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OpenCut provides powerful export capabilities that render your timeline to video files you can share, upload, or use in other applications.

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Export basics

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Starting an export

Export your project to a video file:
1

Click Export button

Click the blue “Export” button in the top-right corner of the editor.
2

Configure settings

Choose format, quality, and audio options in the export dialog.
3

Start export

Click “Export” to begin rendering your video.
4

Wait for completion

Watch the progress bar as your video renders. This may take several minutes depending on project length and quality.
5

Download file

When complete, the video file downloads automatically to your default downloads folder.
Source: apps/web/src/components/editor/export-button.tsx:34-144

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Export formats

OpenCut supports two video formats:

MP4 (H.264)

Best for compatibility
  • Most widely supported format
  • Works on all devices and platforms
  • Better compatibility with video editors
  • Slightly larger file size
  • Recommended for most use cases
Use when: Sharing videos, uploading to social media, or importing into other software.

WebM (VP9)

Best for file size
  • More efficient compression
  • Smaller file sizes
  • Open source codec
  • Limited compatibility on older devices
  • Great for web playback
Use when: Optimizing for web delivery or when file size is critical.
Source: apps/web/src/types/export.ts:8

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Quality settings

Choose the quality level that balances file size and visual quality:
QualityBitrateUse caseFile size
LowLowestPreview exports, quick draftsSmallest
MediumModerateGeneral sharing, social mediaBalanced
HighHighRecommended for most projectsLarger
Very HighHighestMaximum quality, archivalLargest
High quality is the default and recommended for most projects. It provides excellent visual quality while keeping file sizes reasonable.
Source: apps/web/src/types/export.ts:1-6

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Quality vs. file size

Understanding the tradeoffs:
  • Higher quality = Better visual fidelity, larger files, longer upload times
  • Lower quality = Faster exports, smaller files, visible compression artifacts
  • Very High is best for archival or when you’ll re-encode later
  • Medium is often sufficient for social media (platforms re-encode anyway)
Source: apps/web/src/services/renderer/scene-exporter.ts:29-36

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Export options

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Frame rate

The export uses your project’s frame rate setting by default:
  • 24 fps - Film look, smaller file size
  • 30 fps - Standard for web video
  • 60 fps - Smooth motion, larger file size
You can override the frame rate during export if needed. Source: apps/web/src/types/export.ts:16

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Audio

Control whether audio is included:
  • Include audio (default) - Exports video with all audio tracks mixed
  • Mute audio - Exports silent video (video only)
If your project has no audio tracks or all audio is muted, the audio toggle has no effect.
Audio export includes:
  • All unmuted audio tracks
  • Audio from video elements (unless muted)
  • Proper volume levels and mixing
  • Synchronized to video frames
Source: apps/web/src/components/editor/export-button.tsx:89-91

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Export process

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Rendering stages

Exports happen in multiple stages:
1

Audio preparation (if enabled)

Creates the audio buffer by mixing all audio sources.Progress: 0-5%
2

Scene building

Constructs the render tree from your timeline.Progress: 5-10%
3

Video encoding

Renders each frame and encodes to video format.Progress: 10-95%
4

Finalizing

Combines video and audio into final file.Progress: 95-100%
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/renderer-manager.ts:89-184

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Progress tracking

Monitor export progress:
  • Progress bar shows percentage complete
  • Current percentage displayed numerically
  • Export runs in the background (don’t close the browser tab)
  • You can cancel anytime by clicking “Cancel”
Source: apps/web/src/components/editor/export-button.tsx:257-277

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Canceling exports

Stop an export in progress:
  1. Click the “Cancel” button during export
  2. The export stops immediately
  3. No file is downloaded
  4. You can start a new export with different settings
Canceled exports don’t create partial files. Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/renderer-manager.ts:149-165

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File naming

Exported files are named automatically:
  • Uses your project name
  • Adds the file extension (.mp4 or .webm)
  • Invalid characters are replaced with hyphens
  • Example: "My Summer Vacation" → My-Summer-Vacation.mp4
Source: apps/web/src/components/editor/export-button.tsx:134

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Snapshot exports

Capture a single frame as an image:
1

Position playhead

Move the playhead to the frame you want to capture.
2

Take snapshot

Use the snapshot feature (camera icon or keyboard shortcut).
3

Download image

The frame is exported as PNG and downloads immediately.
Snapshot features:
  • Always exports at project canvas resolution
  • PNG format for lossless quality
  • Filename includes timecode (e.g., Project-00-01-23-15.png)
  • Perfect for thumbnails or social media posts
Source: apps/web/src/core/managers/renderer-manager.ts:26-87

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Troubleshooting exports

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Export failed

If an export fails:
  1. Check the error message in the export dialog
  2. Click “Copy” to copy the error details
  3. Click “Retry” to try again
  4. Common causes:
    • Browser ran out of memory
    • Missing media files
    • Corrupted project data
Source: apps/web/src/components/editor/export-button.tsx:293-337

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Slow exports

Export speed depends on:
  • Project length - Longer videos take more time
  • Quality setting - Higher quality = slower encoding
  • Computer performance - Faster CPU = faster exports
  • Project complexity - More tracks and effects slow down rendering
  • Format - WebM/VP9 encoding is slower than MP4/H.264
For very long projects, consider exporting overnight or during lunch breaks.

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Large file sizes

If exported files are too large:
  • Try a lower quality setting (High → Medium)
  • Consider WebM format for better compression
  • Reduce project resolution in settings
  • Lower the frame rate if smooth motion isn’t critical

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Missing audio

If exported video has no audio:
  • Check that “Include audio” is enabled
  • Verify audio tracks aren’t muted
  • Ensure video elements with audio aren’t muted
  • Check volume levels (very low volume may seem silent)
Source: apps/web/src/lib/media/audio.ts

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Best practices

Test with low quality first

Export a quick Low quality version to check timing and edits before waiting for a High quality render.

Use High quality for finals

The High quality setting provides excellent results for most use cases without excessive file sizes.

Choose MP4 for compatibility

When in doubt, use MP4 format. It works everywhere and is widely supported.

Don't close browser during export

Keep the browser tab open while exporting. Closing it will cancel the export.

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Export defaults

Default export settings: 
{
  format: "mp4",      // MP4 (H.264)
  quality: "high",    // High quality
  includeAudio: true  // Audio enabled
}
Source: apps/web/src/constants/export-constants.ts:3-7 These defaults provide a good balance of quality, compatibility, and file size for most projects.

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