13 Best Timelapse Software for Windows & Mac
Among the most fascinating content for photography is time lapse where you fit a multi-hour recording into just a few minutes. A technique known as “time-lapse photography” involves taking pictures or films at a slower frame rate and then playing them back at a normal or faster pace. A time lapse video editor captures the gradual transformation of objects or scenes over a brief period, creating an amazing sped-up image that is typically not visible to the human eye. It is frequently employed while shooting scenarios like day-to-night transitions, natural transformations, landscapes, urban settings and so many more.
There are cameras with built-in time lapse editing tools functionalities. However, most do not have them. Therefore, you need to get still-shot photos and edit them. And you need a good deal of time lapse software to do the job for you.
In this post, we will provide the best free time-lapse software for Windows and Mac in 2023.
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List of Best Timelapse Software for Windows and Mac
1. Panolapse
Panolapse is a free software with many excellent features. The most outstanding one is its capability to add rotational planning to time-lapse videos. Typically, to move the camera around, you would have to use a motorized track, which can occasionally be very constricting. Panolapse serves as your motorized head and corrects 3D perspective to give the rotational pan a natural-looking appearance.
Another of Panolapse fantastic feature is its raw blend where users are allowed to combine numerous frames including black and white balance without difficulty. To stop flickering when switching frames, you can also edit and modify the brightness level for each frame.
Panolapse is a great software that not only allows users to create time-lapse videos but also panoramas.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Pro is another amazing time-lapse software that comes with a premium price and a comprehensive pack of features. Its broad toolkit enables you to edit the video however you choose as long as you have the source footage, in whatever format it is. You might never need another time-lapse tool once you have this software.
A wide range of editing options, including those for color correction, playback speed control, and imitating camera movement, are offered by this top-notch program.
3. Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects excels in creating beautiful visual artwork. There are numerous effects you may use with it.
You can use it to add after-effects to your video after it has been substantially edited. Even though it is not the industry standard editing program like Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Lightroom, you can use it to enhance the by-products of the said software.
Plugin compatibility, several simulation effects, a 3D transformation tool, and more are some of its features.
4. SkyStudio
Another free time-lapse program for Windows is called SkyStudio. It is compatible with any image-capturing tool, including your webcam. The camera may start recording per second as soon as it notices movement thanks to its motion detection capability. Additionally, it slows down the time-lapse so you can recognize the object that is moving.
You can create stop-motion videos using its new SkyStudio video compiler by shooting several pictures and then combining them into a video with the compiler. It captures video of any size and frame rate and enables high-quality nighttime recording. Additionally, this program supports two devices running at once.
5. Chronolapse
Chronolapse is among the best software to create time-lapse videos for Windows and Mac. With Chronolapse workflow, you can automatically take still images with your webcam and then edit them together to make a time-lapse video. The collected videos can also have an audio file added to them, as well as be cropped, scaled, and filtered whatever you choose.
It’s crucial to remember that you have additional options besides just using your webcam to shoot photos; you can also import photos from other places. Videos can be annotated. Last but not least, Chronolapse supports two monitors.
6. LRTimelapse
LRTimelapse is an excellent program for both Windows and Mac that comes in free and paid versions. A practical solution for frame-by-frame manipulation, gradation, keyframe creation, and rendering is provided by this free timelapse software. By allowing the user to edit each photo in Lightroom using the full dynamic range and camera quality, LRTimelapse shortens the time needed to edit the video.
This app is widely used because filmmakers and photographers will benefit most from this robust time-lapse-producing software’s ability to export videos in up to 8k resolution.
7. VirtualdDup
VirtualDup is an amazing video editing software that provides time-lapse capabilities because it is open-source. Despite having fewer editing features, it is the ideal option for computer users who want to create time-lapse videos due to its batch-processing skills.
However, because it is the most challenging option on the list, I do not suggest this software for novices. Before creating time-lapse videos, I urge you to experiment with VirtualDub and become comfortable with it.
8. GoPro Quik
GoPro is another fantastic feature-rich software. The app GoPro is a great way to begin editing live video from a GoPro camera or any other GoPro substitute even while on the fly. It can automatically produce music-synchronized videos.
This timelapse software offers more advanced capabilities, such as the ability to add photos or intervals, as well as attractive graphs and charts that show how quickly an action camera can capture images.
9. Final Cut Pro
Unquestionably, one of the best time-lapse Mac programs is Final Cut Pro X. It is incredibly straightforward, simplistic, and simple to use without imposing any restrictions. The software comes with a ton of features at a reasonable fee, including tools for grouping, adding and modifying audio, editing with numerous cameras, and special effects on an unlimited number of tracks.
10. iMovie
A more user-friendly time-lapse tool is iMovie. It is appropriate for producing time-lapse videos at home. You can drag and drop videos onto the timeline with this function. It offers a simple user interface and is free.
Even though iMovie isn’t one of the most sophisticated time-lapse apps, it may be used to make time-lapse home videos.
