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Export a Video or Audio File

Render the current timeline to an MP4 video, MP3 audio file, or WAV audio file. This creates a finished media file, unlike the XML used to move an edit into Premiere Pro.

Export the timeline​

  1. Choose File > Export > Media….
  2. Set the File name and Destination.
  3. Choose a Format.
  4. For MP4, choose a Resolution and Quality. For MP3, choose a Quality.
  5. Check the duration and estimated size, then click Export.

For a saved project, Solar Sailer starts with the project name and project folder. It remembers your last format, resolution, and quality choices.

If the destination file already exists, choose whether to overwrite it. Solar Sailer refuses to start two exports to the same file at once.

Choose a format​

  • MP4 (H.264) creates a video and includes audible timeline audio. Source keeps the project resolution. You can also choose 2160p, 1080p, or 720p.
  • MP3 creates a smaller audio-only file.
  • WAV creates an uncompressed audio-only file. WAV has no quality setting.

For MP4 and MP3, High gives the largest file, Medium reduces the size, and Small file is useful for a review copy.

Check what will render​

0.4.1 always exports the whole timeline. In and Out points do not limit the exported range.

Disabled clips stay out of the export. Video visibility, mute, and solo controls affect the picture. Audio mute and solo controls affect the mix. The export includes cuts, gaps, track stacking, clip and track volume, and audio fades.

Check transformed clips before sharing​

0.4.1 does not include clip position, scale, rotation, crop, opacity, or effects in the rendered file. If your edit uses any of those settings, the export can look different from the preview.

Use Export to Premiere Pro when you need those clip transforms in a handoff. Check the sequence in Premiere before finishing because XML has its own limits.

Monitor or cancel an export​

Click the task summary at the lower-left of the window to open Background Tasks. The Export Media row shows the output filename, progress, and estimated time remaining.

Click the row's X to cancel. Solar Sailer removes the partial file. An export keeps running if you switch projects because it uses the timeline as it was when you clicked Export.

When the export finishes, click Open in Explorer in the completion message to find the file.

To create subtitles or a readable transcript, see Export Subtitles and Transcripts.