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BLBlender

Timelapse Recorder

by Jammie·Workflow

Images © Jammie. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Earns its place in the superhive library for handling both screenshot capture and video assembly inside Blender, so a timelapse comes together without a separate screen recorder.

What is Timelapse Recorder?

Timelapse Recorder is a Blender add-on from Jammie that records your working session as a series of screenshots and turns them into a timelapse video without an external screen recorder. All controls live in a dedicated panel in the 3D View sidebar, where you start and stop recording with a single click.

You set the pace by choosing a screenshot interval between half a second and five seconds, and you control screenshot resolution as a percentage of your monitor or by adapting automatically to the largest or smallest size. The add-on can pause when you're inactive and resume when you return, with a customisable inactivity timeout. Screenshots are organised into a dedicated folder in your save directory.

For output, you define the path, frame rate and resolution, and the add-on encodes with FFmpeg for MP4 files. It integrates with Blender's Video Sequence Editor to compile the screenshots into the finished video, which is named automatically from your Blender file. Supported Blender versions are 3.3, 3.6, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.

Who is Timelapse Recorder best for?

Timelapse Recorder is best for blender artists who want to record their modeling or animation sessions and turn them into timelapse videos inside Blender.

How much does Timelapse Recorder cost?

Timelapse Recorder is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Dedicated panel in the 3D View sidebar with single-click start and stop for recording and video creation settings
  • Adjustable screenshot interval from half a second to five seconds
  • Automatic pause when inactive and resume when you return, with a customisable inactivity timeout
  • Screenshot resolution control by percentage of monitor resolution, or automatic largest and smallest adaptation
  • Video output settings for path, frame rate and resolution, with FFmpeg encoding for MP4 files
  • Integration with Blender's Video Sequence Editor to compile screenshots into the final video
  • Automatic file management, organising screenshots into a dedicated folder and naming videos from the Blender file

Tags

#Timelapse#Screen recording#Video Sequence Editor#Blender add-on#Workflow#MP4 export#Screenshots

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does Timelapse Recorder support?

Timelapse Recorder lists support for Blender 3.3, 3.6, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, covering a range of releases across the 3.x and 4.x series. If you run one of those versions, the add-on's panel and recording controls should be available in the 3D View sidebar. For versions outside that list, or to confirm the current compatibility range before you install, check the developer's page so you know what to expect from your own setup.

How does Timelapse Recorder create the final video?

Timelapse Recorder builds the final video through Blender's Video Sequence Editor. After you finish recording, clicking the Create Video button imports the captured screenshots into the VSE, compiles them into a video sequence and renders the result. The add-on supports FFmpeg encoding for MP4 output, and you can define the output path, frame rate and resolution beforehand. Resolution can follow the largest or smallest screenshot size or be scaled by a percentage, giving you control over the finished file.

Can Timelapse Recorder pause while I'm away from my project?

Timelapse Recorder can pause recording when you're inactive and resume automatically when you return to your project. The inactivity timeout is customisable, so you can set how long a break should last before capture stops. This keeps idle time out of the timelapse without you stopping and starting manually. Combined with the single-click start and stop in the sidebar panel, it lets recording follow the natural rhythm of your work session.

How do I set up recording in Timelapse Recorder?

Timelapse Recorder follows a four-step flow: install the add-on in Blender, then configure the save directory, screenshot interval, desired resolution and video output settings in the Timelapse panel. Start recording and the add-on captures screenshots automatically at your chosen interval. When you're finished, click Create Video to import the screenshots into the VSE, compile them and render the timelapse. Screenshots are organised into a dedicated folder in your save directory, and the video is named automatically from your Blender file.

How much does Timelapse Recorder cost?

Timelapse Recorder is listed as free in this catalog. Pricing and licensing can change over time, so for the current terms and any download details, check the developer's page before you get it. There you can also confirm what's included and reach the creator with questions. Within Blender, the add-on installs like other add-ons and its controls appear in a dedicated Timelapse panel in the 3D View sidebar once it's enabled.

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