Animation Export

You can export animations as video animation files (Audio Video Interleave or AVI files) or as series of image file, one file for each frame per second of your presentation. Export an animation using the Export > Animation menu item in the File Menu.

Tip - Use the Animation Export feature when you need to provide a presentation of your model to a client who does not have SketchUp or the SketchUp viewer. Or, export a video animation for post-processing in another presentation software package. Use SketchUp for simple presentations or when the customer has the SketchUp viewer.

Selecting Animation Type

SketchUp supports both single video animation file export (in the form of a Audio Video Interleave or AVI file) and multiple image file export.

Single Video File Animations

SketchUp allows you to export animation as a single video animation file (Audio Video Interleave or AVI files). These files can be played using any compatible software video player or incorporated into a professional presentation using additional software presentation tools. SketchUp utilizes special third-party software called codecs (compressor/decompressor) to create these files.

Each codec included with SketchUp implements a compression technique designed for a specific medium such as Web video, Email, or CD-ROM.

Multiple Image File Animations

SketchUp also allows you to export an animation as a series of progressive image files. The number of files exported depends on the frame rate for the presentation. For example, a 5 minute presentation exported at 10 frames per-second will yield 3000 files (60 seconds x 5 minutes x 10 frames per-second). Multiple image file animations are typically generated to use as input into video animation software products for post-processing.

Exporting Animations

Animation files can be used to present your model without the need for SketchUp. Or, you import your files into another presentation or animation product to further enhance your animations. To Export an animation as an animation file (or series of image files):

1. Select the File > Export > Animation menu item. The Export Animation Dialog box is displayed.

2. Select the export type from the Export type drop-down list.
3. Enter the name for the exported file or series of files. The animation exporter will combine this name with a sequencing number for each image file that is created as part of a multiple image file animation. For example, if you export a 1 minute presentation called mypres.jpg, at 10 frames per-second, you will get 600 files, each named mypres0001.jpg, mypres0002.jpg, mypress0003.jpg all the way to mypress0600.jpg.
4. Click on the Options button. The Animation Export Options dialog box is displayed.

5. Modify animation export options as necessary. See Animation Export Options in this topic for further information.
6. Click on the Export button to export the presentation as an animation.

The Animation Export Options Dialog Box

The Animation Export Options dialog box contains options for exporting Animation files.

Width/Height: The Width and Height fields are used to control the frame size of the animation, as measured in pixels. The smaller the width and height values, the smaller the overall size, in kilobytes, the video animation file.

Tip - Computer screens can handle resolutions of 1024x768 pixels and above. However, 640x480 pixels is considered a full-size video. Typical videos are created at an even lower frame size. For example, 320x240 is yields acceptable data rates for CD-ROM, and transfers acceptably to videotape while 240x180 is acceptable for Web streaming. Values larger than 640x480 are not recommended unless specifically require such as when creating Full Quality Digital Video similar to that of professional videographers.

Note - Most personal computers can transfer 5 to 7 megabytes of data per second from the hard drive. The larger the frame size, the larger the resulting video animation file. Large video animation files can slow down your computer resulting in skipping.

Aspect Ratio Lock: The Aspect Ratio Lock icon is used to maintain a fixed proportion of video at any frame size. Click on this lock to use a nonproportional frame size in your video animation.

Frame Rate: The Frame Rate drop-down list is used to select the number of frames of animation per second (fps) of time in the presentation. The more frames per-second, the smoother the video animation. However, doubling the frame rate generally doubles the rendering time as well as the final size of the video. A setting between 8 and 10 is considered the minimum required for to produce smooth movement in your video animation. You might consider using a frame rate of 3 frames per-second while testing video animation export.

Note - There are frame rate requirements for certain mediums, such as 29.97 fps for television in the United States, 25 fps for television in Europe, 24 fps for film, and so on.

Note - Most personal computers can transfer 5 to 7 megabytes of data per second from the hard drive. The larger the frame rate, the larger the resulting video animation file. Large video animation files can slow down your computer resulting in skipping.

Loop to Starting Scene: The Loop to Starting Scene option is used to generate an additional video segment that animates from the last scene of your presentation to the first (forming a continuous loop of video).

Anti-Alias: The Anti-Alias option is used to smooth the exported image. This option can increase the export time, but helps to reduce jagged lines and pixilated artifacts in images.

Codec: The Codec option is used to specify which codec, or compression plug-in, to apply to your video animation.

Play When Finished: The Play When Finished option is used to start your default video player and play exported video animation file after it has been created.

Always Prompt for Animation Options: The Always Prompt for Animation Options option is used to display the Animation Export Options dialog box every time a video animation is created.

= Functionality only available in Google SketchUp Pro 6