Why I Test AI Frame Interpolation Tools
In our hands-on test, we compared motion artifacts, output speed, platform support, privacy, and free limits. This technical methodology keeps the frame interpolation software comparison consistent across desktop, online, and open-source options.
Search intent note: this section compares frame interpolation software alongside ai frame interpolation, frame interpolation online, frame interpolation app. The labels are not interchangeable: desktop software prioritizes control and batch work, while browser tools prioritize convenience and impose different upload, credit, privacy, or export limits.
Quick answer: the best frame interpolation software depends on where you process video. Use a desktop AI frame interpolation app for long, private, or 4K jobs; use frame interpolation online for short clips when upload limits and retention are acceptable; use open-source tools when you need local control and can manage GPU setup. Compare motion artifacts, target FPS, platform, limits, and privacy—not just the maximum FPS claim.
I'm Echo Drewer, a content contributor focused on video restoration. I started seriously researching AI frame interpolation when I was restoring old 24fps home videos and 30fps client demos for short-form social platforms. Traditional frame duplication looked stuttery the moment any object moved across the screen — so AI-based interpolation became the practical fix. The reviews below are based on roughly 30 hours of hands-on testing across 12 desktop, online, and open-source tools, with the same 1-minute 30fps clip rendered through every workflow. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Quick Summary: Best AI Frame Interpolation Tools in 2026
Below is a short cheat sheet before the deep reviews — these picks for the best frame interpolation software are based on hands-on testing of all 12 tools.
- Best overall quality: UniFab Smoother AI
- Best free desktop: Flowframes (open-source, RIFE-based)
- Best online (no install): TensorPix, Neural.Love
- Best for beginners: UniFab Smoother AI (one-click 60/120 fps)
- Best for real-time playback: SmoothVideo Project (SVP)
- Best for slow-motion in an editor: DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro optical flow
What is AI Frame Interpolation
AI frame interpolation — also called video interpolation software when packaged as a standalone app — is a video-processing technique that uses deep learning motion prediction to generate brand-new intermediate frames between the frames already in your clip. Unlike traditional frame duplication — which simply copies the previous frame and produces visible judder on any moving subject — AI models analyse motion vectors and object shapes so the synthesised frames look like real, in-between moments captured by the camera. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Practical uses include:
- Converting 24 fps or 30 fps source video to 60 fps or 120 fps
- Creating smoother slow-motion without "flutter" between duplicated frames
- Reducing motion judder in gaming and sports footage
- Improving playback on modern 90/120/144 Hz displays
- Restoring vintage or hand-drawn animation to a modern frame rate
Why Frame Rate Matters
Key benefits of higher frame rates:
- Removes motion jitter — low-fps clips feel choppy on big screens; interpolated frames smooth the transition between fast camera pans.
- Improves slow-motion — synthesised frames keep motion fluid when you stretch a clip 2× or 4×.
- Boosts gaming content — streamers convert 30 fps capture to 60/120 fps so the final upload feels as responsive as it looked on-screen.
- Restores classic footage — pair frame interpolation with a video upscaler and a denoiser to bring 480p / 24fps tapes to modern 4K / 60fps playback.
- Enhances VR/AR — headsets need 90 fps+ to avoid motion sickness; interpolation fills the gap when source content is captured at a lower frame rate.
How AI Video Frame Interpolation Works
The processing pipeline is broadly similar across modern tools:
- Motion analysis — the model tracks motion vectors and identifies moving objects across two consecutive frames.
- Smart frame synthesis — a neural network predicts the most likely intermediate frame (often more than one) that would have existed between them.
- Adaptive smoothing — context-aware blending balances motion sharpness against fluidity to keep edges clean.
- Optional real-time interpolation — some tools (SVP, certain GPU drivers) do this on the fly during playback rather than rendering a new file.
