diff --git a/examples/offscreen-apng.rs b/examples/offscreen-apng.rs
index 8fc6751..b1e0452 100644
--- a/examples/offscreen-apng.rs
+++ b/examples/offscreen-apng.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ fn ui() -> impl MakeWidget {
 }
 
 fn main() {
-    // The default recorder generated solid, rgb images.
     let mut recorder = ui()
         .build_recorder()
         .size(Size::new(320, 240))
@@ -32,7 +31,5 @@ fn main() {
         .animate_cursor_to(initial_point, Duration::from_millis(250), EaseInOutSine)
         .unwrap();
     animation.wait_for(Duration::from_millis(500)).unwrap();
-    animation
-        .write_to("examples/offscreen-animated.png")
-        .unwrap();
+    animation.write_to("examples/offscreen-apng.png").unwrap();
 }
diff --git a/src/window.rs b/src/window.rs
index 394920a..ee3afa5 100644
--- a/src/window.rs
+++ b/src/window.rs
@@ -4,12 +4,13 @@ use std::cell::RefCell;
 use std::collections::hash_map;
 use std::ffi::OsStr;
 use std::hash::Hash;
+use std::io;
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
 use std::num::TryFromIntError;
 use std::ops::{Deref, DerefMut, Not};
 use std::path::Path;
 use std::string::ToString;
-use std::sync::{Arc, Condvar, Mutex, MutexGuard, OnceLock};
+use std::sync::{mpsc, Arc, Mutex, MutexGuard, OnceLock};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
 use ahash::AHashMap;
@@ -2793,18 +2794,75 @@ where
 }
 
 struct Capture {
+    bytes: u64,
+    bytes_per_row: u32,
     buffer: wgpu::Buffer,
     texture: Texture,
     multisample: Texture,
 }
 
+impl Capture {
+    fn map_into<Format>(
+        &self,
+        buffer: &mut Vec<u8>,
+        device: &wgpu::Device,
+        queue: &wgpu::Queue,
+    ) -> Result<(), wgpu::BufferAsyncError>
+    where
+        Format: CaptureFormat,
+    {
+        let mut encoder = device.create_command_encoder(&wgpu::CommandEncoderDescriptor::default());
+        self.texture.copy_to_buffer(
+            wgpu::ImageCopyBuffer {
+                buffer: &self.buffer,
+                layout: wgpu::ImageDataLayout {
+                    offset: 0,
+                    bytes_per_row: Some(self.bytes_per_row),
+                    rows_per_image: None,
+                },
+            },
+            &mut encoder,
+        );
+        queue.submit([encoder.finish()]);
+
+        let map_result = Arc::new(Mutex::new(None));
+        let slice = self.buffer.slice(0..self.bytes);
+
+        slice.map_async(wgpu::MapMode::Read, {
+            let map_result = map_result.clone();
+            move |result| {
+                *map_result.lock().assert("thread panicked") = Some(result);
+            }
+        });
+
+        buffer.clear();
+        buffer.reserve(self.bytes.cast());
+
+        loop {
+            device.poll(wgpu::Maintain::Poll);
+            let mut result = map_result.lock().assert("thread panicked");
+            if let Some(result) = result.take() {
+                result?;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        buffer.extend_from_slice(&slice.get_mapped_range());
+        self.buffer.unmap();
+
+        Format::convert_rgba(buffer, self.texture.size().width.get(), self.bytes_per_row);
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
 /// A recorder of a [`VirtualWindow`].
 pub struct VirtualRecorder<Format = Rgb8> {
     /// The virtual window being recorded.
     pub window: VirtualWindow,
-    device: wgpu::Device,
-    queue: wgpu::Queue,
-    capture: Option<Capture>,
+    device: Arc<wgpu::Device>,
+    queue: Arc<wgpu::Queue>,
+    capture: Option<Box<Capture>>,
     data: Vec<u8>,
     cursor: Dynamic<Point<Px>>,
     cursor_graphic: Drawing,
@@ -2848,16 +2906,18 @@ where
             &queue,
         );
 
-        Ok(Self {
+        let mut recorder = Self {
             window,
-            device,
-            queue,
+            device: Arc::new(device),
+            queue: Arc::new(queue),
             cursor: Dynamic::default(),
             cursor_graphic: Drawing::default(),
             capture: None,
             data: Vec::new(),
             format: PhantomData,
-        })
+        };
+        recorder.refresh()?;
+        Ok(recorder)
     }
 
     /// Returns the tightly-packed captured bytes.
@@ -2867,7 +2927,7 @@ where
         &self.data
     }
 
-    fn recreate_buffers_if_needed(&mut self, size: Size<UPx>, bytes: u64) {
+    fn recreate_buffers_if_needed(&mut self, size: Size<UPx>, bytes: u64, bytes_per_row: u32) {
         if self
             .capture
             .as_ref()
@@ -2896,20 +2956,21 @@ where
                 usage: wgpu::BufferUsages::COPY_DST | wgpu::BufferUsages::MAP_READ,
                 mapped_at_creation: false,
             });
-            self.capture = Some(Capture {
+            self.capture = Some(Box::new(Capture {
+                bytes,
+                bytes_per_row,
                 buffer,
                 texture,
                 multisample,
-            });
+            }));
         }
     }
 
