SketchUp's animation export feature uses codecs (COmpressor/DECompressor) to create the appropriately sized video depending on your needs. Codecs differ in their intended use, compression method, and handling pictures and sound. If you plan to edit your video, you might want to choose a codec that provides higher quality at the expense of file size and compatibility. Conversely, if you plan to email your video or play it off a CD, you might want to select a codec that provides lower data rates at the expense of quality. Some codecs are also designed specifically for a certain device, such as a digital video camera.
You can also choose to create uncompressed video by not using a codec. However, a large uncompressed animation file might require a fast system and very large amounts of disk space.
Following is an explanation of codecs that are included with SketchUp.
This is the default codec for SketchUp. Although not as advanced as modern codecs, videos compressed using Cinepack will work reliably on any platform, play smoothly from CD-ROM, and will provide good file size compression. Cinepak is asymmetrical and lossy.
This codec was designed for video playback from CD-ROM discs. It is comparable in quality to the Cinepak codec, but Cinepack is preferable due to wider support.
This codec originally shipped with Video for Windows (Windows 3.1) and is low quality and rarely used today.
This is a lossy codec that provides good compatibility, speed, and flexibility with average image quality. Advanced features include a quick compression option, keyframe control, transparency, and the ability to adapt to the available bandwidth. (Access to some of these requires software available separately from Intel.)
This is a lossy codec that provides good compatibility, speed, and flexibility with average image quality. Advanced features include a quick compression option, keyframe control, transparency, and the ability to adapt to the available bandwidth. (Access to some of these requires software available separately from Intel.)
This option allows you to export your animation without any compression.