2X vs 4X vs 8X interpolation — what changes?
| Mode | What it does | GPU cost | Best for |
| 2X | One new frame between every pair (30 → 60) | Light | Standard smoothing, streaming, gameplay |
| 4X | Three new frames per pair (30 → 120) | Medium-heavy | Slow-motion in post, high-refresh playback |
| 8X | Seven new frames per pair (30 → 240) | Heavy | Extreme slow-motion; expect more artefacts |
Practical rule of thumb: 2X is safe almost everywhere. 4X is great for slow-motion but starts to introduce ghosting around fast-moving small objects. 8X is best left to short clips and clean source footage. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
Algorithms Behind AI Frame Interpolation
You'll see the same handful of model names across most tools — knowing what they do helps you pick the right tool for your footage. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
| Algorithm | Strength | Used by |
| RIFE (Real-time Intermediate Flow Estimation) | Fast, low VRAM, strong on live action | Flowframes, SVP, several online tools |
| DAIN (Depth-Aware) | Treats foreground/background separately, good on objects with depth | DAIN-App, Flowframes |
| FLAVR (Flow-Agnostic) | Skips explicit optical flow, robust on chaotic motion | Flowframes |
| Chronos / Apollo / Aion | Topaz's in-house models, tuned for cinematic motion and slow-motion | Topaz Video AI |
| Smoother AI | UniFab's in-house model tuned for restoration + clean 120fps output | UniFab Smoother AI |
| Optical Flow / MEMC | Classical motion estimation, low quality but fast | Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, many TVs |
Quick Comparison Table of AI Frame Interpolation Apps
2026 shortlist update: compare UniFab, Topaz Video, Flowframes, DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, SmoothVideo Project, Topaz's browser tool, TensorPix, and other current options. HandBrake can change frame-rate metadata or duplicate/blend frames, but it is not a true AI frame interpolation model and should not be judged as one. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
| Software | Type | Supported System | Max FPS | Best For | Ease of Use |
| UniFab Smoother AI | Desktop (AI) | Windows, macOS | 120fps | High-quality AI frame interpolation & motion smoothing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Topaz Video AI | Desktop (AI) | Windows, macOS | 120fps | Cinematic slow motion & video enhancement | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SmoothVideo Project (SVP) | Desktop (Real-time) | Windows, macOS, Linux | 240fps | Real-time playback frame interpolation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| HitPaw Video Enhancer | Desktop (AI) | Windows, macOS | 60fps | Video upscaling with frame interpolation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | Desktop (Editor) | Windows, macOS | Project-based | Professional video editing workflows | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Final Cut Pro | Desktop (Editor) | macOS | Project-based | macOS professional editing & effects | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| DaVinci Resolve | Desktop (Editor) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Project-based | Color grading & advanced post-production | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| TensorPix | Online (AI) | Browser | 60fps | Quick online AI frame interpolation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Neural.Love | Online (AI) | Browser | 120fps | Online AI enhancement & interpolation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Flowframes | Open-source | Windows | Project-based | Advanced users & anime interpolation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| DAIN-App | Open-source | Windows | 60fps+ | Object-aware frame interpolation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| HandBrake | Open-source | Windows, macOS, Linux | Limited | Basic video conversion & interpolation | ⭐⭐ |
AI Frame Interpolation Software [Windows & Mac]
1. UniFab Smoother AI Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows and Mac
UniFab Smoother AI is the easiest AI frame interpolation app I've used: drop a clip, pick 60 fps or 120 fps, and start. The Smoother model generates entirely new intermediate frames rather than duplicating existing ones, which keeps motion natural even on fast camera pans.
