Export Formats Guide: Choose the Right Format for Your Brat Video

Our brat video generator offers three export options: MP4 video, animated GIF, and individual PNG frames. Each format has specific use cases, advantages, and limitations. This guide helps you choose the right export format for your needs.

Quick Format Comparison

MP4 Export: The All-Purpose Standard

MP4 is the most versatile video format and what you'll use 95% of the time. It includes your full audio track with perfect synchronization, works on every platform, and maintains excellent quality at reasonable file sizes.

When to Use MP4

• TikTok, Instagram, YouTube: All major platforms accept and optimize MP4
• Lyric videos: Audio sync is essential for music content
• Professional content: Highest quality for final delivery
• Long videos: MP4 compression keeps file sizes manageable
• Mobile viewing: Best format for mobile playback

MP4 Export Settings

Frame Rate (FPS)

Our generator lets you choose from 10 to 60 FPS. Here's how to decide:

• 24 FPS: Cinematic film look, slightly choppy but artistic
• 30 FPS: Standard for web video, smooth and efficient (recommended for most content)
• 60 FPS: Ultra-smooth, best for fast motion or gaming content

Recommendation: Use 30 FPS for TikTok and Instagram, 60 FPS if you want that premium look for YouTube. Higher FPS = larger files and longer export times, but smoother motion.

Aspect Ratios

• 1:1 (Square): Instagram feed posts, universal sharing, looks good everywhere
• 9:16 (Vertical): TikTok, Reels, Shorts - maximum screen space on mobile
• 16:9 (Horizontal): YouTube videos, desktop viewing, landscape mode

MP4 File Sizes

Typical MP4 file sizes from our generator (for a 30-second video at 30 FPS):

• 1:1 (1080x1080): 3-5 MB
• 9:16 (1080x1920): 5-8 MB
• 16:9 (1920x1080): 5-8 MB

All well within platform upload limits (TikTok allows up to 287 MB, Instagram Reels up to 4 GB).

MP4 Quality Optimization

Our export process uses FFmpeg.wasm for browser-based encoding. The output is automatically optimized for social media with:

• H.264 codec (most compatible)
• AAC audio encoding (high quality, small size)
• Constant quality mode (no visible artifacts)
• Fast start enabled (starts playing while downloading)

GIF Export: Silent Loops for Quick Sharing

GIFs are perfect when you don't need audio. They're supported everywhere (Discord, Twitter, messaging apps, embed on websites) and loop automatically.

When to Use GIF

• Discord/Slack: Share in chat without needing video players
• Twitter/X: Auto-play in feeds without sound
• Website embeds: Add animated content to blogs or portfolios
• Email: Some email clients support GIFs but not videos
• Preview/teasers: Show a snippet to promote the full video
• Meme templates: Shareable reaction GIFs

GIF Speed Control

Our GIF export includes a speed slider (delay in milliseconds):

• 100ms (10 FPS): Very fast, smooth animations
• 250ms (4 FPS): Medium speed, good balance
• 500ms (2 FPS): Slower, emphasizes each frame
• 1000ms (1 FPS): Very slow, deliberate pacing

Lower delay = smoother but larger file size. Higher delay = smaller file but choppier.

GIF Limitations

• No audio: GIFs are silent, no music or voice
• Color limitations: 256 colors max (usually fine for brat's simple aesthetic)
• File size: Can get large quickly, especially for long or high-resolution content
• Quality: Not as sharp as MP4, some color banding possible

GIF File Sizes

Example GIF sizes (10 frames at default speed):

• Small (400x400): 200-500 KB
• Medium (800x800): 800 KB - 2 MB
• Large (1080x1080): 2-5 MB

Keep GIFs under 10 MB for best compatibility. Discord has a 10 MB limit for free users, Twitter allows up to 15 MB.

ZIP Frames Export: Maximum Control

Export individual PNG frames when you want to edit your brat video in professional software. This gives you ultimate flexibility for advanced effects, transitions, or compositing.

When to Use ZIP Frames

• CapCut editing: Import frame sequence for transitions and effects
• Adobe Premiere Pro: Professional editing with full control
• After Effects: Complex motion graphics and compositing
• DaVinci Resolve: Color grading and professional finishing
• Custom frame rate: Convert to any FPS you need
• Overlay other content: Composite brat text over live footage

What's Included in ZIP Export

When you export frames as ZIP, you get:

• Individual PNG files (frame_001.png, frame_002.png, etc.)
• Full resolution (1080x1080, 1080x1920, or 1920x1080)
• Transparent background option (if you uncheck background)
• Lossless PNG quality (no compression artifacts)
• All frames from your video in sequence

Using Frames in Video Editors

CapCut (Mobile and Desktop)

1. Unzip the downloaded frames folder
2. Open CapCut, create new project
3. Import → Import all frames from the folder
4. Select all frames, add to timeline
5. Adjust duration per frame (usually 0.1-0.5 seconds)
6. Add your audio track
7. Export at your desired settings

Adobe Premiere Pro

1. File → Import
2. Select the first frame (frame_001.png)
3. Check "Image Sequence" option
4. Set frame rate (30 FPS recommended)
5. Premiere imports all frames as a video clip
6. Edit as normal video

After Effects

1. File → Import → File
2. Select first frame, check "PNG Sequence"
3. Set frame rate
4. Drag sequence to composition
5. Add effects, motion graphics, etc.
6. Render and export

Advanced Uses for Frame Export

Green Screen Compositing

Use green brat backgrounds as chroma key sources. Export frames, import to video editor, key out the green, overlay on other footage.

