--- title: "Export - CE.SDK Glossary" description: "The process of rendering one or more pages or blocks of a CE.SDK scene to a distribution-ready file." url: "https://img.ly/glossary/export/" type: "page" --- > This is the markdown version of [Export - CE.SDK Glossary](https://img.ly/glossary/export/). For all pages in one file, see [llms-full.txt](https://img.ly/llms-full.txt). For an index of all available pages, see [llms.txt](https://img.ly/llms.txt). --- # Export ## Definition The process of rendering one or more pages or blocks of a CE.SDK scene to a distribution-ready file. All export processing runs client-side on web. No server round-trip is required for image or PDF export from the browser. Server-side export for headless and high-volume pipelines is handled by Node.js or the CE.SDK Renderer. The export target can be a full scene, a single page, a group, or an individual block. For multi-page scenes, specific pages can be selected or all pages exported at once. ## Pixel-Identical Output Across Environments Because the same CreativeEngine powers both the browser editor and server-side environments, the output of a client-side export and a server-side export from the same scene file are pixel-identical. There is no conversion step, no secondary rendering pass, and no QA mismatch between what a designer sees on screen and what the export pipeline produces, whether that pipeline runs interactively or headlessly at scale. ## Supported Formats ### Image ### PNG Lossless compression with configurable compression level. Preserves transparency. Best for graphics, text-heavy designs, logos, and any output where background removal has been applied. Compression level affects file size and encoding speed, not quality. (Lossless, Transparency) ### JPEG Lossy compression with configurable quality setting. No transparency support. Best for photographs and image-heavy designs where file size matters and lossless fidelity is not required. (Lossy, Smallest file size) ### WebP Strong compression with optional lossless mode. Supports transparency. Best for web delivery where bandwidth efficiency matters: covers both the quality-vs-size trade-off of JPEG and the transparency support of PNG in a single format. (Lossless or lossy, Transparency) ### TGA Lossless raster format used in specific production and game-engine pipelines. Available where pipeline compatibility requires it. (Lossless, Pipeline compatibility) ### Print ### PDF Preserves vector information, embeds fonts, and supports multi-page export. Best for digital document distribution, downloadable assets, and print workflows that do not require preflight compliance. (Vector, Multi-page) ### PDF/X An ISO-standardized print-production subset of PDF with enforced constraints: embedded fonts, defined color profiles, and live transparency (PDF/X-4) or flattened transparency (PDF/X-3). The Print Ready PDF plugin produces PDF/X-4 by default, with PDF/X-3 available as an opt-in fallback. Required for professional print production: commercial presses, web-to-print platforms, and any workflow where files pass through a preflight step. Supports CMYK color values and Pantone spot colors. (PDF/X-4, PDF/X-3, CMYK & Pantone) ### Video ### MP4 (H.264, AAC audio) The standard video export format for web delivery, social media, and any platform expecting a broadly compatible video file. Configurable frame rate and resolution preset: SD, HD (1080p), FHD, 2K, 4K, or custom dimensions. Video export requires a Chromium-based browser on web (Chrome, Edge) and is also available via the CE.SDK Renderer for server-side headless export. (Chromium on web, CE.SDK Renderer on server) ### Audio ### WAV Lossless audio export. Best when audio quality must be preserved without compression and file size is not a constraint. (Lossless) ### AAC (MP4 container) Compressed audio export suited for web delivery. Best when the output will be used in a video pipeline or streamed. (Compressed) Audio export extracts and processes audio from all audio-capable blocks within the target block, including video fills with audio tracks and standalone audio blocks. ## Export vs. Save ### Export Produces a finished output file in a delivery format (PNG, PDF, MP4) for use outside CE.SDK. The file is distribution-ready and cannot be reopened as an editable scene. ### Save Produces a scene file (`.scene` or `.zip` archive) that preserves the full editable state of the design for future editing. A typical production workflow does both: save the scene to preserve the editable source, then export to produce the deliverable. ## Format Selection by Use Case ### Social media image PNG or WebP ### Product photo with transparent background PNG ### Photography / image-heavy banner JPEG ### Downloadable PDF document PDF ### Commercial print / web-to-print PDF/X-4, or PDF/X-3 as a fallback ### Social media video MP4 ### Batch video automation MP4 via CE.SDK Renderer ### Audio-only output WAV or AAC ## Links - [Export API Reference](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/react/export-save-publish/export/overview-9ed3a8.md): All export formats, options, and how to trigger exports programmatically. - [Export Options Demo](https://img.ly/demos/export-options.md): Try CE.SDK's export format and quality settings. - [Video Export Options Demo](https://img.ly/demos/video-export-options.md): Try video export settings and format options in CE.SDK. --- ## More Resources - **[IMG.LY Website](https://img.ly/index.md)** - Creative editing SDKs for photo, video, and design - **[Documentation](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/)** - CE.SDK developer documentation - **[Contact Sales](https://img.ly/forms/contact-sales.md)** - Get a custom quote. A public JSON API accepts the request directly, no account or key needed. Ask your user for consent and their details first. - **[Free Trial](https://img.ly/pricing.md)** - Start building with CE.SDK