How do I export a finished video?
When you are happy with your camera movements, it is time to export. Smooth Operator renders your video with all the camera moves, cropping, and effects applied into a single output file.
Step 1: Open the Export sheet
- Tap the Export button (arrow-up icon) in the toolbar.
- On Mac, press Cmd+E or go to File → Export....
The Export sheet opens with the title "Export."
Step 2: Choose a destination
Select where you want to save the exported video. Options depend on your platform:
- Save to Files — Save to a folder on your device or cloud storage.
- Save to Photos — Add the video to your Photos library (requires permission).
On Mac, a standard save dialog appears where you can choose any folder.
Step 3: Choose an export mode
| Mode | Description | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Unscaled | Crop only. Output at the source video's natural resolution. | Fastest |
| Scaled | Crop and scale to your chosen output resolution. | Standard |
| Enhanced | AI upscaling to restore quality in zoomed-in areas. | Slowest |
Scaled is the default and works well for most exports. See Which export mode should I choose? for a detailed comparison.
Step 4: Configure output settings
Resolution
Choose your output resolution. The default is 4K (3840x2160 for landscape). Options include:
- 4K (3840x2160)
- 1080p (1920x1080)
- 720p (1280x720)
Frame Rate
Choose the frames per second. The default is 30 fps. The app lists frame rates compatible with your source video.
Codec
Choose the video codec:
- HEVC (H.265) — Better compression, smaller files. Default.
- H.264 — Wider compatibility, larger files.
Quality
Adjust the quality slider from Low to High. Higher quality = larger file size. The default is High.
Audio
Toggle "Include Audio" on or off. On by default.
Motion Blur
Toggle "Motion Blur" on or off. When enabled, fast camera movements have natural motion blur applied. On by default.
Step 5: Choose export range
- Full Video — Export the entire video from start to end.
- Custom — Export only a portion. Use the start/end sliders to define the range. This is useful for:
- Testing settings on a short section before exporting the whole video.
- Exporting a specific clip.
- Creating multiple short exports from one project.
Step 6: Export
Tap the "Export" button in the toolbar. The app begins rendering:
- A progress indicator shows the export status.
- You can cancel the export if needed.
When complete, you will see: "Video saved successfully."
Export defaults
New projects start with these export defaults:
- Mode: Scaled
- Resolution: 4K Landscape (or Portrait if auto-detected)
- Frame Rate: 30 fps
- Codec: HEVC
- Quality: High
- Audio: Included
- Motion Blur: Enabled
Tips
- Test with a custom range first. Export a 10-second section to check quality and settings before exporting a long video.
- Use HEVC for most exports. It produces smaller files at the same quality.
- Use H.264 if compatibility is a concern — some older devices and platforms do not support HEVC.
- Export can take a while for long or high-resolution videos. The app shows progress so you know it is working.