Here's the EASIEST way to export a video composition to an MP4 file inside of Adobe After Effects. The process is simple and should only take around 2 minutes. Once completed, you'll have a HD video in MP4 format which is readable by any video player. Whichever method you choose, exporting your After Effects project as an MP4 file is easy and only takes a few minutes (render duration depends on video resolution, size, complexity and a few other factors).
There are a few different ways to export an After Effects project as an MP4 file. One way is to use the built-in Render Queue tool. To do this, go to Composition > Add to Render Queue. In the Output Module settings, choose "MP4" under Format and click OK. You can then choose a suitable Preset to output your video however you like. Once you're happy with the settings, click Render. For a more detailed procedure, see the first export method below.
Method 1 - Through Adobe After Effects
When you've finished adding effects + transitions and editing your composition in After Effects, you'll want to export it so you can share it with others. Luckily, exporting a composition in After Effects is relatively simple. First, you'll need to select the composition in the Project panel. Then, go to File > Export > Add to Render Queue. In the Render Queue panel, you'll see a variety of different options that you can adjust to suit your needs. For example, you can choose the output format, resolution, and frame rate. Once you've made your selection, click on the Render button and your composition will be exported.
Method 2 - Through Adobe Media Encoder
Another way to export an After Effects project as an MP4 file is to use the Adobe Media Encoder. To do this, go to File > Export > Adobe Media Encoder. In the Export Settings dialog box, select H264 under Format and choose a suitable Preset. Once you're happy with the settings, click Export.
Tips & Tricks For Exporting to MP4 From The Experts
Here are some pro tips and tricks for working with After Effects to make your workflow faster, more efficient, and more creative:
1. Use Proxies for Faster Previews
- When working with high-resolution files, After Effects can slow down. You can speed up your previews by using proxies, which are lower-resolution versions of your footage.
- To set up proxies, right-click on the footage in your project panel, choose Interpret Footage > Main, and select the Use Proxies option.
2. Precompose for Better Organization
- To keep your timeline organized and to avoid clutter, use the Precompose feature (Layer > Precompose) to group layers. This helps manage complex animations and makes your project more efficient.
3. Use Adjustment Layers for Global Effects
- Apply effects to multiple layers at once by using an Adjustment Layer. Create a new layer (Layer > New > Adjustment Layer) and apply effects like color correction, blur, or exposure adjustments to the entire composition.
4. Master Keyboard Shortcuts
- Learning keyboard shortcuts speeds up your workflow dramatically. For example:
- Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) / Command+Shift+C (Mac): Precompose selected layers.
- Spacebar: Start/stop preview playback.
- Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S (Windows) / Command+Option+Shift+S (Mac): Save As.
- B and N: Set the beginning and end of your work area.
5. Time Stretching for Speed Adjustments
- If you want to adjust the speed of a clip without affecting the pitch or quality, right-click on the layer, select Time > Time Stretch, and adjust the percentage for slow motion or fast motion.
6. Use the Graph Editor for Precise Animation Curves
- Fine-tune your animations using the Graph Editor (accessible by clicking the graph icon in the timeline). It allows you to manipulate the speed and ease of your keyframe animations for more fluid motion.
7. Use the Puppet Tool for Organic Animation
- The Puppet Tool (found in the toolbar) allows you to animate complex organic movements, such as bending arms or facial expressions. Use it for character animation, fabrics, or any element that needs to move fluidly.
8. Customizable Workspaces
- Save time by customizing your workspace for specific tasks. Go to Window > Workspace, select New Workspace, and arrange panels to suit your editing style. You can even save different workspaces for animation, compositing, or color grading.
9. Track Motion for Easy Object Tracking
- Use Motion Tracking to attach elements to moving objects in your footage. In the Tracker Panel, select the Track Motion option, choose the type of track (position, scale, rotation), and After Effects will automatically follow the movement.
10. Render Multiple Outputs Simultaneously
- If you need to render several versions of your project (for different formats, resolutions, or bitrates), use Adobe Media Encoder to queue multiple export tasks at once, allowing for efficient batch rendering.
11. Effect Control Search
- Use the Search Box in the Effect Controls panel to quickly find the effect you need, instead of scrolling through a long list of effects.
12. Animate Properties with Expressions
- For more advanced animations, you can use expressions (simple code) to control properties like position, rotation, and opacity. For example, to make a layer oscillate, you can add the expression
sin(time*frequency)*amplitude.
13. Use the Roto Brush Tool for Quick Masking
- The Roto Brush Tool allows you to easily separate subjects from their background. By painting over the subject, After Effects will automatically create a mask that follows the subject’s movement frame by frame.
14. Save Custom Presets
- If you create a specific effect or animation that you often use, you can save it as a custom preset (Animation > Save Animation Preset). This allows you to quickly apply your favorite effects and settings to new projects.
15. Use Color Grading with Lumetri Color
- After Effects integrates with Lumetri Color, offering advanced color grading tools similar to those in Premiere Pro. Use it to fine-tune color balance, exposure, and even create cinematic looks for your footage.
16. Utilize Auto-Save for Peace of Mind
- Enable Auto-Save under Preferences > Auto-Save to automatically back up your project every few minutes. This ensures that you don’t lose your work in case of a crash.
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