How do I extract a file from Premiere Pro?

"Extracting a file" from Premiere Pro can generally refer to two distinct actions: exporting your finished video or audio as a media file, or using the Extract edit command to remove a section from your timeline. This guide will cover both possibilities to ensure you achieve your desired result.

1. Exporting Your Finished Video or Audio (Most Common Meaning)

When most people talk about "extracting a file" from Premiere Pro, they usually mean exporting their sequence into a final video or audio file format (like MP4, MOV, MP3, etc.) that can be shared or played back.

Here are the basic steps to export your project:

• Prepare Your Sequence: Ensure your edit is complete in your timeline sequence.
• Set Export Area: By default, Premiere Pro will export the entire sequence. You can set In and Out points (I and O keys) on your timeline or in the Program Monitor if you only want to export a specific portion.
• Initiate Export:
  • Go to File > Export > Media.
  • Alternatively, press the shortcut Ctrl + M (Windows) or Cmd + M (macOS).
  • You can also go directly to the Export tab in the header bar (newer versions).
• Choose Settings: The Export Settings window (or tab) opens, allowing you to select:
  • Format: Choose the desired file type (e.g., H.264 for MP4, QuickTime for MOV). H.264 is very common for web and general use.
  • Preset: Select a preset based on your target use (e.g., "Match Source - Adaptive High Bitrate" for quality, specific presets for YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
  • Output Name: Click this to specify the file name and location where you want to save the extracted file.
  • Video/Audio Tabs: Adjust more detailed settings like resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and audio codec if needed.
• Export: Click the Export button. Premiere Pro will then render and create your media file in the specified location. For longer or more complex projects, you might choose Queue to send it to Adobe Media Encoder, allowing you to continue working in Premiere Pro while it renders in the background.

2. Using the 'Extract' Edit Command (Specific Editing Action)

The term "Extract" in Premiere Pro also refers to a specific editing command found under the Edit menu. This function is used within your sequence to remove a selected portion and automatically close the gap left behind.

Based on the provided information:

To use the extract function, you simply set the In and Out points around the section you want to remove, then choose 'Extract' from the Edit menu or press the designated shortcut key.

Here's how it works:

• Identify Section: Look at your timeline and decide which part you want to cut out.
• Set In and Out Points: Place the playhead at the beginning of the section you want to remove and press the I key to set the In point. Move the playhead to the end of the section and press the O key to set the Out point.
• Execute Extract:
  • Go to Edit > Extract.
  • Use the default keyboard shortcut Shift + Delete (Windows) or Shift + Fn + Delete (macOS) or customize your own shortcut.

When you use Extract, the content between the In and Out points is removed, and the sequence automatically "ripples" forward, closing the space that was created. It's essentially a two-step process (delete + ripple delete) combined into one command.

Summary: Exporting vs. Extracting (Edit Command)

Here’s a quick comparison:

Understanding the difference between these two actions is key to effectively using Premiere Pro. If you want a video file to share, you need to export. If you want to quickly remove a section from your edit and close the gap, you use the Extract edit command.