How to Export Videos in Adobe After Effects | Best Settings & Formats

Introduction

Learn How to Export Videos in Adobe After Effects Like a Pro! 🎬 Whether you're creating high-quality animations, VFX, or motion graphics, knowing the best export settings is crucial for a smooth workflow.

Exporting videos in Adobe After Effects is an essential step in sharing your final project. Whether you're creating motion graphics, VFX, or animations, choosing the right export settings ensures the best quality while keeping file sizes manageable.

In this guide, we’ll cover: 

✅ How to export videos in After Effects 

✅ The best formats and settings for different platforms 

✅ Tips for reducing file size without losing quality

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How to Export a Video in Adobe After Effects

Exporting videos in After Effects is done through the Render Queue or Adobe Media Encoder.

Method 1: Using the Render Queue

1. Add to Render Queue

   • Go to Composition → Add to Render Queue
   • This will open the Render Queue panel

2. Choose Render Settings

   • Click on Best Settings and adjust:
     • Quality: Best
     • Resolution: Full (or lower for smaller file sizes)
     • Frame Rate: Matches your composition

3. Select Output Module

   • Click on Lossless and choose a format:
     • QuickTime (.mov) for high-quality exports
     • AVI (.avi) for uncompressed video
     • PNG Sequence for image sequences

4. Set Output Destination

   • Click on the Output To field and select a save location

5. Render the Video

   • Click Render to export your video

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Method 2: Using Adobe Media Encoder (Recommended)

Adobe Media Encoder offers more export formats and better compression options.

1. Send to Media Encoder

   • Go to Composition → Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
   • This will open Adobe Media Encoder

2. Choose Export Format

   • Click on the format dropdown and select H.264 (MP4) for web-friendly exports
   • Other formats include:
     • MOV for high-quality videos
     • GIF for animated clips
     • FLV for Flash videos

3. Adjust Output Settings

   • Click on Preset and choose:
     • Match Source - High Bitrate for best quality
     • YouTube 1080p Full HD for online videos
     • Custom Settings for specific needs

4. Select Save Location

   • Choose the destination folder for your exported file

5. Start the Export

   • Click the Green Play Button to start rendering

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Best Export Settings for Different Platforms

Different platforms have different requirements for video exports. Here are the best settings:

YouTube & Vimeo

• Format: H.264 (MP4)
• Resolution: 1920x1080 (Full HD)
• Frame Rate: 30fps or 60fps
• Bitrate: 10-15 Mbps

Instagram & Facebook

• Format: H.264 (MP4)
• Resolution: 1080x1080 (Square) or 1080x1920 (Vertical)
• Frame Rate: 30fps
• Bitrate: 5-10 Mbps

High-Quality Archive

• Format: QuickTime (ProRes or Animation Codec)
• Resolution: Full HD or 4K
• Frame Rate: Original Frame Rate
• Bitrate: High (Uncompressed or Lossless)

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Tips for Reducing File Size Without Losing Quality

✅ Use H.264 Codec – It provides great quality with smaller file sizes. 

✅ Lower Bitrate When Necessary – High bitrates increase file size but may not always improve quality. 

✅ Reduce Resolution – If 4K is unnecessary, export in 1080p or 720p. 

✅ Optimize Audio Settings – Use AAC format with 192kbps bitrate. 

✅ Use Adobe Media Encoder – It has better compression algorithms.

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Conclusion

Exporting videos in Adobe After Effects is easy when you know the right settings. Whether you’re exporting for YouTube, Instagram, or professional use, choosing the correct format and compression ensures high-quality results.

🎬 Start exporting with the best settings today! 🚀