How to Export MP4 Video in Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop allows creators to edit video sequences and export timeline animations directly into standard MP4 formats using its integrated Adobe Media Encoder engine. This guide outlines the exact steps to configure your render settings, select the correct H.264 codec, and export a high-quality MP4 video file directly from your Photoshop workspace without requiring external conversion tools.

1. Finalize Your Timeline

Before exporting, ensure your animation or video sequence is fully prepared:

  • Open the Timeline panel by navigating to Window > Timeline if it is not already visible.
  • Set the work area bar (the blue slider directly above the timeline layers) to cover the exact starting and ending frames you wish to export.

2. Open the Render Video Dialog

You can access the export window through either of the following methods:

  • Go to the top menu and select File > Export > Render Video...
  • Alternatively, click the small arrow icon (Render Video) located at the bottom-left corner of the Timeline panel.

3. Set the File Name and Destination

  • Under the Location section at the top of the dialog box:
    • Enter a name for your video in the name field.
    • Click Select Folder... to designate where the output MP4 will be saved on your computer.

4. Select the MP4 Format (Adobe Media Encoder)

To ensure the output is a standard MP4 file, configure the engine settings:

  • Under the dropdown menu below the location settings, ensure Adobe Media Encoder is selected instead of "Photoshop Image Sequence."
  • Set the Format dropdown menu to H.264. This format automatically packages the video into a standard .mp4 container.
  • In the Preset dropdown, select a preset that matches your project needs, such as High Quality, or choose a specific resolution preset like HD 1080p 29.97.

5. Adjust Video Dimensions and Frame Rate

If you do not want to use a preset:

  • Size: Choose Document Size to match your Photoshop canvas, or select a custom resolution.
  • Frame Rate: Match the frame rate of your project document (commonly 24, 29.97, 30, or 60 fps).
  • Field Order: Set this to Progressive for standard digital displays.
  • Aspect: Select Square Pixels (1.0) to avoid unintended stretching.

6. Set the Range and Render

  • In the Range section:
    • Select Work Area if you defined specific in/out points on the timeline.
    • Select All Frames if you want to export the entire timeline sequence.
  • Click the Render button in the top-right corner of the window.

Photoshop will process the timeline and save the final MP4 file directly to your selected destination folder.