firefrost-operations-manual/docs/guides/replay-mod-timelapse-guide.md

Firefrost Castle World Spawn - Schematicannon Timelapse Recording Guide

Build Specs:

• Size: 150x150 base, 200 blocks tall
• Total blocks: ~220,000
• Style: Symmetrical castle (identical from N/S/E/W)
• Purpose: Website hero video, social media content, community showcase

Theme: Fire + Frost aesthetic - "For children not yet born" 💙🔥❄️

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Quick Navigation

• PHASE 1: Pre-Recording Test - 15-20 minutes
• PHASE 2: Preparation - 10-15 minutes
• PHASE 3: Recording - 1-4 hours
• PHASE 4: Replay Editing & Camera Setup - 30-45 minutes
• PHASE 5: Rendering - 2-12 hours
• PHASE 6: Post-Production - 30-60 minutes
• Troubleshooting & Checklists

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PHASE 1: PRE-RECORDING TEST (MANDATORY - DO NOT SKIP)

Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes

Why: A multi-hour recording of 220k blocks gives you ONE chance. Test first or risk losing everything.

Test Recording Procedure (15-20 minutes)

1. Find a test schematic (any small build, 20x20 house, anything).

2. Set up test Schematicannon:

   • Load test schematic.
   • Add blocks and fuel (gunpowder).
   • Position your character where you can see the cannon work.

3. Start Replay Mod recording:

   • Press Esc to open the Minecraft pause menu.
   • Click the Start Recording button (usually located in the top left or bottom right corner of the pause screen).
   • Verify a red "Recording" indicator appears in the top left of your game screen.

4. Run the Schematicannon for 5-10 minutes:

   • Let it place blocks.
   • Walk around, change camera angles using your standard movement keys.
   • Test chunk loading (move away and back).

5. Stop recording:

   • Press Esc to open the pause menu again.
   • Click the Stop Recording button.

6. CRITICAL: Verify the recording works:

   • Disconnect from the server or exit the single-player world.
   • On the main Minecraft menu, click the Replay Viewer button.
   • Double-click your test recording to load it.
   • Scrub the timeline (click and drag the yellow cursor at the top of the screen).
   • Does it play smoothly? Can you see Schematicannon blocks appearing? Do your camera controls work? Are there any crashes or errors?

7. Check recording file size:

   • Find where replay files save (usually .minecraft/replay_recordings/).
   • Note file size (10 min test = ~500MB-2GB).
   • Extrapolate for full build time (a 2-hour build will be massive).
   • Verify you have enough disk space (need 20-50GB+ free on your hard drive).

Test Results Checklist

• Recording started successfully
• Recording playback works in viewer
• Schematicannon blocks visible in replay
• No lag or crashes during recording
• Sufficient disk space available
• Laptop remained stable (no overheating warnings)

IF ANY TEST FAILS: Troubleshoot before attempting castle recording. You only get one shot.

IF ALL TESTS PASS: Proceed to Phase 2.

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PHASE 2: PREPARATION (Do this BEFORE starting castle recording)

Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes

System Prep

1. Close ALL unnecessary programs:

   • Web browsers
   • Discord
   • Spotify/music players
   • Background apps
   • Only run Minecraft

2. Power management:

   • Plug laptop into AC power (do NOT run on battery)
   • Disable sleep/hibernation settings
   • Place laptop on hard surface or cooling pad
   • Ensure good airflow

3. Disk space final check:

   • Minimum 50GB free recommended
   • Clear space if needed

Minecraft Settings

1. Render distance: 20 chunks minimum

   • Ensures entire 150x150 build stays loaded
   • Higher is better if your laptop can handle it

2. Graphics settings:

   • Set to what you want in final video
   • Shaders? (test performance first)
   • Smooth lighting ON
   • Particles ON (you'll see Schematicannon effects)

3. Schematicannon speed adjustment:

   • NOTE: Adjust Schematicannon speed in-game menu before starting
   • Faster = shorter recording time = less risk
   • Recommended: Speed up significantly to reduce hours to 30-60 minutes

