Render single frame

[cwwestland4]

Hello. I am using version 16.1 of AE and I'm trying to render one frame as a jpeg. In the past, I have always just hit ctrl+alt+S, which is what the Composition menus shows as the shortcut. This always defaulted to Photoshop but gave me the option to change to jpeg. Now, when I do this, the only options for any file type are sequences, i.e. photoshop sequence, jpeg sequence, etc. I only need one frame but whenever I try to do this, it just starts rendering the whole project starting with the frame I have selected. Any thoughts on what is causing this and/or how to fix it? Any help is appreciated!

[Warren Heaton · Accepted solution]

Put the Current Time Indicator on the frame that you'd like to save as a still image, then choose Composition > Save Frame As... > File.... (It's option command S on Mac, so it's probably alt control S on Windows).

This will add the Comp to the Render Queue with the Start and End set to just the frame that the CTI was at (so you'll get just one frame, not a sequence of frames).

You'll probably need to change the Render Settings from "Current Settings" to "Best" and the Output Module from "Photoshop" to "JPEG".  If you' don't see a "JPEG" Output Module template (I don't think AE has one by default), then you'll want to click on "Photoshop" to open the Render Settings dialog box and change the Format pop-up menu from "Photoshop Sequence" to "JPEG Sequence".

-Warren

[cwwestland4]

Thanks Warren. The process you describe is what I have done for years but now there is no option to render without choosing jpeg ”sequence” rather than just jpeg.

[P.M.B]

Check out this free plugin that you call with the spacebar as well.  It's a real time save and includes a one click frame grab.

VIDEO COPILOT | After Effects Tutorials, Plug-ins and Stock Footage for Post Production Professional...

[Rick Gerard]

It looks like a PSD is the only option when you save a frame as a file.

[cwwestland4]

Thanks for the reply. This has not always been the case. I have been rendering single frames as Jeph for years but now I only get the option to render a whole sequence instead of a single frame.

[cwwestland4]

OK, gentlemen...I'm not sure what changed but when I tried this before I posted, it started rendering the full sequence instead of the single frame but when I just tried again I got the single frame. Thanks to everyone that replied and I apologize for wasting time.