Key features:
- Multiple FPS targets (2×, 3×, 4×, 60 fps, 120 fps)
- Slow-motion creation with 2× or 3× speed reduction
- Built-in pass to remove motion blur, flicker, and jitter
- Simple, automated workflow with batch support
- Video trimming, codec, format, and bitrate control
- Modern GPU hardware acceleration (NVIDIA / Apple Silicon)
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly interface — no model tweaking required
- Frame interpolation up to 120 fps with a single click
- 30-day free trial, no watermark
- Specific frame-rate selection (not just multipliers)
- GPU acceleration on both Windows and macOS
Cons:
- Not available on Linux
How to Carry Out AI Video Frame Interpolation with UniFab Smoother AI
30-day Free Trial for full features, without watermark!
- Step 1Start UniFab and select 'Smoother' module
Download and install UniFab software on your device. Open it, navigate to 'All Features,' and choose 'Smoother' under 'Video AI.' Then, click 'Add Video' to choose the video file for ai frame interpolation.
- Step 2Tailor frame interpolation settings
Now, you can make necessary customizations regarding frame interpolation, frame rate, quality, output format, codec, etc.
- Step 3Begin Processing
Click the 'Start' button to begin. UniFab will use AI add frames to video with accelerated processing.
2. Topaz Video AI Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows & macOS
Topaz Video Enhance AI ships with three AI frame interpolation models: Apollo, Chronos, and Aion. Each targets a different scenario — standard interpolation, cinematic slow-motion, and high-quality frame reconstruction respectively. For a deeper model-by-model breakdown, see Topaz Apollo vs Chronos.
Pros:
- Cinematic slow-mo up to 16× at 60 fps
- Premium upscaling models (Artemis, Gaia HQ)
- Dedicated cartoon / CG models (Theia, Gaia CG)
- Modern, intuitive interface
Cons:
- Output preview sometimes lags
- Pricier than most alternatives
3. SmoothVideo Project Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows, Linux & macOS
SVP (SmoothVideo Project) is the go-to choice when you want to play back video at 60 fps or higher rather than re-encode a new file. It hooks into your video player and applies real-time interpolation using MEMC, RIFE, and NVIDIA Optical Flow.
Pros:
- Real-time conversion to 60/120/240 fps
- Multiple encoding modes when you do export
- Auto-detects and removes black bars
- FPS multipliers from 2× up to 8×
- Lightweight on modern GPUs
Cons:
- Long-running playback strains CPU/GPU significantly
- Setup is fiddlier than one-click apps
4. HitPaw Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows & macOS
HitPaw AI Video Enhancer bundles frame interpolation with resolution upscaling and four AI models for different enhancement modes. It works best when you want one app to handle smoothing plus quick upscaling.
Pros:
- 30+ input format support
- Enhancement to 8K resolution
- Batch processing
- Built-in media player and noise reduction
Cons:
- 2-minute 20-second duration limit per file
- Output quality varies on fast motion
5. Adobe Premiere Pro Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows & macOS
Premiere Pro offers both Optical Flow and Frame Sampling as time-interpolation options. It isn't an "AI" model in the strict sense, but Optical Flow does motion estimation and works well on clean source footage with predictable motion. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Pros:
- Polished editing pipeline with full colour grading
- Strong noise reduction and dialogue enhancement
- Hundreds of built-in effects and transitions
- Tight integration with the Adobe ecosystem
Cons:
- Frame interpolation quality lags behind dedicated AI tools
- Subscription pricing
6. Final Cut Pro AI Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: macOS
Final Cut Pro's Optical Flow retime is reliable for short slow-motion segments inside an edit. Machine-learning object tracking helps the engine separate moving subjects from the background. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
Pros:
- Heavy use of multicore CPU/GPU on Apple Silicon
- High-quality presets for export
- Batch exporting
- Multichannel audio with voice isolation
Cons:
- macOS only
- Optical Flow can stutter on chaotic motion
7. DaVinci Resolve AI Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows, Linux, and macOS
DaVinci Resolve combines editing, colour, VFX, motion graphics, and audio in one tool. Its Optical Flow retime — and the AI-assisted Speed Warp on the Studio version — handle slow-motion well inside the timeline without round-tripping to a dedicated app. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Pros:
- Automatic and manual frame interpolation
- Plugins for surface tracking and depth mapping
- Multi-user collaboration on projects
- Generous free tier
Cons:
- The best AI retime (Speed Warp) is gated behind the paid Studio licence
- Heavy GPU usage on long timelines
My take on AI frame interpolation software tools
The seven desktop tools above all use some form of motion estimation or AI synthesis to boost smoothness. Dedicated AI apps (UniFab, Topaz, HitPaw) handle restoration of older / lower-quality footage noticeably better than NLE Optical Flow features (Premiere, FCP, DaVinci) — the trade-off is that dedicated apps re-render the whole clip, while editor retiming stays inside your timeline. All of them want a modern GPU. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
AI Frame Interpolation Online
8. TensorPix AI Frame Interpolation Online
Supported System: Online
TensorPix is a browser-based AI enhancer with motion smoothing built in. You upload a clip, pick a 2×, 4×, or 8× multiplier, and download the result — no install required.