Build Site Prep

1. Position the schematic:

   • Schematicannon placed and loaded with castle schematic
   • ALL blocks loaded and ready
   • Fuel loaded (gunpowder or other)
   • Do NOT start it yet

2. Clear the area:

   • Remove any temporary blocks, scaffolding
   • Clean up the build site
   • Set time of day (noon for best lighting, or dramatic sunset/sunrise)
   • Set weather (clear skies unless you want atmosphere)

3. Set spawn point:

   • Set your respawn near the build site
   • In case of crashes, you respawn nearby

4. Mark camera positions (optional but recommended):

   • Place temporary markers where you want camera angles
   • 4 positions: Ground orbit, mid-height, top-down, distant wide
   • You'll reference these during replay editing

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PHASE 3: RECORDING (The One-Shot Moment)

Estimated Time: 1-4 Hours (Depending on Schematicannon Speed)

Starting the Recording

1. Position yourself at starting camera angle:

   • Suggestion: Ground level, 50 blocks back from build site
   • Facing the empty plot where castle will appear

2. Double-check everything:

   • Schematicannon loaded and fueled
   • Render distance set to 20+
   • All other programs closed
   • Plugged into AC power
   • Replay Mod ready

3. START REPLAY RECORDING:

   • Press Esc to open pause menu
   • Click Start Recording button
   • Verify red "Recording" indicator appears in top left of screen
   • WAIT 10 SECONDS before starting Schematicannon (gives clean buffer in timeline)

4. Start the Schematicannon:

   • Activate it
   • Step back and let it work

During Recording (Multi-Hour Session)

DO:

• Let the laptop run undisturbed
• Check periodically that recording is still active
• Monitor laptop temperature (if too hot, add cooling)
• Stay nearby in case of issues

DO NOT:

• Alt-tab excessively
• Open other programs
• Pause/unpause unless absolutely necessary
• Touch the Schematicannon or build site
• Log out or change dimensions

Camera Movement During Recording (Optional):

• You CAN move around during recording
• Walk to different angles to capture build from multiple perspectives
• Smooth, slow movements (you can speed up in editing)
• Orbit the build as it rises
• Fly up to match the height as castle grows

If Something Goes Wrong:

• Minecraft crash: Restart, reload world, recording is lost (this is why we tested)
• Recording indicator disappears: Stop and investigate immediately
• Laptop overheating warning: Add cooling, reduce render distance

Finishing the Recording

1. Wait for Schematicannon to FULLY complete

   • Last block placed
   • Schematicannon stops moving

2. Record 30 seconds of final completed build

   • Slow pan around finished castle
   • Gives you buffer for editing

3. STOP RECORDING:

   • Press Esc to open pause menu
   • Click Stop Recording button

4. IMMEDIATELY verify the recording saved:

   • Check replay file exists in .minecraft/replay_recordings/ folder
   • Note file size (should be large, 10-50GB+)
   • DO NOT delete or overwrite until you've confirmed it works and is backed up

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PHASE 4: REPLAY EDITING (Turning Raw Recording into Timelapse)

Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes

Opening the Replay

1. Launch Replay Mod viewer

   • From the Minecraft Main Menu, click Replay Viewer
   • Load your castle recording
   • Let it load completely (large file = takes time)

2. Initial playback test:

   • Scrub through timeline
   • Verify entire build is captured
   • Check for any glitches or missing chunks

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💡 Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet

Common Terms:

• Scrubbing: Clicking and dragging the vertical cursor line on a timeline to fast-forward or rewind through time
• Keyframe: A saved "checkpoint" that locks in a specific camera angle or a specific moment in time
• Interpolation: How smoothly the camera moves between two keyframes (Cubic = smooth, Linear = robotic)

Camera Controls in Replay Viewer:

• WASD Keys: Move your camera forward, left, backward, and right
• Shift: Move camera down
• Spacebar: Move camera up
• Mouse: Look around
• F3: Show debug screen (includes Y-coordinate for height)

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Camera Path Strategy for Firefrost Castle

The castle is symmetrical (N/S/E/W identical), so focus on:

• Height progression (rising camera)
• Scale and grandeur (wide shots)
• Fire + Frost aesthetic (color/lighting)

Step 1: Understanding the Replay Mod Interface (CRITICAL FOR BEGINNERS)

When you load your recording in Replay Viewer, press Esc to free your mouse cursor so you can click the menus. You will see TWO timelines on your screen. Understanding the difference between them is the ONLY way to make a timelapse work.

