geeklee/srt-whiteboard-animation

What it solves

This project automates the creation of whiteboard-style animation videos from SRT subtitle files. It solves the problem of manually timing and animating hand-drawn elements to match spoken narration, transforming text-based content like stories, lessons, or scripts into professional-looking, hand-drawn MP4 videos.

How it works

The process is driven by subtitles and follows a step-by-step confirmation workflow to ensure quality. First, it parses SRT files to suggest storyboards and visual strategies. Users then define drawing areas, sequences, and timing using an annotation.json file, which can be adjusted in a provided browser-based preview tool. The system uses a "streaming ink" technique—first drawing the line art, then adding color—to create the effect of a hand drawing on a warm beige paper background.

Who it’s for

It is designed for content creators, educators, and storytellers who want to produce minimalist, hand-drawn whiteboard animations without complex video editing software. It is ideal for those who prefer a structured, narrative-driven workflow where visual elements are synchronized with specific subtitle events.

Highlights

• Subtitle-Driven Animation: Automatically aligns drawing sequences and timing with the narrative flow of your subtitles.
• Streaming Ink Technique: Mimics natural drawing by layering line art followed by color fills.
• Interactive Preview Tool: Includes a browser-based interface to fine-tune drawing regions, order, and timing before rendering.
• Modular Workflow: Supports rendering individual scenes and merging them into a final MP4, with built-in checks to prevent premature revealing of elements.
• Consistent Visual Style: Enforces a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a warm beige paper background and simple sketch lines.