Pros:
- Browser-based, no install - 2× / 4× / 8× motion smoothing
- Stacks with denoise, stabilisation, and colour restoration
- Free credits for first-time users
Cons:
- Upload speed bottlenecks long clips
- Per-minute credit cost adds up for repeat use
9. Neural.Love Online Video Frame Interpolation
Supported System: Online
Neural.love is an encrypted browser tool focused on speed: drag-and-drop a clip and get 60 fps or 120 fps output. It also handles facial enhancement and 4K upscaling alongside frame interpolation.
Pros:
- 60 fps and 120 fps targets
- Optional facial enhancement / restoration
- Output upscaling to 1080p / 4K
- Encrypted transfer
Cons:
- Limited control over interpolation strength
- File-size limits on free plan
My take on online AI frame interpolation tools
Online tools are unbeatable for short, one-off jobs — no install, predictable quality. Their two weaknesses are upload time on long files and a hard cap on advanced settings, which is why anything longer than a few minutes is faster to process on the desktop. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Open-Source AI Frame Interpolation Tools
10. Flowframes Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows
Flowframes is a free, open-source GPU-accelerated front-end that lets you choose between RIFE, DAIN, and FLAVR. It's the open-source community's favourite for anime / hand-drawn content because RIFE handles 2D motion cleanly. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
Pros:
- Three models (RIFE / DAIN / FLAVR) in one UI
- Built-in frame deduplication and speed compensation
- Retains audio and subtitles
- Runs on lower-end GPUs
- 4K interpolation supported
- Batch processing
Cons:
- Occasional glitches after long runs
- Windows-only
11. DAIN-App Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows
DAIN-App is a depth-aware AI interpolation tool that prioritises sharpness on foreground objects. It accepts MP4 and GIF input and exports in multiple formats. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Pros:
- 2× / 4× / 8× modes
- Splits long clips into per-frame stills for granular control
- Smoothness on simple motion is strong
- Friendly UI for an open-source tool
Cons:
- Frame drops, red flickers, and playback issues on complex motion
- Requires a CUDA-capable NVIDIA GPU
12. HandBrake Frame Interpolation Software
Supported System: Windows, Linux & macOS
HandBrake is a free, open-source video converter best known for codec re-encoding. It includes basic frame-rate options (CFR / VFR) but the smoothing quality lags well behind AI tools — useful for format conversion, less so for true interpolation. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
Pros:
- Wide format support
- Reads DVD / Blu-ray (without copy protection)
- CFR and VFR output
- Free forever
Cons:
- Frame interpolation results are visibly poor compared to AI tools
- No GPU-accelerated AI model
My take on open-source AI frame interpolation tools
Open-source tools are powerful when you're willing to invest time learning the model trade-offs (RIFE vs DAIN vs FLAVR) and managing dependencies. They're a poor fit for casual users who just want one clean 60 fps render — for that, a paid app pays for itself in saved hours. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation software.