1. The Top Timeline (Yellow/Red Cursor): This is the Raw Recording Time. If you sat recording for 60 minutes while the cannon ran, this timeline is 60 minutes long. This represents what actually happened.

2. The Bottom Timeline (Green Cursor): This is your Final Video Time. This is the 2-minute timelapse video you are actively creating to export. This represents your final compressed timelapse.

3. Playback Controls: Play/pause buttons for your final video preview.

4. Speed Controls: Buttons to change how fast time moves (1x, 2x, 4x, etc.).

5. Keyframe Buttons: Icons that look like a map pin (Position Keyframe) and a stopwatch (Time Keyframe).

THE GOLDEN RULE OF TIMELAPSES: You must ALWAYS tell the mod where to look (Position Keyframe) AND what time it is in the building process (Time Keyframe).

If you set a camera position but forget the Time keyframe, the camera will fly around a frozen, half-built castle because you didn't tell time to move forward!

Step 2: Finding Key Moments in Your Recording

Before setting camera paths, identify important moments on the TOP TIMELINE (raw recording):

1. Scrub through the entire recording (drag the yellow cursor on the TOP timeline)

2. Note these timestamps ON PAPER:

   • When Schematicannon starts (e.g., Top Timeline 0:15)
   • When walls start going up (e.g., Top Timeline 15:00)
   • When towers start appearing (e.g., Top Timeline 30:00)
   • When roof begins (e.g., Top Timeline 45:00)
   • When build is 100% complete (e.g., Top Timeline 60:00)

Example timestamps to write down:

• Foundation complete: Top Timeline 5:30
• Walls half-up: Top Timeline 15:00
• Towers starting: Top Timeline 30:00
• Roof going on: Top Timeline 45:00
• Build complete: Top Timeline 60:00

Setting Up Camera Paths in Replay Mod (Complete Beginner Guide)

What are camera paths? Instead of just watching the replay from one angle, you'll create smooth camera movements that fly around the build, showing it from multiple perspectives. Think of it like directing a movie.

Step 1: Understanding the Replay Mod Interface

After loading your recording, you'll see:

• Timeline at bottom - shows the entire recording as a horizontal bar
• Playback controls - play/pause buttons
• Timeline cursor - vertical line showing current position in time
• Speed controls - buttons to speed up/slow down playback
• Camera path editor - usually accessed via button or menu

Important controls to learn:

• Left-click and drag on timeline = scrub through time (like fast-forwarding/rewinding)
• Spacebar = play/pause
• WASD keys = move camera in viewer (same as walking in Minecraft)
• Mouse = look around
• Shift/Space = move camera down/up
• Speed buttons = change how fast time moves (1x, 2x, 4x, etc.)

Step 2: Finding Key Moments in Your Recording

Before setting camera paths, identify important moments:

1. Scrub through the entire recording (drag timeline cursor)
2. Note these timestamps (write them down):
   • When Schematicannon starts (foundation begins)
   • When walls start going up (around 25% complete)
   • When towers start appearing (around 50% complete)
   • When roof begins (around 75% complete)
   • When build is 100% complete

Example:

• 0:00 = Empty plot
• 5:30 = Foundation complete
• 15:00 = Walls half-up
• 30:00 = Towers starting
• 45:00 = Roof going on
• 60:00 = Build complete

Step 3: Setting Up Camera Paths (The 4 Main Angles)

How to Set a Keyframe Pair (Do this for EVERY camera angle below):

1. Move your camera (WASD keys) to the desired location and angle
2. Set the TOP Timeline cursor to the correct build progress timestamp
3. Set the BOTTOM Timeline cursor to the correct video timestamp
4. Click BOTH buttons: "Add Position Keyframe" (Map Pin icon) AND "Add Time Keyframe" (Stopwatch icon)

You MUST click both buttons every time, or the timelapse will not work correctly!

