The Easiest Workaround to Export After Effects to MP4

Exporting After Effects projects to MP4 is crucial to creating shareable, high-quality content. As we all know, MP4 is the most supported format by various platforms, devices, and applications. Natively, After Effects does not directly support MP4 export. But through Adobe Media Encoder, it allows you to convert your project to MP4. In this post, we will guide you on how to export After Effects to MP4 with and without Adobe Media Encoder. This way, you can share and deliver your content seamlessly across different platforms.

Part 1. Why Do I Need to Export Video to MP4

Increase Shareability

Different online platforms require different types of video formats. Often, the MP4 format is the most common file type supported by various online destinations. This includes websites, social media platforms, and video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok. For instance, YouTube videos won’t play if they are in MKV format, which can cause sharing issues. Therefore, it is suggested to export video to MP4 to ensure accessibility across these platforms.

Efficient Compression

MP4 file format uses advanced compression techniques, particularly the H.264 codec. Exporting your video projects to MP4 format compresses the data enough without affecting its quality. This makes MP4 ideal for storing and transferring large video file sizes efficiently. Compression is essential when uploading videos to platforms with file size restrictions. Smaller video file sizes have faster upload and download times, making the process more efficient.

Broad Compatibility

MP4 is perhaps the most used and universally compatible video format available. Not to mention, it is supported by nearly all video players, operating systems, and devices. This extensive compatibility ensures that anyone, regardless of their device, can play MP4 files without needing to install additional codecs or software. Over and above that, MP4 files can be used for streaming content over the internet, as it is optimized for web playback.

Editing Convenience

Most video editing software supports MP4 files as it is favored for its editing convenience. In other words, you can import MP4 files into these programs and edit them without encountering any issues related to format conversion. Since MP4 files are compressed efficiently, it ensures that it won’t strain your editing system. This makes it easier for you to work with and allows for smoother playback during the editing process.

Part 2. How to Export After Effects to MP4

After Effects is a full-packed software that lets you do almost anything you can imagine. It allows you to cut a clip, speed up a video, do slow motion, and more. Despite its efficiency, it also produces large video file sizes that might be impossible to share. Thankfully, After Effects enables exporting projects to MP4, which comes with efficient compression. By selecting this format, you can ensure your video has a professional-grade quality in a smaller file size.

Here’s how to save After Effects as MP4 using Adobe Media Encoder:

Step 1. Before exporting your After Effects project, ensure your composition is complete. Switch to the Composition tab and select Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue.

Step 2. In the Adobe Media Encoder queue, move to the Format section. Click the dropdown next to your After Effects project and select the H.264 option.

Step 3. Click the System Presets option to choose your preferred export quality. After configuring the presets, click Apply Presets to apply the changes made.

Step 4. Once you’ve made your adjustments, click the Green Play button to initiate the export process. The process may take time, depending on your project’s length and resolution.

Note: H.264 is the standard codec for MP4 files. By selecting it, you can ensure your project will be exported in MP4 format.

Part 3. BONUS: Best Tool to Convert and Edit Video to MP4

Exporting After Effects projects without using Adobe Media Encoder isn’t possible. Fortunately, there’s a workaround you can try to make the export process straightforward. If you want to save your projects without Adobe Media Encoder, use Vidmore Video Converter. It is a dedicated media file conversion software with a video editor inclusion. This software is designed to make the media conversion and editing free from any inconvenience.

For good measure, Vidmore Video Converter allows you to convert After Effects projects to MP4. In addition to the MP4 format, it can also export other file types, including MOV, MKV, AVI, and 200+ more. The best deal? You can even save your project with up to 4K resolution with high sound quality. Beyond media conversion, it provides a suite of editing tools that enable you to customize your video before conversion. This includes tools for cropping, rotating, trimming, enhancing, adding filters, adjusting effects, and overlaying text or images.

Here’s how to export After Effects to MP4 using Vidmore Video Converter:

Step 1. Start by getting a free download of Vidmore Video Converter. Install the multimedia software and allow the installation process to complete.

Step 2. Once the installation is finished, launch the Vidmore Video Converter on your computer. By default, you will be presented in the program’s Converter tab.

Step 3. Click + Add Files to import your After Effects projects into the program. If your videos are compiled in a folder, click the dropdown menu and select Add Folder.

Note: Vidmore Video Converter supports batch conversion. This means you can add multiple video projects and process them simultaneously.

Step 4. At this stage, you can now start editing. Here are the things you can do:

Magic Wand: Rotate, crop, add filter, adjust effect, and add text or image watermark.

Scissor: Cut unnecessary parts of the video by adjusting the start and end times.

Enhancer: Upscale video resolution, optimize effects, remove noise, and reduce video shakes.

Step 5. After editing your project, click the Output Profile and switch to the Video category. Look for the MP4 format and select your preferred quality.

Step 6. Once that is done, click Settings to configure other video parameters. Then, choose your file destination and click Convert All to initiate the MP4 conversion.

Vidmore Video Converter is an excellent alternative for saving your After Effects projects to MP4. Its straightforward interface, ultra-fast conversion speed, and editing tools make it a perfect choice for managing your projects efficiently. Apart from that, you can also make slideshows, generate GIFs, and collage videos and photos with it.

Part 4. FAQs about Exporting After Effects to MP4

Why can’t After Effects import MP4?

After Effects can’t import MP4 due to codec incompatibilities, MP4 files can hold various codecs, some of which are not supported by After Effects. In such cases, you can convert MP4 to MOV.

How do I export After Effects to MP4 without a background?

In actuality, After Effects does not support MP4 with alpha channels. You have to export the project in QuickTime format and select RGB+Alpha under Channels.

How to export MP4 from After Effects without Media Encoder?

Unfortunately, you cannot export MP4 in After Effects without Media Encoder natively. Alternatively, export your project in a different format and use Vidmore Video Converter to convert it into MP4 format.

Conclusion

Knowing how to add text to a video in After Effects can elevate your project. And to make it more engaging to watch, it gives you the option to add animation. However, After Effects might be complicated to use, mainly for simple projects, that being said, you can use the Vidmore Video Converter. This versatile software offers an MV Maker, which you can use to add customizable text. It allows you to customize the font style, color, size, alignment, orientation, and visibility according to your preference. You can attain all of these without any hassles.