Product Changelog

New Features

• Fullscreen preview mode for a more immersive editing and review workflow
• ProRes MOV export, including transparent ProRes 4444 output for alpha-safe delivery
• 3D environment backgrounds for supported device frames, with selectable scenes and depth-of-field controls
• Option to hide desktop icons while recording for a cleaner capture setup

Improvements

• Refreshed recent projects browser for faster project browsing and reopening
• Timeline editing feels smoother with synced audio waveforms on video clips, clearer block labels, empty-track placeholders, resize haptics, and faster waveform loading
• Improved 3D device presentation with better cursor-follow framing, perspective, glass rendering, and environment handling

Bug Fixes

• Fixed device frame picker aspect filtering so compatible frames are shown more reliably
• Fixed stale preview and waveform state when switching projects or reopening crop editing
• Fixed webcam preview reframing drag behavior
• Fixed SDR recording export color metadata for more accurate playback
• Fixed custom 3D environment texture caching and several 3D depth-of-field and aliasing issues
• Prevented accidental deletion of the final video segment

Improvements

• Stereo audio export now preserves two-channel output more reliably
• Manual zoom center picker is more precise and easier to adjust
• Metal texture handling is more efficient for smoother preview and rendering performance

Bug Fixes

• Fixed recorder stopping state so the UI exits recording more reliably
• Fixed the editor reopening the same project after window close, which could leave editor hotkeys unresponsive
• Fixed a timeline ruler crash
• Cleaned up the device frame tab for a simpler editing experience

Bug Fixes

• Zoom-out transitions now return to the original framing more cleanly without the extra push past center

New Features

• App Store export preset for faster export setup with storefront-friendly defaults
• Solidness control for the redaction tool for more flexible concealment intensity

Improvements

• Redaction now uses a blur-based effect for a more polished and natural result
• Simpler annotation controls and a smoother flow for creating annotation blocks on the timeline
• Timeline annotation labels are centered for better readability

Bug Fixes

• Fixed annotation text clipping in exports
• Fixed text annotation rendering to better match the intended clean style
• Fixed annotation drag handles and resize behavior for more reliable editing
• Fixed preview annotation selection activation so direct editing behaves more consistently

New Features

• Redact annotation tool for obscuring sensitive information directly in the editor

Improvements

• Smoother cursor-follow panning for more natural cinematic motion
• Streamlined annotation controls for a clearer editing workflow

Bug Fixes

• Fixed annotation positioning so overlays stay aligned with the underlying content while editing and rendering
• Fixed iOS countdown recordings occasionally failing to start because of a session timing race
• Fixed partial iOS recordings reopening in the editor more reliably after an unexpected device disconnect
• Fixed camera transform track visibility when device frames are enabled

New Features

• Recording countdown timer with 3s, 5s, and 10s presets
• Start and stop cue sounds for recordings

Improvements

• Recording diagnostics log saved inside recording bundles
• iOS recording preview now sizes devices based on physical dimensions
• More reliable handling of iOS device disconnects, including finalizing partial recordings when possible
• Loaded projects better preserve source-specific media defaults such as device frames, webcam state, cursor visibility, and audio mute state

Bug Fixes

• Fixed webcam overlay rendering order in 2D device-frame mode
• Removed default editor preset behavior from the app and changelog

New Features

• Instant zoom speed preset for immediate zoom transitions

Improvements

• Faster and smoother timeline/playhead performance during editing
• Better manual zoom center picker with a clearer grid for positioning
• More stable zoom pan targeting and zoom timing behavior, especially for short zoom blocks

New Features

• Command palette, toggled with Cmd+Shift+P
• Upload videos with thumbnails to SmoothCapture Cloud

Improvements

• Preview clicks now activate the corresponding inspector tab
• Webcam size slider moved to the bottom for easier access
• Area recording buttons now adapt to current position context

New Features

• Editor presets with support for choosing a default preset
• Audio delay and per-track volume mixer controls