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Camera 1: Ground-Level Orbit (0:00-0:45 of timelapse)

Purpose: Shows scale, foundation going in, castle emerging.

START of Camera 1:

1. Camera Position: Use WASD to fly to ground level, 60-80 blocks away from build center, facing the empty plot
2. TOP Timeline (Raw Recording): Scrub yellow cursor to when Schematicannon just starts (e.g., 0:15)
3. BOTTOM Timeline (Final Video): Scrub green cursor to 0:00
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" (map pin) AND "Add Time Keyframe" (stopwatch)

END of Camera 1:

1. Camera Position: Fly to the OPPOSITE side of the build (180° around from start), still at ground level, 60-80 blocks away, facing the building
2. TOP Timeline: Scrub yellow cursor forward to when walls are starting to go up (e.g., 15:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Scrub green cursor forward to 0:45
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

Result: Camera will slowly orbit around the build at ground level as it constructs, compressed from 15 minutes of real time into 45 seconds of video.

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Camera 2: Mid-Height Rising Shot (0:45-1:30)

Purpose: Shows walls going up, towers appearing, structure complexity.

START of Camera 2:

1. Camera Position: Fly to 50 blocks high (press F3 to check Y-coordinate), 80 blocks away from center, facing the building
2. TOP Timeline: Leave it where Camera 1 ended (e.g., 15:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Leave it at 0:45
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

END of Camera 2:

1. Camera Position: Fly up to 150 blocks high, move to a different side of building (90° or 180° orbit), still 80 blocks from center, facing building
2. TOP Timeline: Scrub forward to when towers are forming (e.g., 35:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Scrub forward to 1:30
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

Result: Camera rises from 50 to 150 blocks while orbiting, showing the towers as they build. Looks like a helicopter shot!

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Camera 3: Top-Down Symmetry View (1:30-2:00)

Purpose: Shows the 150x150 footprint, symmetrical Fire/Frost design.

START of Camera 3:

1. Camera Position: Fly directly above the center of the castle, 250 blocks high, angle camera to look straight down
2. TOP Timeline: Leave it where Camera 2 ended (e.g., 35:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Leave it at 1:30
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

END of Camera 3:

1. Camera Position: Stay at 250 blocks high, rotate camera 45-90 degrees around center, still looking down
2. TOP Timeline: Scrub forward to when roof goes on (e.g., 50:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Scrub forward to 2:00
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

Result: Slow rotation from bird's eye view showing the symmetrical castle layout.

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Camera 4: Dramatic Wide Reveal (2:00-2:30)

Purpose: Final "monument" reveal, shows completed castle against skyline.

START of Camera 4:

1. Camera Position: Fly FAR away (200 blocks from center), 100 blocks high, facing the castle (it should look small in the distance)
2. TOP Timeline: Leave it where Camera 3 ended (e.g., 50:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Leave it at 2:00
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

END of Camera 4:

1. Camera Position: Move closer to castle (100 blocks away), same height (100 blocks), center the fully built castle in frame
2. TOP Timeline: Scrub to final moment when build is 100% done (e.g., 60:00)
3. BOTTOM Timeline: Scrub to 2:30
4. ACTION: Click "Add Position Keyframe" AND "Add Time Keyframe"

Result: Slow dramatic push-in to the completed castle. Final hero shot!

Step 4: Understanding How Speed Works (AUTOMATIC!)

Because you are using Time Keyframes with the TWO TIMELINE system, Replay Mod automatically calculates the speed for you!

How it works:

• If 15 minutes of TOP Timeline (raw footage) is squeezed into 45 seconds of BOTTOM Timeline (final video), the mod automatically fast-forwards it!
• The ratio between the two timelines = your playback speed

Examples:

• Camera 1: 15 min raw → 45 sec video = 20x speed (automatic!)
• Camera 2: 20 min raw → 45 sec video = 26x speed (automatic!)
• Camera 3: 15 min raw → 30 sec video = 30x speed (automatic!)
• Camera 4: 10 min raw → 30 sec video = 20x speed (automatic!)

