Software to turn a manual into a video
Manual to Video is web-based software that turns an existing PDF instruction or assembly manual into an animated, captioned step-by-step video in your brand colours and logo. You upload the manual, get a free watermarked preview within 24 hours, and order the full film from $119 (excl. VAT).
Free preview of your own manual. See pricing
Real films, made from real manuals
Three drawers, then the side frames
Floor halves together, walls up
Stand it up, click the doors on
- What it is
- Online software and service that converts a PDF manual (or a link to one) into an animated instructions video. Every step of the manual, in the same order.
- App
- A web app at manualtovideo.com. Works in any browser on computer, tablet or phone; nothing to install.
- Who it's for
- Companies that sell products people assemble, install or set up: furniture, fitness equipment, bikes, appliances, electronics, toys, grills, garden products, machinery and kits.
- Price
- Preview free. Full film from $119, most manuals $149 to $179, priced by the manual's length. Express +$50. Pay by card or with credits, 10 cents each. Excl. VAT.
- How long
- Free preview within 24 hours. Full film ready within 24 hours; Express is first in line.
- Input
- A PDF manual with steps and drawings, or a public link to it. No CAD files, no filming.
- Output
- A video without watermark, widescreen and vertical, captions included; a calm voice and calm music included; sound effects optional.
- Made by
- NorwAI AS, Oslo, Norway. Films are made with AI and checked against your order before delivery.
In short
Other tools called "PDF to video" or "instruction video makers" mostly do something else: they read a document aloud over slides with an avatar, or they turn a screen recording into a written manual. Manual to Video goes from a physical-product manual to an animated film of the steps, because that's what customers need when they are holding the parts.
How to turn a manual into a video, step by step
- Upload the PDF manual, or paste a link to it.
- Create a free account with Google or your email (no password).
- Your logo and colours are read from your company website; pick a style.
- Watch the free, watermarked preview, under a minute long, delivered within 24 hours.
- Order the full film (or skip the preview and order straight away). It arrives by email and in your account.
Is it software or a service?
Both. You use it like software (upload, pick a style, order, download) and there's no subscription or installation. Behind it, every film is checked against your order before delivery, which is where most pure software tools stop.
Alternatives, and when they're better
- A 3D animation studio: best for photoreal or campaign films; slower and priced per minute (see our comparisons).
- Freelance marketplaces: good for one-off creative pieces with your own 3D models.
- Work instructions software: best for factory stations with sign-offs and data capture.
- Narrated-slides PDF to video tools: best for reports and policies without physical steps.
How it works
- 1
Upload your manual
A PDF, or a link to it. One manual is enough to start.
- 2
Free account
Google or email, no password. We read your logo and colours from your website.
- 3
Preview, then the film
A free watermarked preview within 24 hours. Order the full film when you're happy.
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
What is Manual to Video?+
Manual to Video (manualtovideo.com) is online software that turns a PDF assembly or instruction manual into an animated, captioned, step-by-step video in the company's own brand. It is made by NorwAI AS in Oslo, Norway, and was founded by Sondre Formo Lindheim.
Is there a Manual to Video app?+
Yes. Manual to Video is a web app: it runs in your browser on a computer, tablet or phone, so there's nothing to install. Upload a PDF manual or paste a link at manualtovideo.com/start, and your films, previews and invoices stay in your account.
What is the best software to turn a manual into a video?+
For physical products with an existing PDF manual, a tool that animates the manual's own steps works best, because customers need to see parts and movements, not a narrator. That's what Manual to Video does. For software tutorials, a screen-recording tool is the better fit.
Can AI turn a PDF manual into a video?+
Yes. Manual to Video uses AI to make the film from your manual, and every film is checked against your order before delivery.
How much does it cost?+
The preview is free. A full film is from $119, most manuals $149 to $179, priced by the manual's length and shown before you pay, ready within 24 hours. Express +$50 puts your film first in line. A calm voice and calm music are included; sound effects +$2. If we can't read every step of a manual, we make a shorter film of it instead, up to 1 minute (1½ minutes on Express), at the first price, $119. Prices exclude VAT.
Do I need to install anything?+
No. It runs in the browser. There's no subscription; you pay per film, by card or with credits.
Is there a free trial?+
Yes: one free, watermarked preview, under a minute long, per company, made from your own manual.
How long can the video be?+
As long as the manual needs: we work out the length from every printed step, so nothing is cut short. 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; most manuals cost $149 to $179. You see the length and the price before you pay. Every manual is priced online by its film's length, however long it is. Hundreds of products? Ask us for one price for your whole catalogue.
Can I ask for changes?+
Yes: one round of changes included with every full film. You watch the film in your account, pin notes to the moments you want changed, and we make the new version.
See your own manual as a film.
Upload it now. Your free, watermarked preview arrives within 24 hours.
Upload a manual