BlitzReels Motion Graphics (Playground API)
Create and edit motion graphics compositions via the Playground API. Build animated scenes with text, shapes, images, video, charts, code blocks, and more.
Quick Start
# List available presets
bash scripts/playground.sh list-presets PROJECT_ID
# Create a composition from a JSON file
bash scripts/playground.sh create PROJECT_ID spec.json
# Create from inline JSON
bash scripts/playground.sh create PROJECT_ID '{"name":"Title Card","fps":30,"width":1920,"height":1080,"durationInFrames":90,"mode":"elements","elements":[{"id":"title","type":"text","content":"Hello World","style":{"fontSize":96,"fontWeight":"bold","color":"#fff","display":"flex","justifyContent":"center","alignItems":"center"}}]}'
# Get, update, delete
bash scripts/playground.sh get PROJECT_ID COMP_ID
bash scripts/playground.sh update PROJECT_ID COMP_ID updated-spec.json
bash scripts/playground.sh delete PROJECT_ID COMP_ID
# Export the project
bash scripts/playground.sh export PROJECT_ID --resolution 1080p
Workflow
- Create a project (or use an existing one)
- Browse presets —
playground.sh list-presets for inspiration - Build composition spec — JSON describing canvas, elements, and animations
- Create composition —
playground.sh create - Iterate — Update elements, adjust timing, add animations
- Export —
playground.sh export
Scripts
scripts/playground.sh
Purpose-built CRUD wrapper for playground compositions.
| Command | Usage |
|---|
list-presets | playground.sh list-presets <projectId> |
list | playground.sh list <projectId> |
create | `playground.sh create <projectId> <spec.json\ | -\ | JSON>` |
get | playground.sh get <projectId> <compositionId> |
update | playground.sh update <projectId> <compositionId> <spec> |
delete | playground.sh delete <projectId> <compositionId> |
export | playground.sh export <projectId> [--resolution 1080p] |
Run bash scripts/playground.sh --help for full usage.
scripts/blitzreels.sh
Generic API helper for ad-hoc calls.
Environment Variables
| Variable | Required | Description |
|---|
BLITZREELS_API_KEY | Yes | API key |
BLITZREELS_API_BASE_URL | No | Override base URL |
BLITZREELS_ALLOW_EXPENSIVE | No | Set to 1 for export calls via blitzreels.sh |
API Endpoints
Playground Compositions
| Method | Path | Description |
|---|
| GET | /projects/{id}/playground/presets | List preset templates |
| GET | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions | List compositions |
| POST | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions | Create composition |
| GET | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions/{cid} | Get composition |
| PATCH | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions/{cid} | Update composition |
| DELETE | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions/{cid} | Delete composition |
Element-Level Operations
| Method | Path | Description |
|---|
| PATCH | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions/{cid}/elements/{eid} | Update single element |
| DELETE | /projects/{id}/playground/compositions/{cid}/elements/{eid} | Delete element |
Project Operations
| Method | Path | Description |
|---|
| POST | /projects | Create project |
| POST | /projects/{id}/export | Start export (expensive) |
| GET | /exports/{export_id} | Get export status + download URL |
Composition Spec
The composition JSON spec defines the canvas, elements, and animations. See references/composition-spec.md for the full schema.
Minimal Example
{
"name": "Title Card",
"fps": 30,
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080,
"durationInFrames": 150,
"background": "#1a1a2e",
"mode": "elements",
"elements": [
{
"id": "title",
"type": "text",
"content": "Hello World",
"from": 0,
"durationInFrames": 150,
"style": {
"fontSize": 96,
"fontWeight": "bold",
"color": "#ffffff",
"opacity": {
"keyframes": [
{ "frame": 0, "value": 0 },
{ "frame": 30, "value": 1 }
]
}
}
}
]
}
Element Types
| Type | Description |
|---|
text | Text with typewriter, highlight effects |
shape | Rectangle, circle, ellipse, line, arrow, polygon, star |
image | Static image with optional Ken Burns effect |
video | Video clip with volume, loop, playback control |
audio | Audio track |
chart | Bar, pie, line, area, donut charts with animated reveal |
code | Syntax-highlighted code with line-by-line reveal |
svg | SVG with path draw/morph animations |
group | Container for child elements (parallel or series) |
lottie | Lottie animation from JSON or URL |
Animation Options
- Static values:
"opacity": 1 - Keyframes: Frame-by-frame with easing
- Spring physics:
smooth, snappy, bouncy, heavy, gentle presets - Easing:
linear, easeIn, easeOut, easeInOut, elastic, bounce, bezier
Scene Transitions (scenes mode)
fade, slide, wipe, flip, clockWipe — with directional variants.
Timeline & Overlay Editing
For editing existing video projects (not playground compositions), use these endpoints:
| Method | Path | Description |
|---|
| GET | /projects/{id}/context?mode=timeline | Get project timeline |
| POST | /projects/{id}/overlays | Add text/image overlay |
| PATCH | /projects/{id}/overlays/{oid} | Update overlay |
| DELETE | /projects/{id}/overlays/{oid} | Remove overlay |
| POST | /projects/{id}/captions | Add/update captions |
| PATCH | /projects/{id}/captions/style | Update caption style |
References
references/composition-spec.md — Full composition JSON schema, element types, animation format, spring presets, transitions
Notes
- Use
https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1 as your base URL. https://blitzreels.com redirects to www, and some HTTP clients drop the Authorization header on redirects. - When animating, prefer the smallest number of keyframes that communicates the motion (reduces jitter).
- Full OpenAPI spec:
https://www.blitzreels.com/api/openapi.json
Rate Limits
| Plan | Requests/min |
|---|
| Free | 10 |
| Creator | 30 |
| Pro | 60 |
| Agency | 120 |
