title: “Animating Rubik’s Cube in Manim” format: revealjs editor: visual —

Introduction

The Kociemba algorithm is a two-phase method for efficiently solving a Rubik’s Cube. It first reduces the cube to a specific subset of states (Phase 1), then finds an optimal solution from that subset to the solved state (Phase 2). This approach enables near-optimal solutions, often within 20 moves. Practically, it’s used in speed-solving programs, cube-solving robots, and educational tools due to its balance of speed and accuracy in finding efficient solutions.

The Rubik’s Cube is a 3D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik. It’s a classic brain teaser that challenges players to twist and turn the cube until each face displays a single color. The original cube is a 3x3, but there are also variations like the 4x4 and 2x2.

In this presentation, we’ll cover: - Creating a 3D scene - Displaying titles and transitions - Solving the Rubik’s cube using the Kociemba algorithm - Applying offsets and ambient rotations - Highlighting specific faces

Setup and Imports

from manim import *
from manim_rubikscube import *
  • from manim import *: Imports all core classes and functions from the Manim animation library.
  • from manim_rubikscube import *: Adds Rubik’s Cube specific rendering and animation capabilities.

Class Definition and Title

class CombinedRubiksCubeAnimations(ThreeDScene):
    def construct(self):
        title = Text("CFOP Method To Solve Rubik's Cube", font_size=30, color=BLUE).to_edge(UP)
        self.play(Write(title))
        self.add_fixed_in_frame_mobjects(title)
  • class CombinedRubiksCubeAnimations(ThreeDScene): Inherits from ThreeDScene for 3D rendering.
  • Text(...): Creates the main title text.
  • .to_edge(UP): Positions the title at the top of the scene.
  • self.play(Write(title)): Animates writing of the title.
  • add_fixed_in_frame_mobjects(...): Keeps the title fixed while the 3D scene rotates.

Title

Part 1: Solve Rubik’s Cube

title_part1 = Text("CFOP Method To Solve Rubik's Cube", font_size=28, color=BLUE).to_edge(UP, buff=0.2)
self.play(Transform(title, title_part1))
  • Smooth transition from the initial title to a resized version.
cube1 = RubiksCube(colors=[WHITE, ORANGE, DARK_BLUE, YELLOW, PINK, "#00FF00"]).scale(0.6)
self.move_camera(phi=50 * DEGREES, theta=160 * DEGREES)
self.renderer.camera.frame_center = cube1.get_center()
  • Initializes a cube with custom sticker colors.
  • .scale(0.6): Makes the cube slightly smaller.
  • move_camera(...): Adjusts the 3D camera for a better perspective.
  • camera.frame_center: Centers the camera view on the cube.
state = "BBFBUBUDFDDUURDDURLLLDFRBFRLLFFDLUFBDUBBLFFUDLRRRBLURR"
cube1.set_state(state)
  • Configures cube into a specific mixed state using a 54-character string.
self.play(FadeIn(cube1))
self.wait(0.3)
  • Animates the appearance of the cube.

Scrambed Cube
for m in cube1.solve_by_kociemba(state):
    self.play(CubeMove(cube1, m), run_time=1.5)
    self.wait(0.3)
  • solve_by_kociemba(...): Generates a sequence of moves to solve the cube.
  • CubeMove(...): Plays each move one by one.

Solving the Cube

Solving the Cube
self.play(Rotating(cube1, radians=2 * PI, run_time=2))
self.begin_ambient_camera_rotation(rate=0.5)
self.wait(4)
self.stop_ambient_camera_rotation()
  • Spins the cube 360°.
  • Slowly rotates the camera during wait.
  • Ends camera rotation.

Rotating Solved Cube

Part 2: Three Offset Cube

self.play(FadeOut(cube1))
title_part2 = Text("Three Offset", font_size=28, color=BLUE).to_edge(UP, buff=0.2)
self.play(Transform(title, title_part2))
  • Transitions the title to indicate the next section.
cube2 = RubiksCube(x_offset=3, y_offset=3, z_offset=3, 
                  colors=[WHITE, ORANGE, DARK_BLUE, YELLOW, PINK, "#00FF00"]).scale(0.5)
  • Moves the cube away from the center in 3D space.

Three Offset
self.play(FadeIn(cube2))
self.begin_ambient_camera_rotation(rate=0.5)
self.wait(3)
self.stop_ambient_camera_rotation()
self.play(FadeOut(cube2))
  • Fade in, rotate camera, and fade out the offset cube.

Part 3: Y-Offset Cube

title_part3 = Text("Y-Offset 4", font_size=28, color=BLUE).to_edge(UP, buff=0.2)
self.play(Transform(title, title_part3))

cube3 = RubiksCube(y_offset=4, 
                  colors=[WHITE, ORANGE, DARK_BLUE, YELLOW, PINK, "#00FF00"]).scale(0.6)
  • Demonstrates how y_offset=4 lifts the cube vertically.

Y-Offset 4
self.play(FadeIn(cube3))
self.begin_ambient_camera_rotation(rate=0.5)
self.wait(3)
self.stop_ambient_camera_rotation()
self.play(FadeOut(cube3))

  • camera rotations

Part 4: Indicate Front Face

title_part4 = Text("Indicate Front Face", font_size=28, color=BLUE).to_edge(UP, buff=0.2)
self.play(Transform(title, title_part4))

cube4 = RubiksCube(colors=[WHITE, ORANGE, DARK_BLUE, YELLOW, PINK, "#00FF00"]).scale(0.6)
  • Resets to a neutral cube and changes title.
  • Shows the front face
self.play(FadeIn(cube4))
self.play(Indicate(VGroup(*cube4.get_face("F"))))
  • get_face("F"): Gets the front face of the cube.
  • Indicate(...): Briefly highlights it (like pulsing/glow).

Indicate Front Face

Wrap Up

self.play(FadeOut(cube4))
self.play(FadeOut(title))
  • Smoothly concludes the scene.
  • Fades the content from the animation screen

FadeOut All the Content