Hiring an animator vs a film made from your manual
Both give you an animated assembly video. They differ in what you have to supply, how long it takes, what it costs and how much creative control you get.
The short answer
Published 3D studio rates start around $600 per minute, plus 3D modelling, with 10–20 business days to deliver. A film made from your manual here is from $119, most manuals $149 to $179, ready within 24 hours, with a free preview first.
Hire an animator when you need a bespoke, photoreal or campaign film. Use your manual when you need clear assembly instructions, especially for many products.
| Animator or studio | Film from your manual | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | From $600 per minute, plus modelling | From $119, most manuals $149 to $179, priced by the film's length |
| Time to deliver | 10–20 business days | Ready within 24 hours; Express first in line |
| What you supply | Brief, CAD or product samples, reference, feedback rounds | The manual (PDF or link) |
| Try before paying | Usually a quote, sometimes a paid storyboard | Free watermarked preview, under a minute long |
| Look | Anything you can brief and pay for | Your brand colours and logo, in a style you pick |
| Best for | Launch films, photoreal renders, trade shows | Customer assembly instructions, whole catalogues |
Other providers' figures are published starting rates or listings we checked, not quotes. Our prices exclude VAT.
Where an animator is worth it
- You need photoreal materials and lighting for marketing
- The film has to tell a brand story, not only show steps
- You have CAD and want engineering-accurate exploded views
- You need live action, presenters or a specific director's style
Where your manual is enough
- The goal is fewer mistakes, tickets and returns
- You need films for many products, fast, in one consistent style
- The manual is already correct and approved
- You'd like to see a result before paying anything
Using both
Plenty of brands do: a studio film for the hero product launch, and manual-based films for the full range and the support pages.
Price
Preview
Free
A short film made from your own manual, under a minute, with a watermark, one manual per company
Full film
from $119excl. VAT
Most manuals $149 to $179, priced by your manual's length and shown before you pay, within 24 hours
Express
+$50excl. VAT
Your film goes first in line
Up to 3 min: $119 · 3 to 6 min: $149 · 6 to 10 min: $179 · 10 to 15 min: $219 · 15 to 20 min: $259 · Over 20 min: $259 + $40 per 5 min. Voice and calm music included. Sound effects +$2. Pay by card or with credits: 1 credit is 10 cents. All prices are in US dollars and exclude VAT. VAT is added at checkout where it applies; businesses can enter their VAT number.
Full pricingQuestions
Are the studio prices exact?+
No. They're published starting rates for comparison, not quotes. Your price depends on the studio, the length and the modelling needed.
Can I give you our own style guide?+
Your logo and colours are read from your website and you pick a style. The editor add-on ($49 per film) lets you change colours, fonts and style after delivery.
See your own manual as a film.
Upload it now. Your free, watermarked preview arrives within 24 hours.
Upload a manual