If a section feels too fast:

• Drag the keyframes on the BOTTOM Timeline (green cursor) further apart
• This gives it more video time to play out = slower playback

If a section feels too slow:

• Drag the keyframes on the BOTTOM Timeline closer together
• This compresses it into less video time = faster playback

You don't need to manually set "8x speed" or "12x speed" - the TWO TIMELINE system does it for you!

Step 5: Making Camera Movement Smooth (Interpolation)

What is interpolation? How Replay Mod calculates the path between keyframes.

Two main types:

• Linear = Straight line from A to B (robotic, mechanical feel)
• Cubic = Smooth curve from A to B (cinematic, professional feel)

How to change:

1. Right-click on a camera path segment (the lines connecting your keyframes on the BOTTOM Timeline)
2. Look for "Interpolation" or "Path Type" in the menu
3. Select "Cubic" (or "Smooth" or "Ease In/Out")
4. Preview the movement
5. Much smoother!

Pro tip: Use Cubic for everything unless you specifically want robotic movement.

Step 6: Preview Your Full Edit

1. Scrub the BOTTOM Timeline cursor back to 0:00

2. Press the Play button (located near the BOTTOM Timeline)

3. Watch the entire 2.5-minute sequence:

   • Camera 1 orbits at ground level
   • Camera 2 rises while orbiting
   • Camera 3 shows top-down rotation
   • Camera 4 final wide reveal
   • The castle should rapidly build itself while camera moves smoothly!

4. Take notes on what to adjust:

   • Camera too fast? Drag BOTTOM Timeline keyframes further apart
   • Camera too slow? Drag BOTTOM Timeline keyframes closer together
   • Camera angle wrong? Delete keyframe, reposition, add new keyframe pair
   • Jerky movement? Change interpolation to Cubic
   • Want to linger on a moment? Add more keyframe pairs close together

5. Make adjustments and preview again

6. Repeat until you're happy with it

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Forgetting Time Keyframes:

• If the camera moves but the building doesn't build, you forgot the stopwatch icon!
• ALWAYS click both Position (map pin) AND Time (stopwatch) for every keyframe pair

❌ Too many camera angles:

• 4-5 angles is perfect
• More than that gets chaotic

❌ Camera moves too fast:

• Slow, smooth movements look professional
• Fast whip-pans look amateur
• Adjust by dragging BOTTOM Timeline keyframes further apart

❌ Not previewing before rendering:

• Always preview the full edit multiple times
• Rendering takes hours - don't waste time on a bad edit

❌ Forgetting to save:

• Replay Mod usually auto-saves camera paths
• But double-check - don't lose hours of work

❌ Using Linear interpolation:

• Always use Cubic/Smooth for cinematic results

Camera Path Summary Checklist

• Understand TWO TIMELINE system (TOP = raw recording, BOTTOM = final video)
• Camera 1: Ground orbit with Position + Time keyframes, Cubic interpolation
• Camera 2: Rising shot with Position + Time keyframes, Cubic interpolation
• Camera 3: Top-down rotation with Position + Time keyframes, Cubic interpolation
• Camera 4: Wide reveal with Position + Time keyframes, Cubic interpolation
• All keyframe pairs include BOTH Position (map pin) AND Time (stopwatch)
• All sections use Cubic interpolation for smooth movement
• Full edit previewed on BOTTOM Timeline and looks smooth
• Total timelapse length: 2-3 minutes
• Camera paths saved/auto-saved

When checklist complete: Proceed to rendering!

