How to Create Simple Time-Lapse Videos on Windows PCs

Hello, PCWorld readers! I’ve been captivated by time-lapse videos ever since I experienced the mesmerizing effect of watching a bean sprout grow in my second-grade class.

The idea of compressing days of development into a brief one-minute video felt like pure enchantment. It also revealed something remarkable about plants: they aren’t just static objects—they move, albeit at a slower pace than us!

These days, creating a time-lapse video has never been easier. You don’t need a professional studio or expensive equipment; your smartphone and a free app on Windows will do just fine.

If you’re passionate about a hobby that would lend itself beautifully to time-lapse, the possibilities are endless. Here are some inspiration ideas:

• A flower blooming
• An artist at work
• Traffic patterns on a busy street
• Your hair growing out after a fresh cut

Pro Tip: For great results, slow-moving subjects like snails or drifting clouds work wonderfully, though they do require a bit longer to film.

Steps to Create Your Time-Lapse Video:

A straightforward way to make a time-lapse video is by using an app called Time Lapse Creator. This app allows you to either upload images or videos, or capture them directly through the app.

For this tutorial, I’ll assume you’ve already taken the photos, uploaded them to your computer, and organized them in a folder. Here’s what to do next:

• Download and install the free app, Time Lapse Creator.
• Select either “Import Folder” or “Import Files” to choose the images you want to use and arrange them in your desired order (by date or ascending/descending).
• Set the frame rate (fps), video quality, and bitrate. For reference, using 240 images at 24fps will yield a professional-quality 10-second video. For 25fps, use 250 images; for 30fps, 300 images.
• Hit the preview button to view your video and make any adjustments until you’re satisfied.
• When you’re happy with it, save your creation as an MP4 file.

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