How to EXPORT VIDEO in After Effects
Education
Introduction
Once you finish working on your project in After Effects, exporting it as a video is the next step. By default, exporting will create an entire timeline video, but you can also select a specific part by setting in and out points. Here’s how to do it:
Setting In and Out Points
Locate the Time Indicator: Move the Time Indicator to the point in your timeline where you want to set the in point (the beginning of the segment you want to export).
Set the In Point: Press B on your keyboard; this marks the in point.
Move to the Out Point: Next, navigate to where you want to establish the out point. For example, you might want to go 15 frames past the end of your animation.
Set the Out Point: Press N on the keyboard; this will mark the out point. Now, you've selected a specific segment of your timeline for export.
Exporting Your Video
Now that you have your desired section marked, follow these steps for exporting:
Open the Export Menu: Go to the top of the interface and click on File > Export. Here, you can choose either Adobe Media Encoder or the After Effects Render Queue.
Select Render Queue: With recent updates, After Effects allows exporting in MP4 format directly through the renderer. Choose the Render Queue.
Best Settings: Click on Best Settings and ensure the quality settings are set to best. Click OK to confirm.
Output Module Settings: In the Output Module, click on the word next to the format you want to change.
Set Format to H.264: This will be your MP4 format.
Video Output Options: Click on Format Options. If hardware encoding is available, ensure to select it for faster rendering times.
Variable Bit Rate: Select VBR (Variable Bit Rate) and set a target bit rate. Generally, a higher bit rate results in better quality, but also larger file sizes. If your video contains a lot of movement, consider increasing the bit rate. Conversely, if there’s minimal action, a lower bit rate may be sufficient.
Confirm Settings: Click OK for the format options and OK again to proceed.
Choose Output Location: In the Output To section, select your desired output folder and click Save.
Render Your Video: Once all settings are confirmed, click Render. After rendering is complete, navigate to the folder you specified to find your newly exported video.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to efficiently export your projects from After Effects in high-quality MP4 format.
Keywords
exporting, After Effects, video project, in and out points, Render Queue, MP4, H.264, settings, bit rate, output location
FAQ
1. How do I set in and out points for exporting a video in After Effects?
To set in and out points, move the time indicator to the desired start point and press B, then move to the end point and press N.
2. Can I export a specific part of my timeline in After Effects?
Yes, by setting in and out points, you can select a specific segment of your timeline to export.
3. What format does After Effects use to export videos?
You can export videos in MP4 format by selecting H.264 in the output module.
4. How do I ensure the best quality while exporting?
In the Best Settings option, set the quality to best, and consider using a higher bit rate based on the complexity of your video.
5. Is hardware encoding available for faster rendering in After Effects?
Yes, if hardware encoding is supported by your system, you can enable it in the export settings for quicker render times.