Improvements

• Redesigned audio tab for a simpler mixer workflow
• Camera selection now persists more reliably
• Wider sidebar for a roomier editing layout

New Features

• New Lightbox effect for highlighting parts of the frame with adjustable blur and refined visuals
• Paste timeline blocks directly at the playhead
• Cut effect blocks with Option-click for faster timeline editing
• Portrait webcam framing with drag-to-reframe controls and quick landscape/portrait toggling
• Keyboard shortcut to open the last project with Cmd+Shift+L

Improvements

• Improved recorder device toggle UX
• Better webcam aspect ratio preset visuals
• Smoother cursor motion
• Improved side-by-side cursor follow framing and panning
• Preview now refreshes correctly when the aspect ratio changes
• Timeline performance is more responsive during editing

Bug Fixes

• Fixed timeline block drag selection behavior
• Fixed timeline block overlap checks
• Fixed webcam edge gap layout in side-by-side mode
• Fixed webcam roundness in side-by-side layouts
• Improved microphone recording reliability for external microphones and startup distortion
• Reduced background internal logging

New Features

• Global shortcut for starting an area recording
• Open Last Project command for faster project access
• Settings shortcut added to the status menu

Improvements

• Refreshed settings page
• Improved device frame selection UX
• Record button now includes an icon for clearer affordance
• Camera track availability updates more consistently
• Window capture now focuses the selected window before recording starts
• Improved microphone recording reliability

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a webcam recorder crash that could happen when certain cameras reported frame rates the hardware could not actually use

New Features

• Overlay-based capture target picker for choosing what to record with less friction
• Copy and paste for multiple selected timeline items

Bug Fixes

• Fixed webcam format locking and frame duration selection for more reliable webcam capture setup

New Features

• Transparent background support for save and copy frame

Improvements

• Smarter export bitrate based on video resolution for smaller file sizes

Bug Fixes

• Fixed export file size estimation showing about 3.5x the actual size
• Fixed blurry 3D device screen content in portrait aspect ratios
• Fixed 3D device model appearing at different sizes across iPhone, iPad, and MacBook
• Fixed 3D device glass effect dimming the screen on iPhone 17 Pro Max
• Fixed iPhone USB recording showing a running timer but producing empty videos
• Fixed webcam recording producing massive file sizes
• Fixed audio track volumes not applied during export
• Fixed black preview when opening a project by double-clicking the file

New Features

• Video speed slider with support up to 10x playback
• iPhone 17 Pro Max device frame
• Grid snapping for manual zoom center positioning

Improvements

• Error message when attempting to record a simulator in landscape mode

Bug Fixes

• Fixed zoom panning behavior with device frames

New Features

• Horizontal flip option for webcam overlay

Bug Fixes

• Fixed device frame not appearing in exported video when an external clip precedes a device-framed clip in the timeline

Improvements

• Switched to our own Smooth Capture license server

New Features

• Camera format picker in webcam preview for more control over webcam resolution and frame rate

Bug Fixes

• Fixed webcam not shutting down when opening a project from the recorder
• Fixed webcam overlay shape appearing stretched on non-square aspect ratios

Improvements

• Added support for an additional payment provider for license activation

Bug Fixes

• Fixed visual lines appearing on wide keystroke keys such as Shift and Space

New Features

• Add segment clips to the timeline
• Clip insert position menu for a multi-clip timeline
• "None" background option

Improvements

• New keystroke rendering
• Improved motion smoothing

Bug Fixes

• Fixed effect blocks not following segment reorder and trim
• Fixed trim not adjusting zoom blocks
• Fixed effect remap on segment insert

Improvements

• Keycaps shadow for better visual depth
• Hide shift modifier for standard typing keys
• Wider shift and space keystroke keys for natural proportions
• Consistent gap spacing between keystroke keys
• Hide caret during typing for cleaner visuals

Bug Fixes

• Fixed manual zoom center to use proportional viewport mapping

New Features

• Cloudflare R2 and S3 cloud upload with streaming chunked uploads
• Copy shareable URL before export finishes
• Original resolution with 30fps export option
• Edge padding slider in the background tab

