Building TransMov: A macOS Tool to Convert Videos to GIF/APNG with Local AI Background Removal

#animation #cursor #videoediting

Hi dev.to community! 👋

I recently finished building my first indie macOS app, TransMov, and wanted to share the development journey, challenges, and lessons learned — especially for other independent developers who might be tackling small workflow-focused tools.

The Problem

When I was working on my previous app, I needed some animation assets. APNG turned out to be a good choice, and we also experimented with Lottie animations. However:

Professional tools like After Effects are expensive, complex, and not always accessible, especially in certain regions like China.
Video editing apps like CapCut support background removal, but export options are limited (MP4/MOV/GIF).
AI tools like Lovart allow background removal, but they consume paid AI credits, which doesn’t scale for ongoing use.

I wanted a privacy-first, local solution that could turn videos into GIF/APNG/WebP animations without relying on cloud services or paid subscriptions.

The Solution: TransMov

I first prototyped a web version using Cursor, which allowed me to generate the first cat animation for my PurrrrrFocus Pomodoro app. After seeing it work well, I decided to make a native macOS app.

1 week to build the first functional version
Several weeks of testing and iterative improvements
1 month from idea to Mac App Store-ready product

Features now include:

Video → GIF/APNG/WebP conversion
AI-powered video background removal (local processing, privacy-first)
Frame-by-frame preview and advanced export options
Targeted at designers, developers, and content creators

Lessons Learned

Start small: A single workflow problem can become a useful standalone tool.
Prototype fast: The web version helped me validate the idea before committing to a full native app.
Iterate with feedback: Early testing and adjusting based on small user feedback saves time in the long run.

Next Steps / Open Questions

I’d love to hear from the community:

How do you discover niche workflow tools as an indie developer?
Any tips for gaining early traction without a mailing list or pre-existing audience?
What’s your favorite approach to building privacy-first creative apps?

If anyone is curious, I can share short demo GIFs showing AI background removal and video → animation conversion.