---
title: "Create and render your first video"
canonical_url: https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/first-video/
source: docs/dashboard/first-video.md
content_revision: 6338386a1dd87e4a
---

# Create and render your first video

Create an editable project, then render it into a video file you can watch and download.

## When to use it

Follow this walkthrough when you want to make a first video using the dashboard and visual editor. A **project** is your editable design. A **render** is the cloud job that turns that design into a finished file. Saving a project and rendering a video are separate actions.

## Before you begin

- [Create an account and complete setup](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/getting-started-account/).
- Check your available [rendering credits](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/credits/). Credits pay for cloud rendering; browser preview does not start a paid render.

## How to create a video

**Navigation: Dashboard → Create video → Editor.**

1. Sign in at [app.zvid.io](https://app.zvid.io).
2. Select **Create video** in the top bar. The [visual editor](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/overview/) opens in a new tab. Allow the browser to open that tab if it was blocked.
3. Enter a descriptive **Project name**, such as `My first video`.
4. Choose a **Resolution preset** for your destination. On a compact screen, open **Project settings** to see these controls.
5. Select **Text** in the tool rail, then **Add a heading**. Click the added text, or use **Selected element actions → Edit properties**, then enter your message under **Design → Content**. See [add and style text](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/text/).

   ![Zvid editor Text panel showing Add a heading, Add a subheading, Add a line of body text, and Add a small caption.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-text-tools.png)

6. Use the [timeline](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/timeline/) to check when the heading appears and how long it remains visible. For a first test, keep the project short.
7. Use **Play (Space)** to preview it. Adjust the text, layout or timing until you are satisfied. The browser preview is an editing aid; the cloud output is the final result.

## How to save the editable project

1. Select **Save** in the editor toolbar. On a compact screen, its icon remains available even when the text label is hidden.
2. If prompted, sign in with the same Zvid account.
3. In **Save project to your account**, check the **Project name** and select **Save project**.
4. Return to **Dashboard → Projects** to find the saved draft. Use **Open in editor** to continue editing later.

See [save, import and reopen projects](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/projects/) for saving an existing project or making another cloud copy.

## How to render your first video

**Navigation: Editor → Render.**

1. Select **Render** in the editor toolbar.
2. Review the project information and available credits in **Render video**. Correct any validation errors shown in the dialog.

   ![Zvid Render video dialog showing the Start render button that submits the project for cloud rendering.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-render-dialog.png)

3. Select **Start render** once. This submits a cloud rendering job and can spend credits.
4. Follow the queue and rendering progress. When rendering finishes, use **Download** in the dialog or open the dashboard's **Renders** page.

> **Submitting another render can incur another charge. If the connection drops after you select **Start render**, check **Dashboard → Renders** before submitting again. Closing the dialog does not cancel a submitted cloud job.**

## Where the finished video is stored

**Navigation: Dashboard → Renders.**

The completed render has a **Ready** badge and an output URL. Use its three-dot menu → **View** to open the output, or **Download** to save a copy on your device. The saved design stays separately under **Projects**.

The render list loads the latest 50 jobs for the selected media type. Download important deliverables for your own records; a project draft is not a downloaded video. See [find, view and download renders](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/videos/).

## Troubleshooting

### The editor did not open

**Cause:** Your browser may have blocked the new tab.

**Solution:** Allow the editor tab or open [editor.zvid.io](https://editor.zvid.io) directly. Use the same account when saving and rendering.

### Start render is unavailable or the render fails

**Cause:** The project may have validation errors, assets may be inaccessible, or your account may lack available credits.

**Solution:** Read the displayed error, correct the project and check **Credits**. Follow [troubleshoot a render](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/troubleshooting-renders/) before submitting another job.

## What happens next

You have an editable draft and a separate finished video. Reopen the draft to make another version, or turn a repeated design into a [reusable template](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/templates/).

## Related documentation

- [Dashboard overview](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/overview/)
- [Preview a video](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/preview/)
- [Render and export options](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/export/)
- [Understand credits](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/credits/)