Before You Interpolate: Shoot Smarter
The cleanest interpolation result comes from clean source footage. If you control the camera, plan ahead:
- Match your shutter speed to your target frame rate: shoot at 1/60s if you plan to interpolate to 60 fps; 1/120s if you're going to 120 fps. This avoids the "soap-opera" look that mismatched shutter speeds produce.
- Lock exposure during fast motion: AI interpolation falters across sudden brightness changes (auto-exposure pumping). Lock ISO and aperture before recording.
- Keep shots short and intentional: smaller chunks of fast motion interpolate better than long, complex sequences.
Pick the Right Tool by Use Case
| Use case | Recommended tool | Why |
| 2D animation / anime | Flowframes (RIFE) or UniFab Smoother AI | RIFE handles drawn motion cleanly; UniFab handles colour stability |
| Gaming clips (30 → 60 fps) | UniFab Smoother AI or SVP | UniFab for render, SVP for live playback |
| Restoring 24fps home video | UniFab Smoother AI + a video upscaler | Smoother for motion, upscaler for resolution |
| Slow-motion inside an edit | DaVinci Resolve / Final Cut Pro / Premiere | Stay inside the timeline, no round-trip |
| Quick browser job | TensorPix or Neural.Love | No install, predictable results |
| Open-source tinkering | Flowframes + DAIN-App | Switch between RIFE / DAIN / FLAVR |
How We Tested
To keep this list honest, every tool was tested under the same conditions:
- Hardware: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, 32 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD, Windows 11.
- Source clip: 60-second 1080p clip at 30 fps containing both static and fast-pan footage.
- Target: 60 fps output (and 120 fps where supported).
- What we measured: render time, visual smoothness (manual frame-by-frame review), artefact density on fast motion, ghosting around small objects, audio sync.
- What we excluded: file format conversion alone (HandBrake CFR pass) doesn't count as AI interpolation; we still measured it as a baseline.
- Last verified: May 2026.
Performance Comparison: Which is the Best AI Frame Interpolation Software
Summary: UniFab Smoother AI produced the cleanest 60 fps output with the fewest artefacts. Topaz Video AI was close behind but consumed more GPU memory. HitPaw was the fastest end-to-end but visibly weaker on fast motion. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
| Tool | Model Used | Conversion Time | Visual Quality | Artifacts | AI Frame Generation Accuracy |
| UniFab Smoother AI | Smoother AI | 3 min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) | Minimal | Very Accurate |
| Topaz Video AI | Chronos Fast | 2 min 30 sec | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate) | Noticeable | Decent |
| HitPaw Video Enhancer | Frame Rate Interpolation | 3 min | ⭐⭐⭐ (Low) | High | Less Accurate |
AI Frame Interpolation Software vs Free Online Tools
Test conditions: 30 fps 1080p action footage → 60 fps; focus on motion smoothness, artefacts, and processing time.
Results:
- UniFab Smoother AI: clean motion, stable edges, no visible jitter.
- Online tools (TensorPix, Neural.Love): acceptable smoothness but visible blur and ghosting in fast motion.
Recommendation: use online tools to evaluate short clips quickly, then move final-production renders to a dedicated desktop app like UniFab Smoother AI. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating ai frame interpolation. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
The Best AI Frame Interpolation Software
The world of AI frame interpolation offers a range of options tailored to diverse needs. This technology revolutionizes animated movies, elevates gaming experiences, and transforms videography with advanced features that bring vibrant content directly to your screen. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
If you seek for the high-quality effect, you must try UniFab Smoother AI. Regardless of your requirements, this AI frame interpolation tool empowers you to create smoother, more realistic video footage, effortlessly enhancing video quality. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation online. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
If these options don't meet your needs, you can also check out the article on 60 FPS video converter reviews.
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FAQs about AI Frame Interpolation
What is AI frame interpolation and how does it differ from frame duplication?
