New Video Render Options: More Control Over Format, Resolution, and Length

A construction timelapse is only useful once it becomes a video someone can actually watch. Getting from thousands of individual photos to a clean, shareable clip is what the render step is for, and it is one part of TimelapseRobot that people asked us to improve. So we rebuilt the video renderer with a lot more control. You can now choose the format, resolution, frame rate, and even the exact final length of your export. Here is what changed.

Two Export Formats

The renderer now offers two output formats. H264 (.mp4) is the everyday choice: small file sizes, plays everywhere, and perfect for sharing a timelapse with a client or posting it online. ProRes (.mov) is built for editing. If your clip is going into a larger video project or needs color grading, ProRes keeps far more image quality for post-production. Pick MP4 when the render is the final product, and ProRes when it is a starting point.

Resolution and Frame Rate

You can now render at 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), or 2160p (4K). There is also an "As uploaded" option that keeps the original resolution of your photos, which is handy when you want the sharpest possible result without downscaling. 720p and 1080p are available on every plan. 4K and "As uploaded" are part of our paid plans, for when you need the maximum detail. On top of that, you can set the frame rate: 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 FPS. 24 gives that filmic look, 25 matches European (PAL) broadcast, and 29.97 or 30 line up with NTSC and most online platforms. Small choices, but they matter once your footage sits next to other video.

Set the Exact Length You Want

This is the part we are most happy with. A long build can produce thousands of frames. At 24 FPS, a project with 16,074 photos would naturally run 11 minutes and 10 seconds, which is usually far longer than anyone wants to watch. With the new Target Video Length control, you just type in how long the final video should be, for example 1 minute, and the renderer builds the clip to match. No manual math, no guessing how many frames add up to the right runtime.

Better Feedback While You Export

We also reworked the progress display in the download area. There was always a progress bar before, but it only showed a rough status and told you little about where your render actually stood. Now you get detailed feedback on what the renderer is doing and how far along it is, so a longer 4K export no longer feels like a black box.

Rendering used to be the least flexible step in the workflow. Now it is one of the most controllable. Whether you need a quick MP4 for a site update or a 4K ProRes master for an edit, the options are there. If you have a project running, give the new renderer a try and let us know how it fits your workflow.