You've put in the hard work, now it's time to export your screencast and share it with the world. This guide will help you export your video from Final Cut Pro using the ideal settings for quality and efficiency.
Before exporting, ensure your project is highlighted and everything looks perfect in your Final Cut Pro timeline. To begin exporting, navigate to the right side to find the export, or "share" window. Final Cut Pro offers several built-in options for resolution, including 720, 1080, or 4K, typically for Apple devices. However, for platforms like Vimeo or YouTube, you’ll want an MP4 file rather than the default M4V.
Export File Format: Select the first option, "Export File - Default," which opens the export window. Confirm everything is good in your edited project.
Settings Adjustment: Choose video and audio in the settings tab, and you have the option to export only video or only audio. When exporting both, an Apple ProRes 422 video codec is frequently used, but for final output, H.264 is preferable. Change the format to "Computer" under the publishing settings to achieve H.264.
Resolution and Codec: Adjust the resolution to 1920x1080 or 3840x2160 for 4K, ensuring it's in Rec. 709. Opt for a single pass faster encoding - it's efficient and offers satisfactory results.
With settings configured, the file should now be an MP4 with a manageable size. Save the export to a relevant folder, such as the one created during your organization phase.
Final Cut Pro’s advantage is the ability to continue working on projects while exporting, thanks to its background tasks feature. Monitor exporting progress in the background tasks window, which displays current jobs and rendering information.
Once exporting is done, review your final cut to catch any last-minute issues undetected during editing. Common issues may include audio glitches or transition errors. Always conduct a quality check before sending the project to a client or uploading it online.
Consider naming exported files with version numbers (e.g., V1, V2) when making multiple revisions. This practice helps track changes and manage versions efficiently.
With your screencast exported, you’ve achieved a significant milestone. In the next lesson, we'll delve into managing revisions and updates as you refine your screencasting skills.