Getting started

Before you start

ZenDreamer is a Windows-first, local-first editor. Conventional editing works without an AI connection. AI planning and generation require an internet connection and a fal.ai account.

During private beta, use only the installer supplied through the official ZenDreamer beta channel. Your project media can be large, so choose a project drive with comfortable free space.

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 on a 64-bit PC
• A modern GPU is recommended for smooth preview
• Free disk space for original media, generated outputs, proxies, and exports
• An optional fal.ai API-scoped key for AI features

Activate ZenDreamer

1. Launch ZenDreamer and paste the license key from your purchase or private-beta invitation.
2. Choose Activate ZenDreamer. The license server registers this Windows PC and returns a signed offline authorization.
3. After activation, ZenDreamer checks the license when it starts. If the server cannot be reached, the saved authorization keeps the editor available for up to seven days.
4. To move a single-device license, open Settings → License and deactivate the old PC before activating the new one.

Create your first project

1. Launch ZenDreamer and choose Create Project.
2. Give the project a name. ZenDreamer saves it in the Projects folder chosen in Settings.
3. Choose the shape of the video: 16:9, vertical, square, 4K, or a custom size.
4. Choose a frame rate and a global visual style. The style helps future storyboard and creation steps stay visually connected.
5. Create the project, then import media or open the Storyboard workspace.

Connect fal.ai

The ZenDreamer software license and fal.ai usage are separate. Model inference is billed by fal.ai. A missing balance reading does not necessarily mean generation is unavailable.

1. Open the fal.ai connection panel from ZenDreamer.
2. Use Open fal.ai API Keys and create an API-scoped key. Do not use an ADMIN key unless a future integration explicitly requires it.
3. Paste the key into ZenDreamer and validate the connection.
4. Choose secure persistence to keep the key on this Windows account, or use it for the current session only.
5. Review the connection fingerprint and optional balance, then close the dialog.

A simple first workflow

1. Import a video, image, or audio file into the project.
2. Drag the asset onto a compatible timeline track.
3. Move, trim, or split the clip and preview the result in the Program Monitor.
4. Open Export, choose H.264 MP4 — Match Sequence, and select a destination.
5. Follow progress in Jobs and reveal the completed file when rendering finishes.