Video Export

Export your ASCII animations as video files for sharing on social media, embedding in presentations, or archiving.

Supported Formats

Format	Extension	Pros	Cons
WebM	.webm	Modern, efficient	Limited support in Safari
MP4	.mp4	Universal support	Larger files

Accessing Video Export

Click Export in the toolbar

Select Video from the format dropdown

Choose WebM or MP4

Configure settings

Click Export

Video Settings

Size Multiplier

Multiplier	Resolution	Use Case
1x	Original	Quick previews
2x	Double	Social media
4x	Quadruple	High quality

Frame Rate

Control playback speed:

FPS	Description	Use Case
1-5	Very slow	Dramatic reveals
10-15	Standard	Most animations
24-30	Smooth	Professional quality
60	Ultra smooth	Fast action

Info

Frame rate determines how fast the animation plays. Higher FPS = smoother but larger files.

Frame Range

Choose which frames to export:

All frames - Export entire animation
Custom range - Select start and end frames

Quality

For WebM format:

Quality	Description
High	Best quality, larger files
Medium	Balanced
Low	Smallest files

For MP4 format:

Uses CRF (Constant Rate Factor):

Lower CRF = Higher quality, larger file
Higher CRF = Lower quality, smaller file

Loops

Repeat the animation in the export:

Option	Result
None	Plays once
2x	Plays twice
4x	Plays four times
8x	Plays eight times

Info

Loops are useful for creating longer videos from short animations, perfect for social media.

Include Grid

Toggle whether the grid lines appear in the video.

Format Comparison

WebM Format

Uses VP9 codec via WebCodecs API
Excellent compression
Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Limited Safari support

Best for:

Web embedding
Discord, Slack sharing
Technical audiences

Export Process

Video export works differently from image export:

Click Export to start

Each frame is rendered sequentially

Progress bar shows completion status

Video is encoded in the browser

Download starts when complete

Warning

Don't close the browser tab during video export. The process happens locally and will be interrupted if you navigate away.

Workflow Examples

For Twitter/X

Select MP4 format

Set Size Multiplier to 2x

Set Frame Rate to 15-24 FPS

Set Loops to 4x or 8x for longer video

Export

For Discord

Select WebM format (smaller files)

Keep Size at 1x or 2x

Set Frame Rate to 15 FPS

Export and share

For Presentations

Select MP4 format

Set Size Multiplier to 4x

Set Frame Rate to 24-30 FPS

Disable loops or set to 2x

Export for embedding in slides

For Maximum Quality

Select either format

Set Size Multiplier to 4x

Set Frame Rate to 30-60 FPS

Set Quality to High (WebM) or low CRF (MP4)

Export

Performance Considerations

Export Time

Factors affecting export time:

Number of frames
Canvas size
Size multiplier
Quality setting

Optimization Tips

Use 2x instead of 4x if file size matters
Lower FPS reduces file size significantly
WebM produces smaller files than MP4
Test with "Medium" quality before using "High"

Troubleshooting

Export Takes Too Long

Reduce size multiplier
Lower frame rate
Use fewer frames (custom range)
Try WebM instead of MP4

Video Won't Play

Try MP4 for broader compatibility
Check if the player supports WebM
Ensure the file downloaded completely

File Size Too Large

Reduce size multiplier
Lower quality setting
Reduce frame count
Use WebM format

Quality Issues

Increase size multiplier
Use higher quality setting
Ensure original artwork has good contrast
Check that grid is disabled (unless desired)

Technical Notes

Info

Video export uses the WebCodecs API for efficient browser-based encoding. This modern API provides near-native encoding performance.

Browser Requirements

Chrome 94+, Firefox 130+, Edge 94+ for WebCodecs
Safari: Use MP4 fallback
Hardware acceleration recommended

File Size Estimates

Settings	Approximate Size (10-frame animation)
1x, 10fps, Medium	~100-500 KB
2x, 15fps, High	~500 KB - 2 MB
4x, 30fps, High	~2-10 MB

Actual sizes vary based on content complexity.