
+    return decorator

manimlib/scene/scene.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import numpy as np
 import time
 from IPython.terminal.embed import InteractiveShellEmbed
 
-from manimlib.animation.animation import Animation
+from manimlib.animation.animation import prepare_animation
 from manimlib.animation.transform import MoveToTarget
 from manimlib.mobject.mobject import Point
 from manimlib.camera.camera import Camera
@@ -348,10 +348,7 @@ class Scene(object):
             state["method_args"] = []
 
         for arg in args:
-            if isinstance(arg, Animation):
+            if inspect.ismethod(arg):
-                compile_method(state)
-                animations.append(arg)
-            elif inspect.ismethod(arg):
                 compile_method(state)
                 state["curr_method"] = arg
             elif state["curr_method"] is not None:
@@ -362,7 +359,13 @@ class Scene(object):
                     you meant to pass in as a Scene.play argument
                 """)
             else:
-                raise Exception("Invalid play arguments")
+                try:
+                    anim = prepare_animation(arg)
+                except TypeError:
+                    raise TypeError(f"Unexpected argument {arg} passed to Scene.play()")
+
+                compile_method(state)
+                animations.append(anim)
         compile_method(state)
 
         for animation in animations: