Choose an output format
Compare video, PNG frames, spritesheet metadata, and engine packages, including transparency and entitlement requirements.
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Start with the destination
For a quick inspection, download PNG frames ZIP. For a custom runtime, use a spritesheet and its matching JSON. For an engine import, choose the package for that engine and read the included instructions.
The Web export dialog initially selects PNG frames ZIP. The one-click Public API defaults to spritesheet when output_formats is omitted. Specify formats explicitly if a pipeline depends on a particular artifact.
Format guide
| API format | What you receive | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
clip_video |
Selected MP4 clip; opaque | Review, ordinary video playback |
webm_alpha |
WebM with alpha | Compatible alpha-video players; test target support |
prores_4444 |
ProRes 4444 with alpha | Compositing and video editing |
gif |
Animated GIF; optional transparency | Sharing short animations |
frames_zip |
ZIP of PNG frames | Inspect individual frames or custom import |
spritesheet |
PNG texture atlas | A single packed texture |
spritesheet_json |
Matching frame metadata | Frame rectangles and timing |
unity_meta |
Unity texture metadata | Pair with the matching spritesheet |
unity_pack |
Unity-oriented ZIP | Atlas, metadata, JSON, manifest, instructions |
godot_pack |
Godot 4-oriented ZIP | SpriteFrames and AnimatedSprite2D resources |
unreal_paper2d_pack |
Unreal Paper2D-oriented ZIP | PNG atlas and Paper2D sprite description |
cocos_creator_pack |
Cocos Creator 3.x-oriented ZIP | PNG/PLIST atlas and example player |
construct3_pack |
Construct 3 animation import pack | PNG frames, native import settings, reference atlas and instructions |
For Construct 3, extract the outer pack and load the inner animation.zip through the Sprite Animations Editor's top-toolbar Load animations command. The settings carry frame order, FPS, loop and origin. Follow the tested Construct 3 import guide for screenshots, playback checks and the r495.2 right-click import caveat, or download the sample pack. This is not a .c3p project or an addon.
Metadata formats are not standalone images. Request or keep the matching texture. Treat returned outputs as the actual artifact list rather than assuming one particular array position or extension.
Transparency is a source-and-format contract
Ordinary MP4 and the raw generated video remain opaque. Transparent PNGs, atlases, engine resources, WebM Alpha, and ProRes 4444 require appropriate source and export settings.
The Public API supports transparency only for Alpha Key sources. It does not remove arbitrary backgrounds. See transparent animation.
A player may ignore an alpha channel even when it exists in the file. Test in the target application; use PNG frames or a suitable editor to distinguish a display limitation from an export problem.
Import engine packages intact
Engine ZIPs include animgen-manifest.json and instructions. Keep their relative paths intact. Godot resources refer to their package paths; Unreal Paper2D import requires the relevant engine tooling.
Frame rectangles in the manifest use a top-left origin; normalized pivot coordinates use a bottom-left origin. Read the manifest rather than guessing from the texture dimensions. Verify frame order, timing, scale, pivot, and transparency in a small test scene before using the result throughout a project.
Credits, access, and downloads
Free web access includes GIF and PNG frames ZIP. Advanced formats require paid export entitlement; having credits and having a format entitlement are separate checks. See credits and access.
Files are exposed as assets with short-lived signed download links. Save the file, not the URL. API callers should follow polling and downloads.
Finish the import in your engine
Continue with Unity, Godot 4, Unreal Paper2D, or Cocos Creator 3. Each guide matches the actual package files, paths, and playback helpers; it does not imply every engine has been runtime-tested.
For Construct 3, use the step-by-step import guide, verified with the downloadable sample in r495.2.
See canvas and pivot for placement and transparent format compatibility for video compositing.
If you are deciding between the three Alpha-capable general-purpose exports, see the measured WebM Alpha vs ProRes 4444 vs PNG sequence comparison.
For a 2D game runtime, the measured sprite sheet vs PNG sequence comparison covers package size, decoded RGBA baselines, metadata, and maximum texture dimensions using the same 96 frames.
GIF export
GIF export is available to free accounts alongside PNG frames ZIP. Select GIF in the export dialog; both Studio and Advanced Editor export the final frames, including edits. Studio GIFs repeat; Advanced Editor preserves its loop setting. After export, select the job to preview the GIF and see its file size.
GIF supports up to 256 palette colors and binary transparency, so soft shadows and glow can change. Timing is rounded to 10 ms while preserving the total duration to that precision. Use at most 50 FPS. Reduce dimensions, frame rate, or clip length for smaller files. AI generation and paid matting still use their existing quotes; GIF encoding adds no credit charge or commercial-use entitlement.
For Public API/MCP, request output_formats: ["gif"] with frame_count. The separate fps sampling mode remains limited to spritesheet plus JSON. GIF uses the selected duration and frame count.
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