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How to Export Motion in Photoshop

Published in Photoshop Animation Export 3 mins read

To export motion or animation from your Photoshop project, such as a video timeline or animated GIF, you typically use the Render Video or Export for Web (Legacy) features, depending on the desired output format.

Here's a breakdown of how to export your motion creation in Photoshop:

Exporting as Video (MP4, QuickTime, etc.)

This is the standard method for exporting video timelines or complex animations for playback on various devices or platforms.

  1. Go to the Export Menu: Navigate to File > Export > Render Video...
  2. Configure Render Settings: A dialog box will appear with several options:
    • Name: Give your output file a name.
    • Location: Choose where to save your exported video. As highlighted in the reference, you have the option to specify the export folder. You can either select an existing folder or, by leaving the "Create new subfolder" option unchecked, export it straight to your chosen location, like the desktop. If you check the box, Photoshop will create a new folder within your selected location to place the video file(s).
    • Adobe Media Encoder: This is usually selected by default and offers the most encoding options.
    • Format: Select your desired output format (e.g., H.264 for MP4, QuickTime). H.264 is a common and widely compatible format.
    • Preset: Choose a preset based on your needs (e.g., YouTube 1080p HD, High Quality). You can also customize settings.
    • Range: Specify whether to render the entire timeline or a specific work area.
    • Size: Define the resolution of the output video.
    • Frame Rate: Ensure this matches your project's frame rate.
  3. Render: Click the Render button. Photoshop will process your timeline and create the video file in the specified location.

Exporting as Animated GIF

For simple web animations, you might export as an Animated GIF using the legacy feature.

  1. Go to Export for Web: Navigate to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy)...
  2. Select GIF: In the preset dropdown, choose "GIF 128 Dithered" or another GIF option.
  3. Configure GIF Options:
    • Adjust colors, dither, and lossy settings to optimize file size.
    • Set looping options (Once, Forever, etc.).
  4. Save: Click Save..., choose your save location, and click Save.

Key Export Considerations

When exporting motion from Photoshop, keep these points in mind:

  • File Format: H.264 (MP4) is versatile for video. GIFs are suitable for short, simple, looping web animations without sound.
  • Resolution and Frame Rate: Match these to your intended output or platform requirements.
  • Location: Always double-check your save location. The reference notes the flexibility of choosing your folder and the simple option of exporting directly to the desktop by not creating a subfolder.
  • Adobe Media Encoder: For video exports, Media Encoder provides robust encoding options and allows you to queue multiple renders.

Choosing the correct export method and configuring the settings appropriately ensures your motion project is saved in the desired format and quality.

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