No way to save a single frame as PNG?

Question

I'm new to AE, and I'm trying to export a single frame to isolate for later masking. But, when going to Comp>Save Frame, I'm met not with the Output Module where I can alter the settings, but straight to the mac output in preview, where a PSD file is the only selectable option. And, my render queue remains empty throughout this process. When I go back to Edit>Templates>Output Render Templates, there is no PNG option in frame default, even when I go to Edit. I feel a bit dead-ended?

David Arbor · Answer

Saving a frame as a PSD is to take a layered file into Photoshop; you want to render a frame to PNG.

If you have Video Copilot's FX Console, you can very quickly copy or save a frame as a JPG or PNG (there's also an option in the prefs to always save the frame at Full res, even if your Comp panel is set to something lower).

The native solution just requires you making a new preset. The dropdowns in your screenshot are existing presets, so below that menu in the Output Modules window, you should be able to click "Edit" at the bottom (where a new preset is waiting to be made that is likely called "Untitled 1." Give it a new name, then click "Edit." In the new window that pops up the Format dropdown should have PNG Sequence. If you want an alpha channel, make sure to change the Channels from "RGB" to "RGB + Alpha," hit OK. You should then be able to choose it from the Output Module dropdown in the Render Queue, then just make sure to pick your desired frame in the Render Settings dialog.

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