Choose the Right Export Preset for Your DepCut Video

Every export in DepCut starts from one dialog. You pick a preset, press Export video, and the render runs in the background. The presets differ in frame size and file weight, so a minute spent choosing saves a re-export later.

Open the Export dialog

Press Export in the top bar, or use ⌘E (Ctrl+E on other systems) once your timeline has at least one clip. The button stays greyed out on an empty timeline, while a cloud import is still uploading, and after a failed import until you press Retry.

The dialog is titled Export and lists the presets as a radio group. Original · matches source is selected when it opens.

The four presets

• Original · matches source is H.264 at best quality. DepCut starts from the standard frame for your aspect ratio and scales it up toward the resolution of the sharpest clip on your timeline, up to 4K. It is always the largest option in the list.
• Best · 1080p is H.264 at best quality with a 1080-pixel short side.
• Quick share · 1080p uses the same frame size with a smaller file and a faster render.
• Draft · 720p is the fastest render, with a 720-pixel short side.

The "p" figure describes the short side of the frame. A Vertical · 9:16 project exports at 1080 × 1920, and a Widescreen · 16:9 project at 1920 × 1080. Each row shows the exact width and height for your aspect ratio, so you can confirm the frame before you export. All four presets render at 30 frames per second.

Read the size estimate

Every row ends with an approximate file size in MB. DepCut works it out from the length of your cut, the frame size and the preset's quality setting. Busy footage with a lot of motion comes out larger and flat footage comes out smaller, so use the number to compare presets with each other.

The estimate is most useful before you send a file by message or email, when a few megabytes decide whether it goes through.

Match the preset to the job

• A final upload to a social platform. Choose Original or Best. Platforms re-compress what you upload, and a clean, high-quality file gives them more to work with.
• A cut you are sending for feedback. Choose Quick share. The file is lighter for a message and the render finishes sooner.
• A timing check. Choose Draft when you only want to hear how the music, captions and cuts land together.

Each export is saved as its own file in the project, so you can keep a Draft and an Original side by side.

After you press Export video

The dialog closes and the export moves to a card in the bottom-right corner of the editor. You can keep editing while it renders. The finished file also appears under Exports in the Media tab, where you can play it back.

Compare the presets

Open a project in DepCut, press ⌘E, and compare the size estimates for each preset on your own cut.