Export a single frame from an After Effects composition

Learn how to easily export out a frame from After Effects as a JPEG, PNG or PSD. Details below...

There are a huge number of options to choose from when exporting out a single frame from After Effects. Fortunately, usually only one or two of these settings need to be changed to create the required image. This video shows how to create a JPEG, a PNG with transparency and a PSD (Photoshop file) with both transparency and layers.

TIMELINE
0:00 - Review of composition used in this video

0:56 - Save frame in menu

1:27 - Save frame as JPEG (no transparency)
Menu: Composition - Save Frame As - File
If this menu option is not available, first click in either the Composition or Timeline panels.

Render Queue - Output Module
- Change Format to "JPEG Sequence".
- Select "Format Options" button to change JPEG quality.

Render Queue - Output To
- Change file name and location to be saved.

3:38 - Save frame as PNG (transparency)
Menu: Composition - Save Frame As - File

Render Queue - Output Module
- Change Format to "PNG Sequence".

6:02 - Save frame as Photoshop file
Exports out all layers including those with visibility turned off.

[blackmoonsdaughter]

Hello there! Excuse me, but I have a question. If, when I press 'Save frame as' and then 'file' it doesn't automatically open the render queue but only lets me save it as a photoshop file anywhere on my computer, how do I fix that? I remember seeing somewhere that you have to change some settings in 'Templates' and 'Output Module' but I'm not sure how to do that and what settings to set.

[tymepolo]

How do I make it render a video one frame at a time instead of multiprocessing because its a big project and won't let me render the optics compensation effect.