-    /// Redraws the contents.
-    pub fn refresh(&mut self) -> Result<(), wgpu::BufferAsyncError> {
+    fn redraw(&mut self) {
         let render_size = self.window.kludgine.size().ceil();
         let bytes_per_row = copy_buffer_aligned_bytes_per_row(render_size.width.get() * 4);
         let size = u64::from(bytes_per_row) * u64::from(render_size.height.get());
-        self.recreate_buffers_if_needed(render_size, size);
+        self.recreate_buffers_if_needed(render_size, size, bytes_per_row);
 
         let capture = self.capture.as_ref().assert("always initialized above");
 
@@ -2942,69 +3003,15 @@ where
             &self.queue,
             Some(&self.cursor_graphic),
         );
+    }
 
-        let mut encoder = self
-            .device
-            .create_command_encoder(&wgpu::CommandEncoderDescriptor::default());
-        capture.texture.copy_to_buffer(
-            wgpu::ImageCopyBuffer {
-                buffer: &capture.buffer,
-                layout: wgpu::ImageDataLayout {
-                    offset: 0,
-                    bytes_per_row: Some(bytes_per_row),
-                    rows_per_image: None,
-                },
-            },
-            &mut encoder,
-        );
-        self.queue.submit([encoder.finish()]);
+    /// Redraws the contents.
+    pub fn refresh(&mut self) -> Result<(), wgpu::BufferAsyncError> {
+        self.redraw();
 
-        let map_result = Arc::new(Mutex::new(None));
-        let condvar = Arc::new(Condvar::new());
-        let slice = capture.buffer.slice(0..size);
+        let capture = self.capture.as_ref().assert("always initialized above");
 
-        std::thread::scope(|scope| {
-            scope.spawn({
-                let map_result = map_result.clone();
-                let condvar = condvar.clone();
-                move || {
-                    slice.map_async(wgpu::MapMode::Read, {
-                        move |result| {
-                            *map_result.lock().assert("thread panicked") = Some(result);
-                            condvar.notify_one();
-                        }
-                    });
-                }
-            });
-
-            // Now that we've queued up the data mapping thread, let's make sure
-            // our vec is allocated. Since an allocation can take a moment, this
-            // is the perfect to do it.
-            self.data.clear();
-            self.data.reserve(size.cast());
-
-            // Wait for the buffer to have been mapped.
-            loop {
-                self.device.poll(wgpu::Maintain::Poll);
-
-                let mut result = map_result.lock().assert("thread panicked");
-                if let Some(result) = result.take() {
-                    result?;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                let _guard = condvar
-                    .wait_timeout(result, Duration::from_millis(1))
-                    .assert("thread panicked");
-            }
-
-            Ok(())
-        })?;
-
-        self.data.extend_from_slice(&slice.get_mapped_range());
-        capture.buffer.unmap();
-
-        Format::convert_rgba(&mut self.data, render_size.width.get(), bytes_per_row);
+        capture.map_into::<Format>(&mut self.data, &self.device, &self.queue)?;
 
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -3017,9 +3024,9 @@ where
     /// Begins recording an animated png.
     pub fn record_animated_png(&mut self, target_fps: u8) -> AnimationRecorder<'_, Format> {
         AnimationRecorder {
-            recorder: self,
             target_fps,
-            frames: Vec::new(),
+            assembler: FrameAssembler::spawn::<Format>(self.device.clone(), self.queue.clone()),
+            recorder: self,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -3033,7 +3040,7 @@ fn copy_buffer_aligned_bytes_per_row(width: u32) -> u32 {
 pub struct AnimationRecorder<'a, Format> {
     recorder: &'a mut VirtualRecorder<Format>,
     target_fps: u8,
-    frames: Vec<Frame>,
+    assembler: FrameAssembler,
 }
 
 impl<Format> AnimationRecorder<'_, Format>
@@ -3081,19 +3088,17 @@ where
             };
 
             if final_frame || next_frame == now {
+                // Try to reuse an existing capture instead of forcing an
+                // allocation.
+                if let Ok(capture) = self.assembler.resuable_captures.try_recv() {
+                    self.recorder.capture = Some(capture);
+                }
                 let elapsed = now.saturating_duration_since(last_frame);
                 last_frame = now;
-                self.recorder.refresh()?;
-                match self.frames.last_mut() {
-                    Some(frame) if frame.data == self.recorder.bytes() => {
-                        frame.duration += elapsed;
-                    }
-                    _ => {
-                        self.frames.push(Frame {
-                            data: self.recorder.bytes().to_vec(),
-                            duration: elapsed,
-                        });
-                    }
+                self.recorder.redraw();
+                let capture = self.recorder.capture.take().assert("always present");
+                if self.assembler.sender.send((capture, elapsed)).is_err() {
+                    break;
                 }
             }
 