AI frame interpolation uses a neural network to synthesise brand-new intermediate frames between two real frames, predicting where every object should be. Frame duplication simply copies the previous frame, which produces visible judder on any movement. AI frame interpolation reads motion vectors and object shapes, so the new frames look like real moments captured by the camera. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
Does frame interpolation increase real FPS or just perceived smoothness?
It increases the recorded frame rate of the output file — the new file genuinely contains more frames per second. Those frames are AI-generated rather than camera-captured, so they reflect predicted motion. Perceived smoothness depends on whether the prediction is accurate; on clean source footage with predictable motion, the result looks indistinguishable from a high-fps original. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation app. For frame interpolation software, this criterion should be checked on the actual source clip.
Can AI frame interpolation upscale resolution at the same time?
Some tools combine both passes — UniFab, Topaz Video AI, and HitPaw can interpolate frames and upscale resolution in a single render. Online tools usually keep the two passes separate. If you're restoring old footage, run frame interpolation last (after upscaling and denoising) so the model has the cleanest possible input.
What is the best free AI frame interpolation software?
Among free tools, Flowframes (Windows, open-source) gives the best quality because it ships with multiple model backends — RIFE, DAIN, and FLAVR. TensorPix's free credits are useful for short browser jobs without an install. HandBrake is free too but its interpolation is closer to traditional frame blending and noticeably weaker on fast motion. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating ai frame interpolation.
How much do paid AI frame interpolation tools cost — is it worth it?
Paid tools typically run between $30 and $300 a year. UniFab and HitPaw sit on the affordable end; Topaz Video AI is mid-tier; DaVinci Resolve Studio is a one-off licence. If you process more than a few clips a month, the time saved on per-render setup and the quality jump over free tools usually justify the cost — especially for client-facing work.
How do I convert a 30fps video to 60fps with AI?
Open your tool (for UniFab Smoother AI: Smoother module → Add Video), set the target frame rate to 60 fps, choose your output codec (H.264 or H.265 for compatibility, ProRes if you'll edit further), confirm the output folder, and start the render. On a modern GPU a 60-second 1080p clip takes around 3 minutes; 4K clips take roughly 4× longer. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation online.
What settings give the best results for old 24fps film?
For 24 fps film you have two safe choices: stay at 24 fps and only denoise/upscale, or interpolate to 48 fps or 60 fps. Jumping straight to 120 fps on film often looks unnatural because of the "soap-opera effect". Denoise before you interpolate, keep the multiplier conservative (2× or 2.5×), and prefer models tuned for restoration such as UniFab's Smoother AI or Topaz's Chronos.
UniFab Smoother AI vs Topaz Video AI — which is better for frame interpolation?
In our same-source testing, UniFab Smoother AI produced cleaner motion with fewer artefacts and used less GPU memory; Topaz Video AI was slightly faster on the same clip but showed noticeable ghosting around small fast-moving objects. UniFab also tends to be cheaper. Choose Topaz if you also need its full upscaling model library; choose UniFab if frame interpolation is the primary job. This is also a practical consideration when evaluating frame interpolation app.
Should I use online frame interpolation tools or desktop software?
Online tools (TensorPix, Neural.Love) are best for short clips, one-off jobs, and when you can't install software. Desktop tools (UniFab, Topaz, Flowframes) win on long clips, batch processing, advanced settings, and final-production quality. A practical workflow is to test on an online tool, then commit the final render on the desktop.
Why does interpolated video sometimes show artefacts or ghosting, and how do I fix it?
Artefacts happen when the model can't confidently predict the in-between frame — usually on sudden cuts, fast object overlap, heavy grain, or low-light flicker. Fixes: denoise before interpolating, drop from 4× back to 2× on chaotic shots, lock exposure during capture if you can, and pick a model tuned for your content (RIFE for animation, UniFab Smoother / Topaz Chronos for live action).