Buzz
Learn how to quickly start using Fraps to capture your gaming sessions!
Fraps is a video-recording program used to capture video from computer games that use DirectX or OpenGL graphics technology. Fraps is available for free download with an additional paid option which removes certain limitations. The program is a popular choice for gamers who want to record their play, whether it's to create 'Let's Play' videos or simply to document their gaming achievements. With these straightforward instructions, getting started with Fraps is fast, easy, and hassle-free.
Step-by-Step Guide
Recording Gameplay Footage
Get Fraps from the Official Website. Depending on your requirements, you can opt for either the free or paid version of Fraps. The free version comes with certain limitations which are not present in the paid version. The free version of Fraps:
- Allows recording clips of up to 30 seconds in length (the paid version has no duration limit).
- Shows a Fraps watermark on all recorded footage.
- Disables loop recording.
Launch Fraps. Note that Fraps is typically installed in C://Fraps by default, not C://Program Files/Fraps. If you're unsure how to open the program, check the C:// directory.
Assign a hotkey for video recording. This hotkey is the keyboard button you'll press while playing a game to start recording video. To assign a hotkey, click on the 'Video Capture Hotkey' box, then press a key on your keyboard.
- The default recording hotkey is F9.
- Choose a hotkey that isn't used in the game.
Minimize Fraps. Fraps remains functional even when minimized.
Launch your game. You'll notice a numerical value in one corner of your game window. This is the 'frame rate overlay,' indicating your game's current frame rate.
To start recording a video, press the designated hotkey for video capture. The overlay will turn red, indicating that video recording is in progress. Press the hotkey again to stop recording.
- Keep in mind that the free version of Fraps only allows recording in 30-second intervals.
Showing Frame Rate Details
Launch Fraps. Navigate to the 'FPS' tab at the top of the Fraps window (look for a yellow '99' icon.) Here, you'll find settings for Fraps' benchmarking and frame rate overlay features.
- Frame rate indicates how quickly a game runs, usually measured in frames per second (FPS.) Games create motion by displaying a series of still images called frames. The more frames shown per second, the smoother the motion appears.
- Frame rate overlay displays the current frame rate in one corner of the screen. Graphically demanding parts of a game may result in a lower frame rate, which the overlay will indicate along with any fluctuations.
- Benchmarking calculates a game's average frame rate over a set period of time.
Assign hotkeys for the benchmarking and frame rate overlay features. Simply click in the boxes labeled 'Benchmarking Hotkey' and 'Overlay Hotkey,' then press a key on your keyboard to toggle these functions on and off while playing.
- By default, the benchmarking and overlay hotkeys are F11 and F12, respectively.
- Choose hotkeys that won't interfere with gameplay.
Customize additional settings for benchmarking and overlay features. Depending on your preferences, you can enable or disable specific options on this page. You can adjust the benchmarking duration, select additional metrics to measure, and choose where on the screen the overlay will appear.
- For the frame rate overlay, pick a screen corner that won't obstruct your view or cover important gameplay information.
Minimize Fraps and start your game. When you want to activate a benchmark or frame rate overlay, simply press the hotkey you've set. The benchmark or overlay will then appear in-game.
Capturing Screenshots
Launch Fraps. Click on the 'Screenshots' tab at the top of the Fraps window. Here, you'll find settings for adjusting your screen capture preferences.
- A screenshot, also known as a screen capture, is a static image of your in-game activity.
- In the free version of Fraps, screenshots are saved as .BMP files. The paid version supports saving in .BMP, .JPG, .PNG, and .TGA formats.
Assign a hotkey for taking screenshots. Simply click on the 'Screen Capture Hotkey' box, then press a key on your keyboard that you'd like to use for capturing screenshots during gameplay.
- By default, the screenshot hotkey is set to F10.
- Avoid selecting a hotkey that you frequently use while playing.
Customize your screenshot settings. In the screenshot tab, you'll find various options for tailoring Fraps' screenshot functionality. You can:
- Adjust the output format of your images (available in the paid version).
- Decide whether to include the frame rate overlay in your screenshots.
- Set a timer for automatically capturing multiple screenshots.
Minimize Fraps and launch your game. Fraps will continue to operate in the background while you play.
To capture a screenshot of your game, press the designated hotkey for screen captures. The frame rate overlay will momentarily turn white (and may experience lag). This indicates that you have successfully taken an image of your gameplay.
Helpful Tips
- If you wish to locate the current location where your clips/screenshots are saved, navigate to either the Movies or Screenshots tab. Next to 'Folder to save movies/screenshots,' click the 'View' button.
- If you're using the paid version, consider utilizing a timer to monitor the duration of your recordings, especially if you plan to upload videos to a platform with time restrictions.
- Regularly check the main website for updates, typically new program versions.
Important Warnings
- The free version of Fraps (downloaded from the Download tab on the main website) only records clips up to 30 seconds in length.
- Fraps generally functions with full-screen games but may occasionally work with Java games (e.g., Minecraft). Experiment! If successful, you'll notice a frame rate overlay in the corner.
Essential Materials
- Fraps http://www.fraps.com/
