After Effects Export to Media Encoder Shortcut

Exporting your composition from Adobe After Effects to Adobe Media Encoder allows you to render projects in the background while continuing to work. This guide covers the primary keyboard shortcut to add your active composition directly to the Adobe Media Encoder queue on both Windows and macOS, alongside the basic steps and benefits of using this workflow.

The Keyboard Shortcut

To quickly send an active composition to Adobe Media Encoder, use the following key combinations:

  • Windows: Ctrl + Alt + M
  • macOS: Cmd + Option + M

Ensure that the composition you wish to export is actively selected in your Timeline or Project panel before pressing these keys.

Step-by-Step Export Process

  1. Select the Composition: Click on the composition tab in the Timeline panel or select the composition name in the Project panel.
  2. Execute the Shortcut: Press Ctrl + Alt + M (Windows) or Cmd + Option + M (macOS). Alternatively, go to the top menu and select Composition > Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue.
  3. Wait for Media Encoder: Adobe Media Encoder will launch automatically (if not already running) and import the composition into its Queue panel.
  4. Choose Format and Preset: In Media Encoder, click the format dropdown to select codecs such as H.264, HEVC (H.265), or ProRes. Choose an export preset matching your target platform or resolution.
  5. Set the Output File Location: Click the blue text under the "Output File" column to name your file and designate the save destination.
  6. Start the Render: Click the green Start Queue play button in the top-right corner of the Queue panel (or press Enter) to begin rendering.

Why Use Adobe Media Encoder Instead of After Effects Render Queue?

  • Background Rendering: Unlike the internal After Effects Render Queue, which locks up the application during the export, Media Encoder renders externally so you can continue editing in After Effects.
  • Format Flexibility: Media Encoder natively supports popular delivery formats like H.264 (MP4) and animated GIFs without requiring third-party plugins.
  • Batch Processing: You can queue multiple compositions, apply different presets simultaneously, and render them all in sequence unattended.