How to export in Final Cut Pro: high-res and small file videos

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to export files in Final Cut Pro. Exporting is a simple process of figuring out which resolutions and file sizes will be right for your final video. Various options are available depending on where you intend to host your video or how much time you’re looking to spend rendering.

One familiar issue editors face is rendering a clear video in 1080p, then uploading the video and seeing that the hosting platform has degraded its quality. You can avoid this issue by learning how to export files in Final Cut Pro directly. No more cheating yourself out of high resolutions, clear frame rates, and visual quality! So, let’s dive in.

Part 1: How to use Final Cut Pro to export video

Final Cut Pro can export videos for a variety of platforms and uses. You can find out more in Motion Array’s Final Cut Pro basics tutorial. Knowing where you want to use your video is key to finding the best export settings and smoothest render possible. Here’s how to get started exporting files in Final Cut Pro.

Step 1: Choose a project to export files from in Final Cut Pro

Before starting your export, select your video project. If you’re struggling to import into Final Cut Pro, this link will help. Now, let’s get that video project ready. 

1. Open your project library view with the shortcut Cmd+0. 
2. Select the project you’d like to export from your library or create a new one by selecting Cmd+N.

Step 2: Choose the best export settings

Let’s find the best Final Cut Pro export settings for your video:

1. Finalize your timeline and select the File tab.
2. From there, select Share or Cmd+E.
3. You’ll likely want to export using the Master File option. If that doesn’t match your needs, some alternatives are listed below so you can get extra specific or just plain adventurous. The explanations and tables in the next section will explain your options.
4. By selecting the Master File tab, the Settings panel will appear.

Recommended resolutions

When you export files in Final Cut Pro, you choose the resolution you want for your video. This depends on the destination and the video’s existing dimensions. However, it all starts with how your video was shot. You can’t upsize a resolution higher than the footage and get a crisp, clear video. It’s best to use higher-res video than you need and drop the render resolution if you want Final Cut Pro to export smaller video sizes.

After opening Final Cut Pro, you can choose a project resolution that matches your footage. For vertical videos like for Instagram, here are some extra tips. Below are the standard recommended resolutions for social media and video hosting platforms:

Format	Recommended Resolution
Standard Video	1920 x 1080
YouTube	1920 x 1080 [or 4096 x 2304]
Vimeo	1920 x 1080 [or 4096 x 2304]
Facebook	1920 x 1080
Instagram	1080 x 1080 [or 640 x 640]

Recommended codecs

Codecs tell your device how to render the video. Their value is frequently underrated and overlooked, but which codec you decide on can make a world of difference.

Codecs are nearly as crucial to the exported video file as the resolution. The standard codec for videos to be uploaded online is H.264. H.264 offers a compressed file with minimal loss in quality. That’s right, you can enjoy a good balance of a high-quality video with a smaller file size.

But if your video requires extra visual clarity or the subjects are lit poorly, the Source — Apple ProRes 422 codec is highly recommended. Here’s a full list of Apple-supported codecs and formats for you as well.

Step 3: Monitor your export progress

Now that your Final Cut Pro video export is underway, how long will it take? You can monitor your progress easily by simply clicking Cmd+9. Final Cut Pro will give you an exact percentage to see how close your video is to completion.

Part 2: Pro tips and troubleshooting while exporting files in Final Cut Pro

1. Exporting a section of your timeline

Sometimes you don’t have the time to render an entire project and need to preview just a portion. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. If there’s a specific part of your project you’d like to render individually, you’ll be able to do so by following these steps: 

1. Blade the sections of the clip you want to render. Use the shortcut Cmd+B.
2. Highlight the rest of the project and Delete it using the backspace or delete key. (You will be able to restore it after the render.)
3. Follow the Export settings above to render the individual clip. 
4. After the clip has been rendered, use the shortcut Cmd+Z to restore the deleted project files.

Using Final Cut Pro to export smaller file sizes is a great way to save time when checking edits and effects.

2. Saving your export settings

If a particular setting works for your video, it’s recommended that you keep that preset saved. Presets can be applied to future projects to keep things consistent. You’ll find the Add Destination option under the File and then Share tabs.

1. Construct your output preset by selecting the Add Destination tab.
2. Add Destination will give you several options. 
3. While you can export directly to YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook, the safest option is to select the Export File.
4. You’ll be able to save this method by double-clicking it while the menu is open.
5. Name the Export method so you remember it.

3. Final Cut Pro: exporting smaller file sizes to reduce render time

Render times can be a hassle, especially for longer projects. Below you’ll be given options for cutting back on the wait time that comes with exporting video from Final Cut Pro.

Resizing dimensions

The larger your video’s dimensions, the longer you’ll likely have to wait for the output file to render. If you’re willing to compromise visual quality for a lesser wait time, you may want to consider settling for a lower-resolution video. Using Final Cut Pro to export smaller file sizes will always be faster. Motion Array has other tips to speed up your workflow in Final Cut Pro, too.

• If your video is 4K, you may want to consider exporting video from Final Cut Pro with a 1920 x 1080 output.
• If your video is 1080p, you may want to consider exporting video from Final Cut Pro with a 1280 x 720 output.

Checking the progress of your render

• To monitor the progression of your render, simply select Cmd+9. 
• The Background Tasks toolbar will appear and show the percentage of your video completed.

Things to finish before exporting

• To avoid slowing the process, it’s recommended that all plugins used with clips in Final Cut Pro be rendered in their own project files.
• Before rendering an output file, in-software functions such as Stabilization, Ken Burns effect cropping, and Audio Denoising must be complete.

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Final Cut Pro is one of the more user-friendly editing softwares available. Although some of its functions may seem confusing initially, they are quite simple to master. Motion Array hopes this tutorial has helped you learn how to export video from Final Cut Pro with ease. When you know how to export files in Final Cut Pro across a variety of formats and resolutions, you’ll be able to use those video outputs to meet your needs no matter what they are.