RustCam
Free demo
Desktop guide

From the desktop app to OBS.

RustCam Desktop runs on Windows and Mac. You need three things: a licence for the computer, credits, and an API key. Credits pay for live time, per second, only while you're live. You buy them in your RustCam account under Settings → API keys (for example $10 for a set number of credits); any service fee is shown before you pay. Your web wallet isn't used in the desktop app: it shows as Unlimited. Set it up, go live, then bring your AI look into OBS.

Start the stepsWatch the walkthroughDownload the app
Computer
Windows 10/11 or Mac
Licence
One per computer
Credits
Buy in Settings → API keys
API key
Create it in Settings → API keys
Download

RustCam Desktop

Free to download. You'll need a licence to activate it.

WindowsMac (Apple Silicon)Mac (Intel)Buy a licence
Video walkthrough

Watch the desktop walkthrough

Step by step

From download to live.

  1. 01

    Get a licence and install

    Buy a licence (one per computer); your licence key arrives by email. Download the installer for Windows or Mac and run it. The app updates itself; Help → Check for Updates any time.

  2. 02

    Activate the app

    Open RustCam Desktop. Enter the email you bought with and your licence key, then press Activate License.

  3. 03

    Buy credits and create an API key

    Sign in to your RustCam account and open Settings → API keys. Under Top up, choose an amount: each option shows what you pay, the credits you get and about how many minutes of live time that is, plus any service fee and the total. Pay by card or crypto; the credits are added as soon as the payment confirms. Then, under Your API keys, press Create key, give it a name (e.g. Studio PC), choose when it expires (7, 30 or 90 days, or never) and copy it. It starts with rck_live_ and is shown only once.

  4. 04

    Paste your key into the app

    In the studio's Access box (or Settings, Ctrl+, / Cmd+,) paste the key and click away. The top of the studio then shows your credits and live time left, and "Wallet: unlimited". The key stays saved on this computer. One key works on one computer at a time. If a key expires or leaks, delete it in Settings and create a new one: your credits stay on your account. When credits run low, buy more in Settings; your key keeps working.

  5. 05

    Choose camera and look, then Start

    Pick your webcam, choose a mode, add a reference photo and a prompt, then press Start. The activity log shows a quick network check, then connecting (usually 10–20 seconds; a queue place if the service is busy), then “Connected ✓” and “Output stream live ✓”. See “Messages while you connect” below.

  6. 06

    Copy your OBS link

    Every RustCam account has a personal OBS link. Copy it with Copy OBS link (next to Pop out for OBS, above your video) or from Settings → Account → Your OBS link. You only need to add it to OBS once: it shows your AI video every time you go live in the desktop app or on the web. Keep it private; if it leaks, reset it in Settings.

  7. 07

    In OBS, add a Browser source

    Open OBS Studio. Under Sources, click + and choose Browser. Name it “RustCam” and press OK.

  8. 08

    Paste the link

    In the URL box, paste your OBS link. Set Width to 1280 and Height to 720 (for portrait video use 720 and 1280). Press OK. Until you go live it shows “Waiting for RustCam to go live”.

  9. 09

    Go live and fit it

    Press Start in RustCam: after a few seconds your AI video appears in OBS by itself. Right-click the RustCam source → Transform → Fit to screen (Ctrl+F). Next time you go live, it reconnects on its own. If the Browser source stays black in an older OBS, use Pop out for OBS instead and add it as a Window Capture.

  10. 10

    Start the virtual camera

    Press Start Virtual Camera (bottom right). Then, in Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Discord or TikTok LIVE Studio, choose “OBS Virtual Camera” as your camera and keep your normal microphone. Streaming straight from OBS instead? Press Start Streaming. When you finish, press Stop in RustCam.

Paying for live time

Credits pay for live time.

What you buy
Credits, in Settings → API keys. Each option says exactly what you pay and what you get, for example $10 for a set number of credits, and about how many minutes of live time that is.
Fees
If there's a service fee, it's shown as its own line with the total before you pay, and on your receipt. The credits you get don't change.
When you're charged
Only while you're live, per second. When you press Start, credit for the session is set aside; when you stop, anything not used goes straight back to your balance.
Your wallet
Not used in the desktop app. It shows as Unlimited. Credits and wallet money are separate and can't be moved between each other.
Your API key
The key connects the app to your credits. All your keys use the same credits, so buying more never changes your key. Keys can expire; if one expires or leaks, delete it and create a new one.
Running low
The studio shows your credits and live time left, and warns you 5 minutes and 1 minute before a session runs out. Buy more in Settings → API keys and press Start again.
Web or desktop?

What's different.

