---
title: "Render, download, and export"
canonical_url: https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/export/
source: docs/editor/export.md
content_revision: 6338386a1dd87e4a
---

# Render, download, and export

Render a finished video or image in the cloud, or export the project JSON for automation.

## When to use it

Use **Render** to create media you can watch, download, or share. Use **Export** when you want to keep the editable payload or use it in code. **Save** keeps a cloud draft for later editing.

## Before you begin

For cloud rendering, sign in and have sufficient credits. Check your dimensions, frame rate, duration, source URLs, and variable defaults. Rendering uses the same account limits and credit system as the API.

## How to render a video

**Navigation:** **Editor → Render**.

1. [Preview](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/preview/) the project and save it if you need to keep the editable version.
2. Click **Render**.
3. If validation errors are listed, close the dialog and fix the reported fields.
4. If prompted, click **Sign in to render** and sign in.
5. Check the output summary and available credit balance.
6. Click **Start render**.
7. Wait through **Queued** and **Rendering in the cloud**. The dialog displays progress and, once rendering is underway, reserved credits.
8. When complete, play the result and click **Download**.

![Zvid Render video dialog showing the Start render action for submitting the current project to the cloud.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-render-dialog.png)

The finished media also appears in [your dashboard's videos](https://app.zvid.io/videos). Click **Render again** to submit another render of the current composition.

> **Estimate before spending credits**
The editor dialog shows your available balance before submission; it does not show a hosted cost estimate before **Start render**. For an account-aware estimate and validation, export the JSON and use [Validate and estimate](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/validate-and-estimate/).

Closing the render dialog does not cancel the cloud job. Check the dashboard for its outcome rather than starting another job solely because the dialog was closed.

## How to render an image

1. Open an **Image project** and click **Render**.
2. In **Render image**, choose **Format**: **png**, **jpg**, or **webp**.
3. Adjust **Quality** for JPG or WebP. PNG is lossless, so its quality control is disabled.
4. Enable **Transparent background** for PNG or WebP if needed. JPG does not support transparency.
5. Click **Start render**, then **Download** when the image is ready.

Image renders use one credit per output image. See [Rendering images](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/rendering-images/) for format and API details.

## How to export JSON or code

**Navigation:** **Editor → Export**.

1. Click **Export**.
2. Choose a tab:
   - **project.json** for the composition payload.
   - **Node.js**, **CLI**, or **HTTP API** for a usage snippet.
   - **Validation** for local errors and warnings.
3. Click **Copy** to copy the selected payload or code tab.
4. Click **Download JSON** to save the project JSON file.
5. Before an automated cloud render, run [hosted validation](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/validate-and-estimate/) with your account credentials.

![Zvid export dialog with project.json, Node.js, CLI, HTTP API, and Validation tabs, plus Copy and Download JSON controls.](https://docs.zvid.io/img/dashboard-guide/editor-export-dialog.png)

The local **valid for rendering** status checks editor rules. It does not prove that every remote source can be downloaded or that the payload meets your account's hosted limits.

## How to edit an element's JSON

1. Select a visual element.
2. Open **JSON → Raw element JSON** in its properties.
3. Edit the object and click **Apply**.
4. If parsing or schema errors appear, correct them before applying.
5. Use **Revert** to discard the unsubmitted JSON edits.

The whole-project **Export** dialog is for copying or downloading. Use [Import](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/projects/#how-to-import-project-json) to replace a project with edited JSON. Element actions also provide **Copy JSON** and **Paste element JSON**.

## Troubleshooting

### Validation errors block rendering

**Cause:** Local validation found invalid project fields.

**Solution:** Read the field paths and messages in the render dialog or **Export → Validation**, correct those values, and reopen **Render**. Hosted validation may report additional account or plan restrictions.

### There are not enough credits

**Cause:** The account balance cannot cover the reservation required for this render.

**Solution:** Read the required and available amounts in the error, check your balance in the dashboard, and adjust the project or add credits as appropriate. Return to the dialog and click **Try again**, then **Start render** after the issue is resolved.

### The render service cannot be reached

**Cause:** The editor could not connect to the rendering service.

**Solution:** Check your connection, then use **Try again**. If the dialog reports an expired session, sign in again. If a job was already accepted, check the dashboard before submitting a duplicate.

### A render fails after submission

**Cause:** The cloud service returned a render error.

**Solution:** Read **Render failed** and any field details. Correct the reported issue in the project, then retry. For account render records and troubleshooting, see [Projects and renders](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/dashboard/projects-and-renders/).

## What happens next

A render produces finished media; JSON export keeps the editable composition and does not create media. Keep a saved project or JSON copy when you expect to make revisions.

## Related documentation

- [Save and import projects](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/projects/)
- [Preview behavior](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/preview/)
- [Templates](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/editor/templates/)
- [Media asset requirements](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/concepts/media-assets/)
- [Validate and estimate](https://docs.zvid.io/docs/validate-and-estimate/)