Fraps is a video recording program used to record video from computer games that use DirectX or OpenGL graphics technologies. Fraps can be downloaded for free with an additional paid option that removes certain limitations. This program is a popular choice for players who want to record their play, whether to make "Let's Play" videos or simply to record their playing achievements. With these simple instructions, getting started with Fraps is quick, easy and uncomplicated.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recording Videos from Games
Step 1. Download Fraps from Fraps site
You can choose the free or paid version of Fraps, depending on your needs. The free version has some limitations that don't apply to the paid version. Fraps free version:
- Can only record a clip of up to 30 seconds (the paid version has no limit on the length of the clip.)
- Displays the Fraps watermark at the top of all records.
- Loop recording (repeat) is disabled.
Step 2. Open Fraps. Note that, unlike many other programs, Fraps' default installation location is C://Fraps, not C://Program Files/Fraps. If you're not sure how to open this program, take a look at the C:// directory.
Step 3. Set a "hotkey" to record video
Hotkeys are keyboard keys that you will press when you play to start recording videos. To assign a hotkey, click the box labeled "Video Capture Hotkey," then press a key on your keyboard.
- By default, the hotkey for recording is F9.
- Choose a hotkey that you don't use in the game.
Step 4. Shrink the Fraps window
Fraps can run even if it is reduced.
Step 5. Open your game
You will see a numeric value in the corner of your game window. This is the "overlay frame rate" - which is the current frame rate of your game.
Step 6. If you want to capture a video, press the hotkey you have set to capture the video
The overlay will turn red. This indicates that you are recording a video. To stop recording, press the hotkey again.
Keep in mind that the free version of Fraps can only record 30 seconds
Method 2 of 3: Displaying Frame Rate Information
Step 1. Open Fraps
Select the "FPS" tab at the top of the Fraps window (look for the yellow "99".) Here, you'll see options for the benchmarking function and frame rate overlay of your Fraps.
- Frame rate is a measure of the "speed" at which the game is running. Frame rate is usually measured in frames per second (FPS-frames per second). Movement in computer games is actually an illusion created by moving a series of fast-paced still images called frames. The more images displayed per second, the smoother and clearer the movement will appear in the game.
- Frame rate overlay is a feature that displays the current game frame rate in one corner of the screen. Graphically intense portions of games can result in low frame rates - overlays will display these and other fluctuations in a game's frame rate.
- Benchmarking is a process when the average frame rate of a game is calculated over a certain period of time.
Step 2. Set hotkeys for benchmarking function and frame rate overlay
To do so, click the boxes labeled "Benchmarking Hotkey" and "Overlay Hotkey," then press a key on the keyboard you want to use to enable the benchmarking and overlay functions and disable them when you play the game.
- By default, the benchmarking and overlay hotkeys are F11 and F12, respectively.
- Choose a hotkey that is not the one you use in the game.
Step 3. Configure additional options for your benchmarking and overlay functions
Depending on your preferences, you can choose to enable or disable certain options on this page. You can choose the length of time for your benchmarking, choose additional metrics to measure your benchmarking, and choose the angle of the screen you want the overlay to appear.
For your frame rate overlay, choose a screen angle that doesn't block your view or hide important information while you're playing
Step 4. Shrink Fraps and start your game
If you want to create a benchmark or frame rate overlay, press the hotkey you have defined. Those benchmarks/overlays will appear in the game.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Screenshots
Step 1. Open Fraps
Select the "Screenshots" tab at the top of the window. Here, you will be given the option to customize your screen capture settings.
- A screenshot (or screen capture) is a still image of your gameplay.
- The free version of Fraps can only save screenshots in. BMP format. The paid version can save in. BMP,.jpg,.png, and. TGA formats.
Step 2. Assign a hotkey for your screenshot
Click the box that says "Screen Capture Hotkey," then press a key on the keyboard that you want to use to take an in-game screenshot.
- By default, the screenshot hotkey is F10.
- Do not select the hotkeys that you will use when playing the game.
Step 3. Configure your screenshot options
The screenshot tab has several options for customizing the screenshot features in Fraps. You can:
- Change the output format of your images (in the paid version of Fraps.)
- Choose whether you want to include a "framerate overlay" in the screenshot or not.
- Set a repeat timer to take multiple screenshots.
Step 4. Shrink Fraps and open your game
Fraps will continue to run in the background.
Step 5. When you want to take a screenshot of your game, press the hotkey you have set to capture the screen
The frame rate overlay will turn white for a moment (and possibly, be slow). This signifies that you have captured an image of your gameplay.
Tips
- If you want to see where the clip/screenshot is currently stored, go to the Movies or Screenshots tab. To the right of 'Folder to save movies/screenshots' in', to the right of 'Change', click the "View" button.
- If you're on the paid version, consider using a timer to monitor the length of your recording, especially if you're uploading a video and you're uploading to a site that has a time limit.
- Check the program's main website frequently for updates (usually a new version of the program).
- You may need to change your hotkey. To do so, click on the tab you want to change (usually Movies or Screenshots), highlight Video/Screen Capture Hotkey blank, and press the hotkey you want. After that, your new hotkey will be saved automatically.
- The numbers in the corners of the screen are called benchmarks. By default, they monitor your FPS (frame rate, usually performance). To change the benchmark position, just press the benchmark button on the FPS tab while you are still playing the game.
- To change the location where screenshots and clips are saved, go to the Movies or Screenshots tab. Then, to the right of 'Folder to save movies/screenshots in,' there is a button that says Change. Click that button to change the save location.
Warning
- The free Fraps (which is downloaded in the Downloads tab of the main site, not by purchase) only records for 30 seconds per clip.
- Fraps generally only runs on games played in full screen, but occasionally runs on Java games (eg Minecraft). Experiment! If successful, you'll see text with "frame rate" in the corner.
