Adobe After Effects is an excellent software for video post-production. It allows you to create stunning videos with a wide range of effects and graphics. However, when it comes to exporting your project, you might face some challenges. The most common format for sharing and uploading videos is MP4, but unfortunately, After Effects does not directly export to MP4. Instead, it exports to a lossless format that can be quite large in size.
Don’t worry, though, because there’s an easy workaround. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to export your Adobe After Effects project to MP4 format.
Step 1: Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue
Once you’ve finished creating your video project in After Effects, go to Composition > Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue. This will open Adobe Media Encoder if it’s installed on your computer.
Step 2: Choose the Output Format
In the Adobe Media Encoder, you’ll see the settings for your After Effects composition. Click on the Output File, where you choose the location where you want to save the video, and the Format dropdown menu where you need to select H.264, which is essentially MP4.
Step 3: Adjust the Settings
Next, click on the Export Settings button to adjust the settings. Here, you can change the resolution, bitrate, and other parameters as per your needs. Clicking on the Output Name will allow you to set the location and name of your output file.
Step 4: Start the Encoding Process
Finally, when you’ve made all the settings, click on the green Start Queue button on the top right corner of the Media Encoder to start the encoding process.
It might take a while depending on the length and complexity of your After Effects project. Once the process is finished, you’ll have your After Effects video in MP4 format.
Remember
Please note that you need Adobe Media Encoder installed on your computer to follow this tutorial. Adobe Media Encoder is included in the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
Also, keep in mind that converting to MP4 (H.264) might lead to a slight loss in video quality because it’s a lossy format. However, it’s usually not noticeable, and the significantly reduced file size makes it a preferred format for sharing and uploading videos.
Conclusion
Exporting Adobe After Effects projects to MP4 is not a straightforward process due to the software’s design. However, by using Adobe Media Encoder, you can easily export your projects to MP4 format. This tutorial explained the process in a simple and easy-to-follow way. We hope it helps you share your amazing After Effects creations with the world!
