Export File destination in Motion

This destination is used as the basis for four of the destinations in the default set: Export Movie, Export Selection to Movie, Export Audio, and Apple Devices.

Use this destination to export your project or clip as a movie file with video and audio, as a video file (with no audio), or as an audio file (with no video). You can also use this destination to export files for Apple devices, computers, and web hosting.

You can customize the Export File destination by choosing one of several resolutions, depending on the intended playback device.

The Export File destination includes the following settings:

• Format: Sets the mastering format (Video and Audio, Video Only, Audio Only) or publishing formats, including Apple Devices (such as iPhone and iPad), Computer (for playback on Mac and PC), and Web Hosting (such as YouTube or Vimeo). Your choice of format determines the options in the pop-up menus below.

• Video Codec: Sets the codec to use for the exported file. Available choices are based on the source clip or project media format.

• Resolution: Sets the default frame size. If the Motion project is a lower resolution than the setting you choose here, the exported file uses the project resolution. See Edit project properties.

• Color Space: Sets the range of color used in the exported movie.

• Color Channels: Sets which color channels are output—RGB only, RGB with alpha channel (transparency), or alpha channel only.

• Audio Format: When the Format pop-up menu is set to Audio Only, choose an audio format from this pop-up menu. If you chose another option from the Format pop-up menu, this item lists the audio format that will be used for the exported file.

• Duration: Sets whether to export the entire project or a play range set in the Timeline.

• Export selected layer only: When selected, exports a single layer selected in the project. If no layer is selected, or if an object that does not render is selected (such as a rig, a light, or a camera), this option is dimmed.

• Action: Sets what happens when the export is complete. You can choose the following options:

  • Save only: Saves the file to a location you choose.

  • Open with: Opens the exported file in the specified application. The options change based on the selection in the Format pop-up menu. For example, when Format is set to Video and Audio, QuickTime Player is the selected application; when Format is set to Audio Only, Music is the selected application.

    To open the exported file in Compressor, the Compressor app must be installed on your system.

  • Add to TV: Adds the exported file to Home Videos in your Apple TV app library.

    When your export is complete, your shared file appears in the Home Videos category in the Library pane of the Apple TV app in macOS. In the Finder, the file is located in /Users/username/Movies/TV/Media/Home Videos.