FFRend
FFRend (Freeframe Renderer) is a renderer for Freeframe plugins. It allows you to chain any number of plugins together, automate their parameters using oscillators, and record the output to an AVI file. The input is a video (AVI/MPG), still image (BMP/JPG/GIF), or source plugin.
Most VJ softwares support Freeframe, and can record their output, so what makes FFRend different? FFRend is optimized for content generation, whereas VJ softwares are typically optimized for live performance. The key difference is that FFRend never drops frames, even when your project is too CPU-intensive to be rendered in real time.
It's also possible to perform with FFRend, though you may have to lower the resolution, simplify your plugin chain, or use a more powerful PC, in order to get an acceptable frame rate. All parameters and oscillator settings can be controlled via MIDI.
FFRend supports plugin authoring, which means you can export a FFRend project as a Freeframe plugin. The exported plugin is called a metaplugin, because it uses other plugins as components. A metaplugin can be used in any Freeframe-compatible host application, and behaves as if you were running the equivalent project in FFRend.
FFRend is free, open-source software for Windows 2000/XP. It includes comprehensive help, an installer, and a simple demo project. If you want to render complex effects at high resolution, using chains of automated Freeframe plugins, FFRend is your friend.
Jan 17, 2008
FFRend 1.7 adds metaparameter groups. It's available for download; see the release notes.
Dec 17, 2007
FFRend 1.6 adds MPEG support via AviSynth, clip thumbnails in the file browser, and the ability to monitor the output of any plugin.
Nov 11, 2007
FFRend 1.5 adds a job queue for batch processing, and a global plugin that can be applied to all your projects.
Mar 3, 2007
FFRend 1.4 adds metaplugins, a plugin authoring capability.
Feb 12, 2007
FFRend finally has a demo movie, thanks to another fine evening of collaboration with Jeff Mission; the music is "Hate Me Not" by Boston's own Scorchio.
Feb 1, 2007
FFRend 1.3.08 fixes some issues with the dual-monitor support, and makes MIDI Setup a control bar instead of a modal dialog.
Jan 17, 2007
FFRend 1.3 supports multi-input plugins! And there was much rejoicing. This version also adds new sizable control bars, including a patch bay, a file browser, and an output monitor.
Dec 28, 2006
BoolMix is a boolean mixer effect plugin. It blends two input frames together using a boolean operation. It's now available for download; you can read about it here.
Dec 8, 2006
WaveGen is a wave generator effect plugin. It's useful for making all sorts of periodically repeating shapes. I'm using it to create animated keying masks, as in the images below. It's now available for download; you can read about it here.
Dec 4, 2006
PlayerFF is a clip player source plugin that reads AVI files or still images. It's now available for download; you can read about it here.
Nov 30, 2006
Version 1.2 is available for download. It adds unlimited undo, and also fixes some minor problems; see the release notes.
Nov 15, 2006
Version 1.1 is available for download. It adds MIDI support, and also fixes some minor problems; see the release notes.
Oct 30, 2006
Version 1.0.04 is available for download. It contains some important bug fixes; see the release notes.
Oct 26, 2006
FFRend 1.0 is available for download.
Sep 20, 2006
Beta release is still at least a few weeks away.