11. MakeAvi
Another modest software is MakeAvi. Making little use of system resources, MakeAvi is a lightweight time-lapse program. One goal in mind when developing this software was to make it as simple as possible for you to make a time-lapse video. It can save files in a variety of formats, but only AVI files are supported for time-lapse videos.
Professional photographers and filmmakers should not use this software. However, it’s wonderful for making home movies with.
12. Filmora
A freemium tool for Windows and Mac users is Filmora. With this software, making time-lapse videos is simple. The outcomes you receive when making time-lapse videos mostly depend on the video quality. Before editing, take high-quality photos or videos for a better outcome.
13. Photolapse
Another small tool that creates time-lapse videos from JPEG images is called Photolapse. All Windows versions are compatible with this free tool. Here, it’s incredibly simple to make a time-lapse. In reality, all that is required is to choose the folder containing the photographs, and you’re done.
FAQ
1. How can I create a time lapse?
To create time lapse videos, you can use one of the best time lapse software available. Some popular options are lrtimelapse software and free time lapse tools. These software enable you to convert a series of photos or videos into a time-lapse video, allowing you to easily capture the passage of time in a visually appealing manner. To make time lapse videos, start by finding a suitable subject or scene to capture.
Set up your camera on a stable surface or use a tripod to avoid any shaky footage. Adjust the camera settings according to the lighting conditions and the desired effect. Then, shoot time lapse frames at regular intervals over a period of time. Once you have enough frames, transfer them to a computer and use editing software to compile and export the frames as a time-lapse video. Finally, save the edited video file and share your beautiful creation with others.
2. What is time lapse photography?
Timelapse photography involves capturing a series of photos at regular intervals and then combining them into a video to show the passage of time. With time lapse photography software, you can condense hours, days, or even weeks of footage into a few seconds or minutes, enabling you to witness events or processes that occur slowly over time in a short-duration video. Time lapse photography is a technique that captures a sequence of photos over a specific period of time and then combines them into a video clip.
Advanced timelapse techniques, along with the best time lapse editing software, allow for the creation of stunning visuals. After capturing the photos, one can import them into the software and the software provides options to edit and enhance the images before the time-lapse video will play. Popular software options include iMovie, which allows users to easily import photos and create a time-lapse video in iMovie.
3. What is the best time lapse software?
The best time lapse software options vary depending on your specific needs and requirements. Some popular choices among photographers and videographers are lrtimelapse software and Chronolapse, SkyStudio and Adobe Pro. These programs offer advanced features for editing and creating breathtaking time-lapse videos.
The best time lapse software provides a seamless experience for capturing and editing time-lapse footage. It is compatible with professional cameras and offers a complete suite of features for editing and enhancing the captured footage. With this software, users can easily record a video and use the comprehensive editing tools to create stunning time-lapse videos.
4. How many frames per second (FPS) should I use for my time lapse video?
The number of frames per second (FPS) impacts the speed of your time-lapse video. The speed of the video depends on how smooth or fast you want the final output to be. A common frame rate for time lapse videos is 10 frames per second. However, you can experiment with different frame rates to achieve the desired effect. When creating a time lapse video, the frame rate is crucial. Most time lapses are shot at 24 or 30 frames per second (FPS).
This frame rate allows for smooth video playback and is widely supported in the editing process. However, if you want a slower motion effect, shooting at a lower frame rate and then adjusting the video playback speed during the editing process is a solution. Mac computers, especially those with Adobe Camera Raw, have various solution for frame-by-frame editing and exporting the video at normal speed.
5. Can I shoot a time lapse with just my smartphone?
Yes, you can shoot a time lapse with just your smartphone. There are several time lapse app options available for both iOS and Android devices. These apps allow you to set the desired interval between shots and capture a series of photos that can later be merged into a time-lapse video. Yes, you can make a time lapse video with just your smartphone. Most smartphones have the capability to set the interval at which photos are taken, allowing you to easily capture time intervals.
There are also simple software or apps available on Mac and PC that allow you to compile these photos into a time-lapse video. While smartphones may not have all the advanced features that GoPro cameras offer, they can still produce impressive results in the form of AVI video files.
6. What is time-lapse video editing software?
Time-lapse video editing software is specifically designed to help you edit and enhance your time-lapse footage. These software tools allow you to adjust exposure, add effects, stabilize shaky footage, and create a polished final product. Examples of popular time-lapse Time-lapse video editing software is a piece of software used to create time-lapse videos. It allows photographers and videographers to condense long periods of time into shorter videos, showcasing the passage of time in a visually stunning way.
Some of the 5 best time-lapse editing software options available allow users to import their photos or video clips, adjust speed settings, create a sequence, add transitions and effects, and export the final product in various formats. This software is a powerful tool for creating stunning time lapse videos and is a must-have for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion
There you have it, our 13 of the best free timelapse software in 2023 for Windows and Mac that can help you create stunning time-lapse videos that you could share not only with your family and friends but with the world.
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