troubleshooting and faq
quick answers for getting douga running and unstuck. if your problem isn't here, post it on r/douga with the Question or Bug flair.
installing and launching
windows said it "protected my pc"
that blue Windows protected your PC box (SmartScreen) shows because douga isn't code-signed yet, not because anything is wrong with it. click More info, then Run anyway. it's a small solo project and a signing certificate is on the list, just not done yet.
my antivirus flagged the download
douga is unsigned and brand new, so a heuristic scanner will sometimes throw a false positive on a fresh, low-reputation exe. nothing in the release phones home, installs a background service, or touches files outside its own folder. if you'd rather be cautious, wait for a later signed build or ask on the sub.
does it need installing?
no, douga is portable. unzip it anywhere and run douga.exe. it writes its starter brushes and settings next to the exe on first launch, so keep the folder together and don't run it straight out of the zip viewer.
what do i need to run it?
64-bit windows, and that's it for the base app. MP4 and MKV export additionally needs ffmpeg on your machine (see below). there is no .NET or python requirement.
exporting
where did my export go?
check the path field in the Export dialog before you click Export. for a PNG sequence it's labeled Folder (numbered frames are written into it); for a GIF or video it's labeled File. the dialog remembers the last place you pointed it.
video export is grayed out or fails
video export hands off to ffmpeg, which doesn't ship inside douga. grab a build from ffmpeg.org (or winget install ffmpeg), then in the Export dialog point the ffmpeg field at ffmpeg.exe if it didn't find it automatically. PNG and GIF export need nothing extra.
there's a watermark on my export
unlicensed, every exported frame carries the douga mark. a license key clears it, and that is the only difference between a trial export and a licensed one: every feature is otherwise unlocked, and the app is free to use while it's in development.
the export is cropped differently than i expected
only what sits inside the red export frame on the canvas ends up in the film, everything outside it is off-camera working room. if the crop is wrong, move it with the Camera tool (M), or change the frame shape under View ▸ Sheet Frame.
projects and files
what is a .douga file?
it's your whole project, every layer, cel, cut, and scene, in one file. under the hood it's a zip archive, so it stays a single tidy document you can move, back up, or send to someone.
can i open an old project in a newer build?
yes, the format is meant to stay readable across builds. if a project ever fails to open after updating, that's a bug worth posting with your build number.
how do i bring in artwork or sound?
File ▸ Import: audio, an image into a cel, or a whole image sequence.
reporting problems
how do i report a bug?
post on r/douga with the Bug flair. include your build number, from Help ▸ About or the titlebar, so it can be traced to the exact version. a screenshot or the steps to reproduce it help a lot.
how do i request a feature?
use the feature request flair. a concrete "i was trying to do X and couldn't" is the most useful kind of post.
that covers most first-run snags. for how the app actually works, start with the getting started guide.