A lightweight, local-first webcam enhancer for Windows 11. IXC Camera takes a normal webcam, applies image correction and optional face-aware effects, and exposes the result as a system camera called IXC Camera. Standard Windows camera apps can then select it like any hardware camera.
Status: v0.10.0 (all 14 build phases done, redesigned control panel; low-end hardware and Zoom/Teams/Discord still to be verified by users). After installing, open IXC Camera from the desktop or Start Menu: it opens straight to the live preview with every feature on its own switch. Processing is CPU-first (SSE2); only digital zoom/crop moves to the GPU, and only when measured faster on your PC. IXC Camera works as a selectable system camera in Media Foundation and DirectShow apps and applies your picture settings (colour, tone, sharpness, mirror, digital zoom), adjusted live from the app. Smooth motion keeps the full frame rate in low light. Optional face tracking (libfacedetection) runs in the background within a CPU budget; built-in effects (Blush Tone, Basic Beauty, Portrait, colour and light looks) use it. Install with
IXC-Camera-Setup-x64.exe(built by the release preset; see docs/installer.md). See CHANGELOG.md, docs/compatibility.md and KNOWN_LIMITATIONS.md.
- Runs on weak PCs first. The main target is dual-core laptops with 2–8 GB RAM and integrated graphics. Features degrade gracefully instead of failing.
- Native. C++, Media Foundation and Direct3D. No Electron, no browser runtime, no OBS required.
- Nothing runs when nothing uses the camera. The processing engine starts only when an app opens IXC Camera, and it releases the physical webcam when that app is done.
- Local only. No account, no cloud processing, no telemetry.
- Honest. It never advertises resolutions or frame rates the webcam can't deliver, and it doesn't claim every app will accept a software camera.
- Windows 11 x64 (build 22000 or newer). The Media Foundation virtual camera API doesn't exist on Windows 10.
- To build: Visual Studio 2022 or Build Tools with Desktop development with C++, the Windows 11 SDK, and C++ CMake tools.
./scripts/build.ps1 -Preset debug -Test # Debug build + unit tests
./scripts/build.ps1 -Preset release -Test # Release build + unit testsDetails are in docs/build.md.
- Architecture
- Build
- Preflight report
- Installer and exit codes
- Performance measurements
- Compatibility
- Face tracking design and benchmark
- Security audit
- Release notes 0.9.0
- Known limitations
- Security policy
MIT. See LICENSE. Third-party components are listed in THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md.
IXC Camera is an independent project and is not affiliated with Snap Inc. or any camera vendor.