Overview
After creating your masterpiece in VideoDraft, the final step is exporting your video in the right format for your intended platform. This guide covers everything you need to know about exporting, formatting, and optimizing your videos.Export functionality is available on all paid plans. The free Starter plan allows preview only.
Export Process
1
Final Review
Before exporting:
- Watch the full video
- Check all transitions
- Verify audio sync
- Review text/graphics
- Confirm aspect ratio
2
Select Export Settings
Choose appropriate:
- Resolution (720p/1080p/4K)
- Format (MP4/MOV)
- Quality level
- Frame rate
- Audio settings
3
Process Export
- Click “Export Video”
- Wait for processing
- Processing time varies by length
- Don’t close browser
4
Download
- Click download link
- Save to desired location
- Verify file plays correctly
- Back up if needed
Platform-Specific Settings
YouTube
Recommended Settings:
- Resolution: 1080p or 4K
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Frame Rate: 30fps or 60fps
- Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps (1080p)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Include 2 seconds padding at start/end
- Leave space for YouTube UI elements
- Export at highest quality possible
- YouTube will compress further
- Feed Posts
- Reels
- Stories
Square (1:1)
- Resolution: 1080x1080
- Duration: Up to 60 seconds
- Format: MP4
- Frame Rate: 30fps
- Bitrate: 5-10 Mbps
TikTok
Requirements:- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Resolution: 1080x1920
- Duration: Up to 10 minutes
- Format: MP4 or MOV
- Frame Rate: 30fps
- File Size: Up to 287.6MB
- Export at highest quality
- Keep file under 250MB
- Ensure good audio quality
- Test on mobile first
- Aspect Ratio: 1:2.4 to 2.4:1
- Resolution: 1920x1080 recommended
- Duration: 3 seconds to 10 minutes
- Format: MP4
- File Size: Up to 5GB
- Frame Rate: 30fps
- Use subtitles (auto-play muted)
- Square (1:1) performs well
- Keep under 2 minutes
- Professional quality essential
Twitter/X
Video Specs:- Resolution: 1920x1080 max
- Duration: Up to 2:20
- Format: MP4 or MOV
- File Size: Up to 512MB
- Frame Rate: 30fps or 60fps
- First 3 seconds crucial
- Include captions
- Test different lengths
- Monitor compression
Resolution Guidelines
Understanding Resolution
720p (HD)
720p (HD)
1280x720 pixels
- Good for social media
- Smaller file sizes
- Faster uploads
- Mobile-friendly
- Quick social posts
- Limited bandwidth
- Mobile-first content
1080p (Full HD)
1080p (Full HD)
1920x1080 pixels
- Standard for most platforms
- Excellent quality
- Reasonable file sizes
- Universal compatibility
- YouTube videos
- Professional content
- Website embedding
- Default choice
4K (Ultra HD)
4K (Ultra HD)
3840x2160 pixels
- Maximum quality
- Large file sizes
- Longer processing
- Future-proof
- Premium content
- Large displays
- Archival purposes
- Client deliverables
File Size Estimates
| Resolution | 1 Minute | 5 Minutes | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p | ~60MB | ~300MB | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p | ~90MB | ~450MB | 12 Mbps |
| 4K | ~350MB | ~1.75GB | 45 Mbps |
Compression & Quality
Balancing Quality vs Size
- Maximum Quality
- Balanced
- Compressed
Settings:
- Bitrate: High (15-25 Mbps)
- Codec: H.264 High Profile
- Audio: 320 kbps
- Client deliverables
- Archive copies
- Further editing
Post-Export Compression
If you need smaller files:-
Online Tools
- CloudConvert
- Compress Video
- Clideo
-
Desktop Software
- HandBrake (free)
- Adobe Media Encoder
- Final Cut Pro Compressor
-
Command Line
Audio Considerations
Export Audio Settings
- Bitrate: 192-320 kbps
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- Channels: Stereo
- Codec: AAC
Audio Optimization
Music Balance
- Keep music 20% lower than voice
- Fade in/out smoothly
- Check on different speakers
- Test with headphones
Voice Clarity
- Ensure clear narration
- Remove background noise
- Normalize audio levels
- Add compression if needed
Advanced Export Options
Multiple Versions
Create different versions for:-
Master Copy
- Highest quality
- Original aspect ratio
- Uncompressed audio
- For archival
-
Platform Versions
- YouTube: 16:9
- Instagram: 1:1 and 9:16
- LinkedIn: 16:9 or 1:1
- TikTok: 9:16
-
Backup Formats
- With subtitles
- Without music
- Different languages
- Various durations
Batch Exporting
1
Plan Exports
List all needed versions:
- Platforms
- Resolutions
- Formats
2
Queue Exports
Set up each export:
- Name clearly
- Apply settings
- Add to queue
3
Process Overnight
For multiple exports:
- Start before leaving
- Use stable connection
- Check in morning
Troubleshooting Export Issues
Export Failed
Causes & Solutions:-
Browser timeout
- Use Chrome/Firefox
- Disable sleep mode
- Stay on page
-
Large file size
- Reduce resolution
- Shorten duration
- Lower quality
-
Network issues
- Check connection
- Try again later
- Use wired connection
Quality Issues
-
Pixelation
- Increase bitrate
- Check source quality
- Avoid over-compression
-
Audio sync
- Re-export
- Check frame rate
- Verify source sync
-
Color shift
- Check color space
- Use standard profiles
- Test on multiple devices
File Management
Naming Convention
Use descriptive names:Storage Best Practices
-
Local Storage
- Organize by project
- Keep master copies
- Regular backups
-
Cloud Storage
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
- Version control
-
External Backup
- External drives
- Network storage
- Redundancy
Sharing Options
Direct Sharing
- Download Link
- Email
- Cloud Transfer
- Generate shareable link
- Set expiration
- Track downloads
- Password protect
Embedding Videos
For websites:Export Checklist
Before exporting:- Final review complete
- Correct aspect ratio
- Audio levels checked
- Text/graphics verified
- Color correction applied
- Transitions smooth
- Beginning/end padding
- Platform requirements met
- File plays correctly
- Quality acceptable
- File size appropriate
- Backup created
- Metadata added
- Ready for upload
Platform Upload Tips
Pre-Upload Optimization
-
Metadata Preparation
- Title (with keywords)
- Description
- Tags
- Thumbnail
-
Scheduling
- Best posting times
- Time zone considerations
- Platform algorithms
-
Accessibility
- Captions/subtitles
- Audio descriptions
- Transcript
Post-Upload
- Monitor initial performance
- Respond to comments
- Share across platforms
- Track analytics
- Iterate based on data

