diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 5d256d1c3..3ec02d00f 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -472,20 +472,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/Makefile-default b/sample_projects/Makefile-default
index 5d256d1c3..3ec02d00f 100644
--- a/sample_projects/Makefile-default
+++ b/sample_projects/Makefile-default
@@ -472,20 +472,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile b/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile
index 6682b5c46..47403d061 100644
--- a/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/asymmetric_division/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile b/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile
index 26314225c..3908de537 100644
--- a/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/biorobots/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile b/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile
index b74f8837a..a5d172292 100644
--- a/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/cancer_biorobots/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile b/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile
index 5cbb2ca8f..7e525a67b 100644
--- a/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/cancer_immune/Makefile
@@ -220,20 +220,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 
 ciPATH := ./sample_projects/cancer_immune/scripts
 pov:
diff --git a/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile b/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile
index 29732af20..e344cc01b 100644
--- a/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/celltypes3/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile b/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile
index e90a9966f..8e12b3c0d 100644
--- a/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/custom_division/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/episode/Makefile b/sample_projects/episode/Makefile
index a9b43a58e..94010605d 100644
--- a/sample_projects/episode/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/episode/Makefile
@@ -235,20 +235,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output/episode00000000
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile b/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile
index 93d055ea9..cbc56586b 100644
--- a/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/heterogeneity/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile b/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile
index 8cfe66c8c..55472f8f8 100644
--- a/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/immune_function/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile b/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile
index 44db81996..79c214563 100644
--- a/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/interactions/Makefile
@@ -233,20 +233,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile b/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile
index e90a9966f..8e12b3c0d 100644
--- a/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/mechano/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile b/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile
index ed12022cb..0fc30b9de 100644
--- a/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/physimess/Makefile
@@ -249,20 +249,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile b/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile
index 06ec2705e..00185ce80 100644
--- a/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/pred_prey_farmer/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile b/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile
index d9493e2df..7499afa28 100644
--- a/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/rules_sample/Makefile
@@ -233,20 +233,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/template/Makefile b/sample_projects/template/Makefile
index 7aa7d18d2..555243f16 100644
--- a/sample_projects/template/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/template/Makefile
@@ -233,20 +233,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile b/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile
index d8c8ad4e8..74fcd9a4e 100644
--- a/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/virus_macrophage/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects/worm/Makefile b/sample_projects/worm/Makefile
index e953e28ad..43fba67b4 100644
--- a/sample_projects/worm/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects/worm/Makefile
@@ -224,20 +224,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile b/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile
index a5d3a9c68..765cdeca7 100644
--- a/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile
+++ b/sample_projects_intracellular/boolean/template_BM/Makefile
@@ -279,20 +279,19 @@ untar:
 FRAMERATE := 24
 OUTPUT := output
 
+MAGICK_DENSITY := 96
+MAGICK_RESIZE_X := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE_Y := 1024
+MAGICK_RESIZE := $(MAGICK_RESIZE_X)x$(MAGICK_RESIZE_Y)
+
 jpeg: 
-	@magick identify -format "%h" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __H.txt 
-	@magick identify -format "%w" $(OUTPUT)/initial.svg > __W.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __H.txt) / 2 \) > __H1.txt 
-	@expr 2 \* \( $$(grep . __W.txt) / 2 \) > __W1.txt 
-	@echo "$$(grep . __W1.txt)!x$$(grep . __H1.txt)!" > __resize.txt 
-	@magick mogrify -format jpg -resize $$(grep . __resize.txt) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
-	rm -f __H*.txt __W*.txt __resize.txt 
+	magick mogrify -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) -format jpg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg
 	
 gif: 
-	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
+	magick -density $(MAGICK_DENSITY) $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg -resize $(MAGICK_RESIZE) $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/unit_tests/custom_DCs_2substrates/Makefile b/unit_tests/custom_DCs_2substrates/Makefile
index faa887869..8d450b77f 100644
--- a/unit_tests/custom_DCs_2substrates/Makefile
+++ b/unit_tests/custom_DCs_2substrates/Makefile
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ gif:
 	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules 
 
diff --git a/unit_tests/custom_voxel_values/Makefile b/unit_tests/custom_voxel_values/Makefile
index e27362f79..39ae0c868 100644
--- a/unit_tests/custom_voxel_values/Makefile
+++ b/unit_tests/custom_voxel_values/Makefile
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ gif:
 	magick convert $(OUTPUT)/s*.svg $(OUTPUT)/out.gif 
 	 
 movie:
-	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
+	ffmpeg -r $(FRAMERATE) -f image2 -i $(OUTPUT)/snapshot%08d.jpg -vf "pad=ceil(iw/2)*2:ceil(ih/2)*2" -vcodec libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -strict -2 -tune animation -crf 15 -acodec none $(OUTPUT)/out.mp4
 	
 # upgrade rules