Custom Transitions

Create smooth transitions between text frames using motion blur, wipes, or crossfades in your video editor. Much more control than our built-in frame switching.

Mixed Media Projects

Combine brat text frames with live footage, B-roll, or other graphics. Perfect for music videos that mix lyric sections with performance footage.

Print and Static Use

Extract individual frames for print materials, social media posts, thumbnails, or posters. Full resolution PNGs work great for non-video uses.

ZIP File Sizes

Frame exports are larger since there's no compression:

• 10 frames (1080x1080): 2-4 MB
• 30 frames (1080x1920): 8-15 MB
• 60 frames (1920x1080): 15-25 MB

Export Quality Settings

Resolution by Aspect Ratio

All our exports use platform-optimized resolutions:

• 1:1 Square: 1080x1080 pixels
• 9:16 Vertical: 1080x1920 pixels
• 16:9 Horizontal: 1920x1080 pixels

These match Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube recommended specs perfectly.

Blur and Visual Effects

Blur effects are automatically adjusted for export resolution. The blur you see in preview will match the exported video. Higher FPS exports show smoother blur transitions if you're animating blur levels.

Platform Upload Best Practices

TikTok

• Format: MP4
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• FPS: 30 FPS
• Max Duration: 10 minutes (but keep under 60 seconds for best performance)
• Max File Size: 287 MB

Instagram Reels

• Format: MP4
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Reels) or 1:1 (feed posts)
• FPS: 30 FPS
• Max Duration: 90 seconds (Reels), 60 seconds (feed)
• Max File Size: 4 GB

YouTube Shorts

• Format: MP4
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• FPS: 30-60 FPS
• Max Duration: 60 seconds
• Max File Size: 256 GB (effectively unlimited)

Twitter/X

• Format: MP4 or GIF
• Aspect Ratio: Any, but 16:9 or 1:1 recommended
• FPS: 30 FPS
• Max Duration: 2 minutes 20 seconds
• Max File Size: 512 MB (MP4), 15 MB (GIF)

Export Time Expectations

Export times vary based on format, length, and your device:

MP4 Export

• 10 frames, 30 FPS: 15-30 seconds
• 30 frames, 30 FPS: 30-60 seconds
• 60 frames, 60 FPS: 1-2 minutes

GIF Export

• 10 frames: 10-20 seconds
• 30 frames: 30-45 seconds
• 60 frames: 1-2 minutes

ZIP Frames Export

• 10 frames: 5-10 seconds
• 30 frames: 15-25 seconds
• 60 frames: 30-60 seconds

All processing happens in your browser using FFmpeg.wasm (for MP4) or GIF.js (for GIF). Faster computers export faster. All exports show a progress indicator so you know how much longer to wait.

Troubleshooting Export Issues

Export Fails or Stalls

• Close other browser tabs to free up memory
• Try a different browser (Chrome works best)
• Reduce frame count if possible
• Lower FPS setting
• Check that you have enough disk space

File Won't Upload to Platform

• Verify file size is under platform limit
• Check aspect ratio matches platform requirements
• Try re-exporting at lower FPS
• Make sure audio is included (if required)
• Check video duration meets platform specs

Quality Looks Lower Than Preview

• Platform compression (TikTok/IG compress all uploads)
• View on high-quality settings (disable data saver)
• Export at higher FPS for smoother motion
• Platforms may take time to process HD version

Audio Out of Sync

• Check your audio sync in preview before exporting
• Some platforms add tiny delays - compensate by syncing 30-50ms early
• Re-export if sync was adjusted after first export
• Verify FPS matches what you tested with

Which Format Should You Choose?

Quick decision guide:

• Posting to TikTok/Instagram/YouTube? → MP4
• Sharing in Discord/messaging? → GIF
• Need to edit further? → ZIP Frames
• Want audio? → MP4 only
• Silent loop? → GIF
• Best quality? → ZIP Frames → Edit → Export
• Fastest export? → ZIP Frames
• Smallest file? → MP4 at lower FPS

Pro Tips for Better Exports

• Preview first: Always preview at 1x speed before exporting
• Test on mobile: Check how it looks on phone screen, not just desktop
• Export multiple formats: MP4 for main post, GIF for stories/shares
• Save your project: Browser auto-saves, so you can re-export with different settings
• Batch export: Create multiple videos, export all at once
• Keep original audio: Save your audio file separately for re-use

Recommended workflow: Start with MP4 at 30 FPS for your main social posts. If you need a GIF version for quick sharing, export that second. Only export ZIP frames if you're planning advanced editing. Most creators use MP4 99% of the time - it's the sweet spot of quality, compatibility, and file size.