How to Export Timeline in Final Cut Pro?

Exporting your finished video timeline in Final Cut Pro (FCP) is primarily done through the Share function, which allows you to save your project in various formats for different uses.

Understanding Final Cut Pro Export (Sharing)

In Final Cut Pro, the process of exporting is referred to as Sharing. When you Share your project, you are essentially creating a movie file based on your timeline edits. FCP uses Destinations, which are presets that define the export format, codec, resolution, and other settings. Final Cut Pro includes built-in Destinations for common outputs like Master File, Apple Devices, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting Your Timeline

Follow these steps to export your Final Cut Pro timeline:

1. Select Your Project: Ensure the project you want to export is selected in the Browser, or make sure its timeline is active in the Timeline area.
2. Access the Share Function: You need to find the command to initiate the export. As demonstrated in some guides, you'll "go up here to export the file." This typically refers to:
   • Going to the File menu in the top menu bar, then selecting Share.
   • Clicking the Share button located in the top-right corner of the Final Cut Pro interface (it looks like a small box with an arrow pointing upwards).
3. Choose Your Destination: From the Share options, select the Destination that matches your desired output format (e.g., Master File for highest quality, Apple Devices for mobile playback, YouTube for online streaming).
4. Configure Settings (If Needed): Depending on the chosen Destination, a settings window might appear. Here you can adjust resolution, format (e.g., H.264, ProRes), and other options.
5. Initiate Export: Click the Next... or Export button in the settings window.
6. Name Your File and Choose Location: A standard save dialog box will open. Give your exported video a name and select where you want to save it on your computer.
7. Save: Click Save.

Final Cut Pro will then begin processing and exporting your video. You can monitor the progress in the Background Tasks window (accessible from the Window menu or by clicking the progress circle next to the Share button).

Exporting the Whole Project vs. a Portion

By default, Final Cut Pro will export the entire duration of your project timeline. However, similar to the context shown in the reference discussing selecting "anything that is above or below this" before exporting, you can also export only a specific range of your timeline.

To export a specific portion:

1. Set an In point (I) and an Out point (O) in your timeline by positioning the playhead and pressing I and O on your keyboard, or by dragging to select a range.
2. Follow the export steps above (access the Share function, choose Destination, etc.). Final Cut Pro will recognize the selected range and export only that portion.

Using the Share function with the appropriate Destination allows you to easily create video files from your Final Cut Pro projects, whether you need the full timeline or just a specific clip or sequence.