@@ -3109,7 +3114,8 @@ where
     }
 
     /// Encodes the currently recorded frames into a new file at `path`.
-    pub fn write_to(&self, path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Result<(), png::EncodingError> {
+    pub fn write_to(self, path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Result<(), VirtualRecorderError> {
+        let frames = self.assembler.finish()?;
         let mut file = std::fs::OpenOptions::new()
             .create(true)
             .truncate(true)
@@ -3122,17 +3128,10 @@ where
         );
         encoder.set_color(png::ColorType::Rgb);
         encoder.set_adaptive_filter(png::AdaptiveFilterType::Adaptive);
-        encoder.set_animated(
-            u32::try_from(self.frames.len()).assert("too many frames"),
-            0,
-        )?;
+        encoder.set_animated(u32::try_from(frames.len()).assert("too many frames"), 0)?;
         encoder.set_compression(png::Compression::Best);
 
-        let mut current_frame_delay = self
-            .frames
-            .first()
-            .assert("always at least one frame")
-            .duration;
+        let mut current_frame_delay = frames.first().assert("always at least one frame").duration;
         encoder.set_frame_delay(
             current_frame_delay
                 .as_millis()
@@ -3141,7 +3140,7 @@ where
             1_000,
         )?;
         let mut writer = encoder.write_header()?;
-        for frame in &self.frames {
+        for frame in &frames {
             if current_frame_delay != frame.duration {
                 current_frame_delay = frame.duration;
                 writer.set_frame_delay(
@@ -3181,6 +3180,14 @@ pub enum VirtualRecorderError {
     TooLarge,
     /// An error occurred trying to read a buffer.
     MapBuffer(wgpu::BufferAsyncError),
+    /// An error occurred encoding a png image.
+    PngEncode(png::EncodingError),
+}
+
+impl From<png::EncodingError> for VirtualRecorderError {
+    fn from(value: png::EncodingError) -> Self {
+        Self::PngEncode(value)
+    }
 }
 
 impl From<wgpu::RequestDeviceError> for VirtualRecorderError {
@@ -3201,6 +3208,12 @@ impl From<TryFromIntError> for VirtualRecorderError {
     }
 }
 
+impl From<io::Error> for VirtualRecorderError {
+    fn from(value: io::Error) -> Self {
+        Self::PngEncode(value.into())
+    }
+}
+
 /// A unique identifier of an input device.
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub enum DeviceId {
@@ -3215,3 +3228,74 @@ impl From<winit::event::DeviceId> for DeviceId {
         Self::Winit(value)
     }
 }
+
+struct FrameAssembler {
+    sender: mpsc::SyncSender<(Box<Capture>, Duration)>,
+    result: mpsc::Receiver<Result<Vec<Frame>, VirtualRecorderError>>,
+    resuable_captures: mpsc::Receiver<Box<Capture>>,
+}
+
+impl FrameAssembler {
+    fn spawn<Format>(device: Arc<wgpu::Device>, queue: Arc<wgpu::Queue>) -> Self
+    where
+        Format: CaptureFormat,
+    {
+        let (frame_sender, frame_receiver) = mpsc::sync_channel(1000);
+        let (finished_frame_sender, finished_frame_receiver) = mpsc::sync_channel(600);
+        let (result_sender, result_receiver) = mpsc::sync_channel(1);
+
+        std::thread::spawn(move || {
+            Self::assembler_thread::<Format>(
+                &frame_receiver,
+                &result_sender,
+                &finished_frame_sender,
+                &device,
+                &queue,
+            );
+        });
+
+        Self {
+            sender: frame_sender,
+            result: result_receiver,
+            resuable_captures: finished_frame_receiver,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn finish(self) -> Result<Vec<Frame>, VirtualRecorderError> {
+        drop(self.sender);
+        self.result.recv().assert("thread panicked")
+    }
+
+    fn assembler_thread<Format>(
+        frames: &mpsc::Receiver<(Box<Capture>, Duration)>,
+        result: &mpsc::SyncSender<Result<Vec<Frame>, VirtualRecorderError>>,
+        reusable: &mpsc::SyncSender<Box<Capture>>,
+        device: &wgpu::Device,
+        queue: &wgpu::Queue,
+    ) where
+        Format: CaptureFormat,
+    {
+        let mut assembled = Vec::<Frame>::new();
+        let mut buffer = Vec::new();
+        while let Ok((capture, elapsed)) = frames.recv() {
+            if let Err(err) = capture.map_into::<Format>(&mut buffer, device, queue) {
+                let _result = result.send(Err(err.into()));
+                return;
+            }
+            match assembled.last_mut() {
+                Some(frame) if frame.data == buffer => {
+                    frame.duration += elapsed;
+                }
+                _ => {
+                    assembled.push(Frame {
+                        data: std::mem::take(&mut buffer),
+                        duration: elapsed,
+                    });
+                }
+            }
+            let _result = reusable.try_send(capture);
+        }
+
+        let _result = result.send(Ok(assembled));
+    }
+}