Improvements

• Improved export UX
• Improved smart zoom generator
• Improved cinematic pan with composition re-centering

Bug Fixes

• Fixed 3D device frame pan clamp to match 2D behavior
• Fixed export issue with 30fps
• Fixed GIF export freezing the app due to synchronous processing on the main thread

New Features

• Continuous animation mode for camera transforms with slow cinematic motion
• X-axis panning support in device frame mode
• Additional background collections in Apple, Gradient, and Zen categories
• Add solid background colors

Improvements

• Improved ripple effect with multi-ring water ripple and inner glow
• Simplified zoom config presets with a continuous slider for precise control
• Cursor size slider moved to the top of cursor settings for easier access
• Cursor size rendering clamped to prevent oversizing
• Improved subtitle editor window layout
• Improved caret zoom panning behavior
• Suppressed transient cursor teleports from causing disorienting viewport panning
• Improved zoom-out panning to smoothly return to center

Bug Fixes

• Fixed panning logic to match zoom logic

New Features

• Custom backgrounds now persist across all projects

Bug Fixes

• Fixed cursor type not rendering correctly during export
• Fixed background corner radius calculation
• Fixed Apple Squircle rounding to respect aspect ratio
• Fixed colorspace handling for custom background images

New Features

• "Animate back to original" toggle for camera transform effects

Improvements

• Smoother camera transform transitions between adjacent effects
• Simulator recording now captures webcam and microphone

New Features

• iPad Pro device frame model
• Dual playhead system for non-destructive timeline preview
• Simulator recording mode for iOS app demos
• 5x zoom level option
• Precise zoom duration sliders with manual input

Improvements

• Improved 3D device rendering and centering
• Camera size and edge gap controls for all layout modes
• Improved cursor rendering with reduced flickering
• Smoother cursor motion interpolation
• Consistent playhead styling across the timeline

Bug Fixes

• Fixed mouse clicks not recording when the cursor is stationary
• Fixed audio mute toggles not working with the multi-take system
• Fixed pan transition timing issues
• Fixed playhead resetting to its original position on pause

New Features

• Cursor visual delay slider to offset cursor timing

Improvements

• Simctl path fallback for simulator recording compatibility

Bug Fixes

• Fixed cursor timing sync by deferring capture start to the first video frame

New Features

• 3D device frame rendering support for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook
• Camera transform presets for dynamic scene layouts
• Multi-clip timeline support
• Individual keystroke key backgrounds

Improvements

• Timeline tracks auto-show and hide based on content
• Smoother track add and remove animations
• Improved default webcam configuration
• Device frame settings saved with projects
• Area recording remembers the last selection

Bug Fixes

• Fixed webcam not rendering during export
• Fixed camera transform transitions snapping unexpectedly

New Features

• Device frames for iOS devices and MacBook Pro
• Touch cursor type for mobile recordings
• Keystroke display during playback

Improvements

• Antialiased rendering for smoother visuals
• Auto-refresh recent projects when files change
• Crop state now saved with projects
• Projects named after the recorded application
• Improved perspective and device frame slider ranges

Bug Fixes

• Fixed area record mode not working
• Fixed cursor zoom sync issues
• Fixed project size display in the recent projects window
• Fixed duration mismatch when loading projects

New Features

• Recent projects added to the File menu

Improvements

• Hide keystrokes config when no keypresses are recorded

Bug Fixes

• Fixed crop preset click area not responding
• Fixed auto-generate zoom not working after recording

New Features

• Caret tracking system for improved text input visibility

Bug Fixes

• Fixed letterboxing when child windows extend capture bounds

New Features

• Export to GIF format

Improvements

• Simplified subtitle editor UI
• Optimized project loading performance
• Batch processing when opening projects
• Disabled mic meter monitoring when the microphone is disabled

Bug Fixes

• Fixed undo/redo to properly restore zoom effects and other tracks
• Fixed app crash when deleting video segments

