Animation for Broadcast
ArtDes 300, Sec. 07, Fall 2008
Prof. Heidi Kumao

Final Rendering Tips

Final Renders/After Effects Projects should be rendered TWO TIMES:
1) HD high res file (1920 x 1080 pixels)
and
2)Scaled down version (see below for instructions)
720x480 (16x9 aspect ratio)

 
OUTPUT: Scaling a movie down
There are several methods for producing a reduced-size movie from your composition, each with tradeoffs between speed and quality. Choose ONE of these:

*1st option) Nest the composition (recommended)

a) Create a new composition at the smaller dimensions, and nest the large composition inside it.
Select Composition>New>Preset "NTSC DV Widescreen" (Lock aspect ratio to 16x9)
Gives you a final movie size of 720x480 pixels

b) Scale the big composition to fit into the smaller one exactly
Choose Layer> Fit to Comp

c) Collapse Transformations
Choose Layer > Switches > Collapse

d) Render this composition at full resolution and best quality.
Choose Composition>Make Movie>check Full resolution and check AUDIO ON if you have audio.

The resulting composition rendered at full resolution and best quality will have excellent image quality, better than if you had rendered using a reduced resolution.
2nd option) Stretch the composition
This method produces the highest quality reduced-size movie but is slower than nesting.

a) Start your final render: Choose Composition > Make Movie

b) In the Render Queue window, click on "Lossless" to set the OUTPUT MODULE settings

render queue

c)Choose
and Set the Stretch Quality to High.

d) Check the audio box to render audio.

Scale down 720x480

e) Render your movie.