# Aether Renderer Core
[](https://crates.io/crates/aether-renderer-core)
[](https://crates.io/crates/aether-renderer-core)
[](https://crates.io/crates/aether-renderer-core)
**Aether Renderer Core** is a lightweight, Rust-based and a sacred CLI tool to render transparent `.webm`, `.mp4`, and `.gif` from image sequences with alpha channel support, loop softening, and ffmpeg power.
Built with love for artists, developers, and sacred animation workflows.
---
## ✨ Features
- ✅ Supports alpha channel export (via `yuva420p`)
- ✅ Input PNG/WebP sequences with alpha from folder or .zip file
- ✅ Export `.webm` with alpha (via `libvpx`)
- ✅ Export `.gif` with alpha
- ✅ `.mp4` fallback (no alpha)
- ✅ CLI flags for FPS, input folder, output path, format
- ✅ Optional `--fade-in` and `--fade-out` for smooth loops
- ✅ Optional `--bitrate` and `--crf` for quality control
- ✅ Optional `--preview` to open the video after export
- ✅ Handle errors & missing frames gracefully
---
## 🧪 Usage
```bash
cargo run --release -- \
--input ./frames \
--output my.webm \
--fps 30 \
--format webm \
--fade-in 1 \
--fade-out 1 \
--bitrate 2M \
--crf 23 \
--preview
```
The `--fade-in` and `--fade-out` flags apply ffmpeg's [`fade`](https://ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg-filters.html#fade) filter under the hood. The start of the fade out is automatically calculated from the frame count and FPS.
📂 Your input folder should contain files like:
```
frame_0000.png
frame_0001.png
frame_0002.png
...
```
---
You can now also pass a .zip file containing frames:
```bash
cargo run -- --input ./my-frames.zip --output my.webm --fps 30 --format webm
```
📂 Your input folder or ZIP file must contain images named like:
```
frame_0000.png
frame_0001.png
frame_0002.png
...
```
Alpha-enabled PNGs are recommended for transparent .webm.
---
Convert to gif file with transparent background:
```bash
cargo run -- --input ./my-frames.zip --output my.gif --fps 30 --format gif
```
(Just make sure ffmpeg is installed)
---
## 📦 Download prebuilt binaries
prebuilds for linux, mac & windows can be found under releases in github repository.
🛠️ Download prebuilt binaries from the [Releases](https://github.com/madspaaskesen/aether-renderer-core/releases) page.
---
## 🧰 Requirements
- Rust & Cargo installed: https://rustup.rs
- `ffmpeg` must be installed and accessible in your system path
---
## 🧪 Tests
This project contains both unit tests and integration tests. The unit tests live
next to the code they verify (for example in
`src/utils/unzip_frames.rs`) while the integration tests reside in
`tests/integration.rs`.
Run all tests using Cargo:
```bash
cargo test
```
The integration suite relies on `ffmpeg` being available on your system. If
`ffmpeg` is missing, the rendering test is skipped but all other tests still
run.
---
## 📦 Example ZIP
You can test the renderer using the provided frame sequence:
[sacred-stars.zip](https://ojkwbrxgljlgelqndiai.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sacred-ai/web/aether-renderer/sacred-stars.zip)
Run it like this:
```bash
cargo run -- --input examples/sacred-stars.zip --output demo.webm --fps 30 --format webm
```
This will generate a loopable .webm video with alpha.
---
## ✨ Example Output
See full demo here (just started):
[Webpage demo](https://sacred-ai.com/about/aetherrenderer)
Here’s one frame from the sacred animation:
---
## ✨ Example Animation
▶️ [Watch output video](https://ojkwbrxgljlgelqndiai.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/sacred-ai/web/aether-renderer/sacred-stars-preview.webm)
---
## 🔮 Roadmap
- [x] Render `.png` → `.webm` (with alpha)
- [x] Support `.mp4` export
- [x] Add bitrate / CRF quality control
- [x] `--fade-in`, `--fade-out` for soft loops
- [x] Handle errors & missing frames gracefully
- [x] Add optional CLI preview
- [ ] Begin GUI version with Tauri (`aether-renderer`) 🌟
---
## 🌿 License
MIT — created with sacred care by [@madspaaskesen](https://github.com/madspaaskesen)
---
## 🌐 Related Projects
- 🕊️ [Sacred-AI](https://sacred-ai.com)
- 📈 [MySiteChart](https://mysitechart.com)
- 🛠️ [MP-IT](https://mp-it.dk)
- 🧵 [DDD Favoritter](https://ddd-favoritter.dk)
---
## 💛 Made with love by Sacred-AI
🙏 Made with clarity and care by [@mads](https://github.com/madspaaskesen) @ [@sacred-ai](https://github.com/Sacred-AI) 💛
🌸 Powered by [Rust Lang](https://www.rust-lang.org/), [Rust getting started](https://www.rust-lang.org/learn/get-started)
Aether Renderer Core is the sacred heart of a lightweight animation rendering toolkit.
Converts frame sequences to video with love, transparency, and full creative control.