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====== Creating a video ======

GroIMP comes with a video plugin that can create animations from pictures taken from the 3D model. This includes automatically running RGG functions while taking pictures.

==== Requirements ====

The video plugin of GroIMP uses the free software [[https://ffmpeg.org/|ffmpeg]] for video creation. This software is not included in GroIMP and needs to be added and linked in the GroIMP preferences panel (''Panels > Preferences''). In the preferences, under ''video/ffmpeg'', the command field must be set to the path of the FFmpeg executable.

Linking FFmpeg is possible in two ways:

1. Install FFmpeg and set the preference to the cmd command:

  - On Linux and Mac this can be done using a package manager like apt or brew.
  - On Windows: [[https://www.wikihow.com/Install-FFmpeg-on-Windows|this tutorial]] can help.

2. Download the executable and add the absolute path to the preferences:

  - The FFmpeg executables can be found at [[https://www.ffmpeg.org/download.html]].

**Changing preferences can be a bit tricky!** Please verify that the change was saved by switching to other preference pages and back.

==== Step by step ====

  - Open your project: this should work with all projects; however, for very large projects, an automated approach might be preferable.
  - Open the video generator panel: It can be found under ''Panels > Video Generator''. (The preview will be dark initially — this is normal.)
  - Find the right setup to start: the video plugin captures images of the 3D view, so the angle of the video is defined by the current view.
  - Select the renderer: In the panel section ''Image Rendering'', you can select the renderer, similar to the renderer used in the 3D view. (It is possible to change the renderer during video creation.)
  - Render an image or start automatic rendering: By clicking ''Render'' or ''Auto Render'', you can create a single picture or a series of pictures.
  - Edit captured images: Use the control bar below the preview to play the animation or browse through the images. You can delete the displayed image with the ''X'' button or delete all images with the ''trashcan'' button.
  - Repeat: Starting again from step 3, you can combine steps as you wish to add images to the animation.
  - Export: In the ''Video Generation'' section, select the output path and the video format (e.g., gif, mp4). The FPS (frames per second) setting controls how long each image is shown and thus the speed of the video (you can preview the speed in the preview). Finally, click ''Generate Video''.

==== Troubleshoot ====

  - If the panel is too small, the control buttons in the preview may be hidden.
  - After compiling, the panel has to be reopened to find new RGG functions.
  - Reopening the panel will remove all previously taken pictures.