Compress a thumbnail without muddying the details
Compress for the upload limit you need. Keep the uncompressed master so future edits do not inherit compression artifacts.
Compress for the upload limit you need. Keep the uncompressed master so future edits do not inherit compression artifacts.
Export from the master
Choose the required dimensions, then export a high-quality JPG as a reference. Try a lower-quality copy against it. For text on flat colors, also test PNG to see whether it stays within the target.
Inspect three problem areas
Zoom in on letter edges, hair or foliage, and a smooth gradient. Look for ringing, blockiness and banding. Then zoom out to feed size and check whether the subject still separates from the background.
Record the smallest acceptable result
Name the copy by width, format and purpose, such as cover-a-1280-mobile.jpg. Preserve the source and the editable project. If a revision is requested, export from the master again.
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Turn SRT or VTT captions into readable notes
An exported caption file contains timing and markup that are useful to a player but get in the way when you read the text. Keep the timed file and make a separate plain-text copy.
PNG, JPG, or WebP for YouTube thumbnails?
The best working format and the best delivery format can differ. Choose the export based on both the picture and the upload destination.
Build YouTube chapters from your final cut
Add chapters after locking the edit. Chapters work best as a short map of what the viewer can do or learn.