WebDesktop
Where it runsIn your browser (Chrome, Edge or Safari). Nothing to install.The RustCam Desktop app for Windows 10/11 or Mac.
What you needA free RustCam account.A RustCam account, a desktop licence (one per computer) and an API key.
How you payYour web wallet, in your local currency. Top it up with Add funds.Credits. Buy them in Settings → Billing (or turn on auto top-up), e.g. $10 for a set number of credits. Any service fee is shown before you pay. Credits also pay for RustStudio and RustVoice online.
How time is chargedPer second while you're live, from your wallet.Per second while you're live, from your credits. Credit for a session is set aside when you press Start; what you don't use comes back when you stop.
Your walletUsed for every live second.Not used. It shows as Unlimited in the desktop app.
What you paste inNothing.Your API key (it starts with rck_live_). Create it in Settings → API keys.
Wallet and creditsWallet money can't be turned into credits.Credits can't be moved to the wallet. They're separate.
Try it firstFree demo, no account needed.Try the web demo first.
Best forTrying RustCam, occasional use, any computer.Regular streaming on your own computer, with OBS.
Activity log

Messages while you connect.

After you press Start, the activity log under your video says what's happening. Here's what each message means and what to do.

You seeIt meansWhat to do
Before connectingPaste your RustCam API key in the Access box first.No API key is saved on this computer.Create a key in your RustCam account under Settings → API keys (it starts with rck_live_) and paste it in Settings or the Access box.
Before connectingAPI key OK: N min of live time leftYour key works and shows how much live time your credit buys.Nothing to do.
Before connectingThis key is already live on another device.One key runs on one computer at a time.Stop it on the other computer, or wait two minutes and Start again.
Before connectingNetwork check: good (…ms) / fairYour connection is fine for live video.Nothing to do.
Before connectingNetwork check: weak connection (… ms delay)Your connection is slow or far away. It will still try.Pick Low latency mode, close big downloads or uploads, move closer to the Wi-Fi.
Before connectingNetwork check: your connection may block live videoA firewall, VPN or work/school network may stop the video.Turn off the VPN or switch network (mobile hotspot works well), then Start again.
ConnectingStill connecting… / Almost there…Normal. Starting a live session takes about 10–30 seconds.Wait. Don't press Start again.
ConnectingThe live service is busy: you're number N in the queue…Many people are live right now; you're in line.Wait. It connects automatically when it's your turn.
ConnectingThe live service is full; trying again in N s…No free slot this second; it retries by itself.Wait, or try again in a few minutes.
LiveConnected ✓ … Output stream live ✓You're live. Your transformed video shows on the right.Change the prompt or photo any time; no need to reconnect.
LiveYour upload speed is too low for smooth video…Your upload can't keep up with the camera.Close other uploads, move closer to the Wi-Fi, or pick Low latency.
LiveYour connection has high delay… / is dropping data…The video may lag or freeze for a moment.A cable or a closer router helps; try another network if it keeps happening.
LiveYour computer is struggling…Your computer can't send video fast enough.Close other apps and pick Low latency mode.
EndedThe live session was ended because the content broke the usage rules.The image or prompt wasn't allowed.Use a different reference photo or prompt.
Live5 minutes / 1 minute of live time left in this session.Your credit or this session is about to run out.Top up desktop credit in Settings → API keys; your key keeps working with the new credit.
EndedYour desktop credit is used up.You've used all your desktop credit.Top up in Settings → API keys, then press Start.
Before connectingThis API key has expired.The key reached the expiry date you chose.Create a new key in Settings → API keys and paste it in. Your credit is still there.
Common problems

Quick fixes.

How do I buy credits?

Sign in to your RustCam account and open Settings → API keys. Under Top up, pick an amount: each option shows what you pay, the credits you get and about how many minutes of live time that is. Pay by card or crypto and the credits are added as soon as the payment confirms.

What does the fee mean?

Some purchases include a service fee. It's shown on its own line, with the total you pay, before you pay, and on your receipt. The fee doesn't change the number of credits you get.

How much live time do my credits give?

The studio and Settings → API keys show your credits and about how many minutes they last. You're charged per second while live only; credit set aside when you press Start comes back when you stop.

How do I get an API key?

In Settings → API keys, under Your API keys, press Create key, name it and choose when it expires. Copy it straight away: it's shown only once. All your keys use the same credits, so buying more never changes your key.

It says the key isn't valid or has expired

Copy the whole key again (it starts with rck_live_ and has no spaces). If it expired or you deleted it, create a new one in Settings → API keys; your credit stays on your account.

My key is gone after restarting

Paste it in the studio's Access box and click away; it then stays on this computer until you change it.

The app switched to offline mode

Choose Reconnect when it says the server is back, or restart the app. Update to the latest version (Help → Check for Updates); it no longer drops to offline mode during a session.

It asks me to top up a wallet

Desktop doesn't use the web wallet (it shows as Unlimited): live time comes from your credits. Update the app and reconnect.

It says my credits are used up

Buy more in Settings → API keys, then press Start again. Your key keeps working; there's nothing to change in the app.

The key is already live on another computer

One key works on one computer at a time. Stop it on the other computer, or wait two minutes. For two computers, create a second key: both use the same credits.

Is time used while I'm not live?

No. You only pay while you're live. When you press Start, credit for the session is set aside; anything not used goes back to your credit when you press Stop.

New computer?

A licence works on one computer. Request a transfer from the licence screen or contact support, and we'll move it.

Still stuck? Setup & help checks your camera and connection and lets you send us a report.

Just want to try it?

The web version needs no install: try a free demo in your browser.

Web guideBuy a licence