Improvements

• Split mode can now be toggled off with the Escape key
• Default click sound volume reduced to 5%
• Updated timeline block UI with refined visuals
• Right panel controls are now disabled when not applicable
• General performance improvements

Bug Fixes

• Fixed undo/redo to properly restore zoom effects and other tracks
• Fixed app crash when deleting video segments

New Features

• Recent projects gallery with thumbnails and rename support
• 3D rendering effects
• Mouse click sound effects
• Split mode toggle with a dedicated scissors cursor for timeline splitting
• Trim cursor for clip edge adjustments

Improvements

• Subtitles can now be synced from audio overlay
• Timeline block UI refresh with refined strokes and a 1px playhead
• Hover scrub preview for quicker timeline scanning
• Timeline placeholder sizing now respects zoom level
• Timeline rendering performance improvements across audio, effects, zoom, and camera blocks
• Crop editor no longer live-updates while adjusting for smoother edits

Bug Fixes

• Improved cursor synchronization during playback
• Fixed mouse synchronization issues
• Fixed timeline performance and track mapping when trimming segments
• Fixed project state reset when loading new projects

New Features

• Save the current frame to the clipboard or a file

Improvements

• Transcribe custom audio files directly from the transcript editor

Improvements

• Lower CPU usage by optimizing the mic meter

New Features

• Custom backgrounds with an auto-scrolling background picker header
• Side-by-side camera layout with corrected spacing and consistent webcam gaps

Improvements

• System audio capture simplified to a single toggle
• Export now pauses preview playback to avoid resource contention

Bug Fixes

• Subtitles stay in sync after trims and render above other tracks
• Lens effect centers on the cursor and avoids skew with cropped video

Changes

• Smarter timeline zoom keeps clips readable and anchored while zooming
• Lens and magnify effects now appear as dedicated track blocks
• Live microphone level meter in the recorder device menu
• Camera preview reliably opens when enabling or switching webcams
• More consistent mic, webcam, and audio capture

New Features

• Transcript editor

Improvements

• Timeline improvements including pinch-to-zoom, smoother navigation, and zoom fixes

New Features

• New onboarding experience

Bug Fixes

• Fixed Intel Mac compatibility

Bug Fixes

• Fixed recording failure on Intel Macs by changing the codec from HEVC to H.264
• Fixed export hanging indefinitely on Intel Macs with an H.264 profile compatibility update
• Added a 10-second timeout for encoder stalls with a clear error message

Improvements

• Added Sentry error tracking throughout the recorder and export pipeline
• Added detailed logging for export progress debugging

New Features

• Project rename support
• Undo/redo toolbar buttons

Bug Fixes

• Fixed auto-update failing for sandboxed app installations

Improvements

• Export now requires a valid license. Users without a license are prompted to activate before exporting.

Changes

• Removed App Sandbox for direct distribution to improve file access and simplify updates
• Sparkle auto-updates now use the standard non-XPC mechanism

New Features

• New recorder UI with improved design
• Motion blur effect for cursor
• Auto-generate smart zooms
• Undo/redo support for timeline edits
• Keyboard status display
• Fluid audio model support

Improvements

• Updated subtitle rendering style
• Back-to-back zoom merging for smoother transitions
• Block selection with delete key support

Bug Fixes

• Fixed escape key behavior during recording
• Fixed region selection recording functionality

Improvements

• Improved region selection trigger timing
• Enhanced cursor stability with velocity settling threshold

Bug Fixes

• Stopped the cinematic cursor from drifting during idle periods
• Restored classic cursor mode to use raw input without smoothing

New Features

• License activation and validation system
• Keyboard shortcuts for starting and stopping recordings
• Menu bar icon and menu items
• License settings in preferences

Improvements

• Smoother consecutive zoom transitions
• Cursor automatically hides when idle
• Dark mode enabled by default
• Updated menu icon

Bug Fixes

• Fixed playback time not updating correctly
• Fixed video player loading issues
• Fixed opening .smoothcapture files from Finder

Initial release.

Smooth Capture first release.