Color Grading / Post-Effects (Optional)

If Replay Mod supports it or you'll do in post-production:

• Warm color grade on one side (Fire - orange/red tint)
• Cool color grade on other side (Frost - blue/cyan tint)
• Contrast boost for drama
• Vignette on edges

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PHASE 5: RENDERING (Exporting Final Video)

Estimated Time: 2-12 Hours (Let it run overnight)

Render Settings

Resolution:

• 1920x1080 (1080p) - minimum, good for social media
• 3840x2160 (4K) - recommended for website hero video
• Note: 4K takes 4x longer to render and 4x more disk space

Frame Rate:

• 60 FPS - smooth, cinematic, recommended
• 30 FPS - acceptable if laptop struggles

Video Codec:

• H.264/MP4 - universal compatibility
• Quality: High or Maximum

Estimated Render Time:

• 1080p 60fps: 2-4 hours
• 4K 60fps: 8-12+ hours
• Let it render overnight

Rendering Process

1. In Replay Mod, select "Render Video"

2. Choose settings above

3. Select output folder (make sure you have space)

4. Start render

5. Do NOT use laptop during rendering:

   • Close all other programs
   • Let it run
   • Keep plugged in
   • Monitor temperature

6. Wait for completion

7. Check output file:

   • Does it play?
   • Correct length?
   • All camera angles present?
   • No glitches?

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PHASE 6: POST-PRODUCTION (Optional Enhancements)

Estimated Time: 30-60 Minutes

Adding Text Overlays

Opening (0:00-0:05):

• Text: "Building the Firefrost Legacy"
• Fade in/out

Closing (2:25-2:30):

• Text: "For children not yet born 💙"
• Hold on completed castle
• Fade out

Audio

Music:

• Epic orchestral track (copyright-free from Epidemic Sound, Artlist, etc.)
• Fire + Frost duality theme (blend intense and calm)
• Sync camera cuts to music beats

Sound Effects (optional):

• Schematicannon firing sounds
• Block placement sounds (subtle)
• Wind ambience for castle atmosphere

Multiple Versions for Different Platforms

Full Version (2-3 min):

• Website hero background video
• YouTube upload
• Community showcase

Short Version (30 sec):

• Instagram/TikTok teaser
• Discord announcements
• Social media ads

Ultra-Short (10 sec):

• Website loading animation
• Social media stories
• Quick hype drops

Export Settings for Each Platform

Website Hero Video:

• MP4, H.264
• 1080p or 4K
• Compressed for web (target 50-100MB)
• Loopable (fade end to beginning)

YouTube:

• MP4, H.264
• 4K 60fps
• Highest quality

Instagram/TikTok:

• MP4, H.264
• 1080x1920 (vertical) - crop/reframe your horizontal video
• Under 60 seconds
• High bitrate

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BACKUP STRATEGY (CRITICAL)

During Recording:

• Replay file saves automatically
• Do NOT delete until confirmed working

After Recording:

• Copy replay file to external drive or cloud storage
• Keep original until final video is complete

After Rendering:

• Save both source replay file and final video
• Multiple copies (local + cloud)
• This took hours to create - don't lose it

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem: Recording file is massive (50GB+)

• Solution: Normal for multi-hour recordings. Ensure disk space before starting.

Problem: Laptop overheating during recording

• Solution: Stop, let cool, add external cooling, reduce render distance, try again.

Problem: Replay playback is laggy

• Solution: Reduce playback quality in viewer settings. Final render will be smooth.

Problem: Missing chunks in replay

• Solution: Render distance was too low. Unfortunately, cannot fix after recording. Restart with higher render distance.

Problem: Recording crashed mid-build

• Solution: Reload world, check if partial replay saved. May need to start over. This is why we test first.

Problem: Final render crashes

• Solution: Reduce resolution (try 1080p instead of 4K), close all programs, render overnight.

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FINAL CHECKLIST BEFORE STARTING

• Test recording completed successfully
• Sufficient disk space (50GB+ free)
• Laptop plugged into AC power
• All unnecessary programs closed
• Render distance set to 20+
• Schematicannon speed adjusted in-game menu
• Schematicannon loaded with castle schematic, blocks, and fuel
• Build site cleared and clean
• Time and weather set
• Camera starting position chosen
• Replay Mod recording ready to start

When all boxes are checked: START RECORDING and build the Firefrost Legacy. 🔥❄️🏰

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POST-SESSION NOTES

After completing the timelapse:

• Save this guide for future builds
• Document any issues encountered
• Share final video with Firefrost community
• Use across website, social media, Discord

This is flagship content. Take your time. Do it right. For children not yet born. 💙