Changing output module settings

An output module includes options for the specific video and audio output format to which you are rendering the movie, as well as video compression options. The Render Queue window shows the current settings for an output module.

Change output module settings from the Render Queue window by clicking the underlined output module template name or by choosing a template from the Output Module pop-up menu. Several templates are provided, including the Lossless template for creating movies for transfer to video or film.

Note: Before rendering, check the Audio Output settings in the Output Module Settings dialog box to ensure that they are correct. If your project includes audio, be sure that Audio Output is selected. If your project does not include audio, do not select Audio Output so that the size of the rendered file will not increase needlessly.

You can specify the following settings in the Output Module Settings dialog box:

Format

Specifies the format for the output file or sequence of files. File formats include QuickTime, Video for Windows, and file types available from plug-in file format modules.

Embed

Specifies whether to include information in the output file that links to the source project in After Effects. When you open the output file in another application such as Adobe Premiere, you can use the Edit Original command to edit the source project in After Effects. Selecting Project Link creates a link between the output file and the source project. Selecting Project Link and Copy creates a link and adds an embedded copy of the linked project to the output file; if the project is missing or updated when you choose Edit Original in another application, you can choose whether to open the source project or the saved copy of the project.

Post-Render Action

Specifies an action for After Effects to perform after the composition is rendered. See About Post-Render Action options.

Format Options

Opens a dialog box with format-specific information. For example, if QuickTime is your format, Format Options opens a QuickTime Compression dialog box. (See Choosing compression options.)

Starting #

Specifies the number for the starting frame of a sequence. For example, if this option is set to 38, After Effects names the first frame filename_00038.tga. The Use Comp Frame Number option adds the starting frame number in the work area to the starting frame of the sequence.

Channels

Specifies the output channels contained in the rendered movie. After Effects creates a movie with an alpha channel if you choose RGB+Alpha, implying a depth of Millions of Colors+.

Note: All files created with a color depth of Millions of Colors+ or Trillions of Colors+ have labeled alpha channels; information describing the alpha channel is stored in the file. Therefore, you do not have to specify an alpha interpretation each time you import an item created in After Effects.

Depth

Specifies the color depth of the rendered movie. Choose from color or grayscale options, and note that certain formats may limit depth and color settings.

Color

Specifies how colors are created with the alpha channel. Choose from either Premultiplied (Matted) or Straight (Unmatted). (See "Importing footage containing an alpha channel" on page 58.)

Stretch

Specifies the size of your rendered movie. Select Lock Aspect To if you want to retain the existing frame aspect ratio when stretching the frame size. Select Low Stretch Quality when rendering tests, and select High Stretch Quality when rendering a final movie.

Crop

Used to select or add pixels to the edges of the rendered movie. You can specify the number of pixels to be added or subtracted from the top, left, bottom, and right sides of the movie. Type positive values to crop, and type negative values to add pixels. Select Region of Interest to render only the region of interest selected in the composition or layer window.

Note: By adding one pixel to the top of a rendered movie with field rendering, you can change the field-rendering order. (See Making a movie smaller than the rendered composition.)

Audio Output

Specifies the sample rate, sample depth (8 Bit or 16 Bit), and playback format (Mono or Stereo). Choose a sample rate that corresponds to the capability of the output format. Choose an 8-bit sample depth for playback on the computer, and a 16-bit sample depth for compact disc and digital audio playback or for hardware that supports 16-bit playback.