Frequently Asked Questions

DeltaSketch is a real-time visual processing application for Windows that lets you create stop-motion animations, time-lapse videos, GIFs, and apply GPU-accelerated visual effects. It captures frames from any camera, webcam, or video file, processes them through configurable effect pipelines, and exports the results as image sequences or video files.

DeltaSketch offers a 14-day free trial with all features unlocked. After the trial, a one-time license purchase is required to continue using the software. There are no recurring subscriptions.

No. DeltaSketch is currently available for Windows 10 and Windows 11 only (64-bit). macOS and Linux are not supported at this time.

Minimum: Windows 10 64-bit, quad-core CPU (Intel Core i3 / AMD Ryzen 3), 4 GB RAM, GPU with OpenGL 3.3 support, 512 MB VRAM, 500 MB storage.

Recommended: Windows 10/11 64-bit, 6-core CPU (Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5), 8 GB RAM, GPU with OpenGL 4.3 support, 2 GB VRAM, 1 GB storage.

You can create:

• Stop-motion animations — frame-by-frame capture from any camera with live preview
• Time-lapse videos — automatic interval-based capture with FFmpeg export
• GIFs — animated GIFs from camera feeds or video files
• Real-time VFX — kaleidoscope, oil painting, warp, infinity mirror, and custom GLSL compute shaders
• Digital art — tracing and reproducing real-world subjects through camera overlay

Stop-motion in DeltaSketch works by capturing individual frames from a live camera feed. You position your subject, click Capture Frame, move the subject slightly, and repeat. The app assembles these frames into a sequence that plays back as fluid animation. The classic frame rate is 12 frames per second.

A time-lapse compresses hours or days of real-world motion into seconds of video. In DeltaSketch, you set a capture interval (e.g., 1 frame every 10 seconds), and the app automatically captures frames at that interval. You then export the sequence as a video file at 24 or 30 fps.

DeltaSketch includes a real-time effects engine that runs on your graphics card. Built-in effects include BCS (brightness/contrast/saturation), Kaleidoscope, Oil Painting, Warp, Infinity Mirror, and Custom Shader (GLSL compute shaders with live reload). GPU acceleration ensures smooth real-time preview even with complex effect chains.

OpenGL is a graphics API that DeltaSketch uses to communicate with your GPU. OpenGL 3.3 is the minimum requirement for basic effects. OpenGL 4.3 is required for advanced features like custom GLSL compute shaders and the Infinity Mirror effect. You can check your system's OpenGL support using the Check My Hardware tool on the Download page.

Yes. DeltaSketch's tracing feature lets you overlay a reference image or live camera feed onto your workspace. You can adjust opacity, zoom, and pan the reference while drawing on a separate surface. This is useful for reproducing photographs, tracing real-world subjects, or creating digital art from physical references.

DeltaSketch exports:

• Image sequences — PNG format for external editing
• Video files — AVI and WEBM via FFmpeg
• GIFs — animated GIF format for web sharing

Frame numbering can be sequential (1, 2, 3…) or timestamp-based.

Yes. DeltaSketch supports GLSL compute shaders (version 430) with live reload. You write a .glsl file, load it via the Custom Shader effect, and edit it in real-time. The shader reloads automatically when you save changes. This enables advanced users to create custom visual effects beyond the built-in library.

After purchase, you receive a license key via email. In DeltaSketch, go to Help → Activate License and enter your key. The app contacts the DeltaSketch server to validate the license and binds it to your machine using an anonymized hardware identifier. You can deactivate on one machine to activate on another.

Refunds are available for:

• Accidental purchases — within 7 days of payment
• Technical issues — if the software cannot run on your system and our support cannot resolve it
• Duplicate or fraudulent charges

Change of mind after activation or use is not eligible. See the Refund Policy page for full details.

DeltaSketch respects your privacy:

• No usage data is collected from the software
• No captured images or project content is ever transmitted
• License activation transmits only a hashed hardware identifier and license key — no personal information
• Contact form submissions are sent via email (Resend) and not stored in a database
• Payments are processed by Paddle (Merchant of Record)

You can reach the DeltaSketch team via the Contact page on this website. Select a topic (bug, support, suggestion, etc.) and send your message. For license-related issues, include your order ID and the email address used at purchase.

Yes. The DeltaSketch license allows commercial use. You can create client work, YouTube videos, short films, or any other commercial project. The license covers up to 2 devices and includes all updates for the current major version.

DeltaSketch combines stop-motion, time-lapse, GIF creation, and real-time VFX in one application. Unlike specialized stop-motion tools, DeltaSketch includes a full GPU-accelerated effects pipeline with custom GLSL shader support. It's designed for artists who want to experiment beyond traditional frame-by-frame animation.

DeltaSketch works with any camera that your operating system recognizes as a webcam or video capture device. This includes USB webcams, DSLRs with capture card, smartphones (via IP webcam apps), and built-in laptop cameras. If your camera works with other webcam software, it will work with DeltaSketch.

Yes. DeltaSketch supports multiple simultaneous inputs. You can add several cameras, images, or videos as inputs and route them to different output windows or pipelines. This enables multi-angle stop-motion or compositing workflows.