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Next To

Description​

The next_to function is used to place one mobject next to another mobject in the specified direction, optionally adding buffer and edge alignment. Use close_to instead to avoid collisions with other mobjects that next_to might cause, though close_to also requires specifying potentially colliding mobjects.

Parameters​

  • mobject_or_point (Mobject | Point3D): The target mobject or point to place this mobject next to.
  • direction (Vector3, default=RIGHT): The direction to place this mobject relative to the target. Must be a bounding box point (e.g., UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT).
  • aligned_edge (Vector3 | None, optional): The edge to align perpendicular to direction.
  • buff (float, default=DEFAULT_MOBJECT_TO_MOBJECT_BUFFER): The buffer distance between the mobjects.

Examples​

Example 1​

A circle beneath a rotated rectangle.

Note: Bounding box points are shown for demo purposes. They are not included in the code.

from smanim import *

circle = Circle(radius=0.5, color=DARK_GRAY)
rect = Rectangle(color=GRAY).rotate(PI / 8)
circle.next_to(rect, DOWN)
canvas.add(circle, rect)
canvas.draw(crop=True, ignore_bg=True)
Next to Example 1

Example 2​

A circle to the right of a rectangle, with their bottom (down) edges aligned. A Text label above the rectangle.

from smanim import *

circle = Circle(radius=0.5, color=DARK_GRAY)
rect = Rectangle(width=1, height=2, color=GRAY)
circle.next_to(rect, RIGHT, DOWN)

rect_label = Text("rect", color=GRAY).next_to(rect, UP)

canvas.add(circle, rect, rect_label)
canvas.draw(crop=True, ignore_bg=True)
Next to Example 2