FrameTrellis v1.2.2: Faster H.264 Exports, Smarter Resolution Controls, and Improved Rendering Feedback

FrameTrellis v1.2.2 is now available as a stable release.

FrameTrellis is a free, open-source, local-first desktop video editor built with C++20, Qt 6/QML, MLT, and FFmpeg.

Earlier releases focused on core timeline workflows, title overlays, multi-clip editing, and stronger startup and packaging verification.

This release turns attention to another important part of video editing: the export experience.

Why focus on exports?

An editing workflow doesn't end when the timeline is finished.

Creators often need different kinds of output. Sometimes they want a full-resolution export. Other times, they need a smaller preview to review timing, transitions, and audio before producing a final version.

The objective of v1.2.2 is to make those choices easier while strengthening the checks around the generated MP4.

1. Quick H.264 export profiles

This release adds convenient export profiles for different situations.

Quick — Project Resolution

Exports at the project's resolution using the H.264 veryfast encoder preset with CRF 22.

Quick — Up to 1080p

Provides a speed-focused export capped at 1080p without automatically enlarging smaller projects.

Turbo — Up to 720p

Uses the H.264 superfast preset for rapid preview exports.

These are workflow presets, not promises of fixed export times. Performance depends on the project, effects, source media, hardware, and encoding settings.

2. Better control over upscaling

Unnecessary upscaling can increase the amount of encoding work without introducing new source detail.

FrameTrellis v1.2.2 adds an optional no-upscale checkbox to Export settings.

For developers using the separate render helper, the same policy is available through the --no-upscale command-line flag.

The existing fast draft preset has also been adjusted to avoid automatically magnifying smaller projects.

These changes help make the selected export resolution more predictable.

3. Live rendering performance information

The export interface now displays average rendering frames per second alongside progress and estimated remaining time.

This provides another useful signal when reviewing export performance.

Instead of looking only at the percentage completed, users can also see how quickly the renderer is processing frames.

4. Stronger output verification

Export correctness matters as much as speed.

Version 1.2.2 expands automated regression testing around:

• Export preset policies.
• Output dimensions and scaling decisions.
• Retention of AAC audio.
• Propagation of options to the helper process.

The release also strengthens dimension validation, rejecting invalid scaling requests before arithmetic is performed.

After rendering, FrameTrellis probes the completed MP4's dimensions before replacing any existing output file.

This reduces the risk of an unexpected output replacing a previously generated video.

5. Technical limitations worth understanding

FrameTrellis currently exports MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio.

MLT parallel frame rendering remains disabled because of previously identified AAC corruption issues. Normal encoder threading remains in use.

The new export profiles do not implement stream-copy joining or guarantee GPU acceleration.

FrameTrellis is still an evolving desktop editor, and advanced capabilities including keyframes, proxy media, native editable title layers, and broader export format support remain future development work.

6. Compatibility and downloads

The existing .ftproj project format is unchanged.

Windows: The release provides an installer and a portable ZIP for Windows 10 version 1809 or later and Windows 11 on x64 hardware.

Linux: Users can build the application from source.

macOS: Official packages are not available yet.

Windows binaries are unsigned, so users should verify their SHA-256 checksums against those published with the release.

7. Built for local-first editing

FrameTrellis processes media locally without requiring an account or cloud-based editing service.

Its current technology stack includes:

• C++20
• Qt 6 and QML
• MLT
• FFmpeg
• CMake

The project is open source under GPL-3.0-or-later.

Download FrameTrellis v1.2.2

Stable release:
https://github.com/sanskarIN/frametrellis/releases/tag/v1.2.2

Source code:
https://github.com/sanskarIN/frametrellis

Project website:
https://sanskarin.github.io/frametrellis/

What's next?

My goal is to keep improving FrameTrellis through practical features, automated testing, transparent documentation, and feedback from real users.

If you try v1.2.2, I'd especially appreciate feedback about the new export presets, resolution behavior, and progress information.

And if you're interested in building native desktop applications or multimedia software, contributions and technical discussions are welcome.

What should FrameTrellis prioritize next: proxy editing, subtitles, keyframe animation, or additional export formats?

Thanks for following the development of FrameTrellis!

— Sanskar