Select File > Export > AAF to access the AAF Export Settings dialog box.
Last updated on
Apr 2, 2026
Learn to create and share AAF files in Adobe Premiere for continuous media exchange with professional editing and audio tools.
Advanced Authoring Format (AAF) is a multimedia file format used to exchange digital media and metadata between different platforms and applications. Authoring tools like Avid Media Composer can read and write AAF files based on their level of support for the format.
On Windows (Intel and Arm), embedded AAF files larger than 2 GB are no longer supported and will fail to export. For large AAFs, export with separate audio instead of embedded audio.
Note
- AAF files exported from Premiere are compatible with Avid Media Composer and Avid Pro Tools, but they have not been tested with other AAF importers.
- Transitions appear only between two clips, not at the beginning or end of a clip. Each clip must be at least as long as the transition.
- If a clip has transitions at both the In and Out points, it must be as long as the combined duration of both transitions.
- When naming clips and sequences in Premiere, avoid using special characters, accented characters, or symbols that can affect XML file parsing, such as /, >, <, ®, and ü.
- AAF files exported from Premiere and imported into Avid Media Composer don't automatically relink to the source footage. To relink, use the Batch Import option in Avid Media Composer.
- Merged clips are not supported in AAF export and must be unmerged before exporting.
Configure your export options according to the requirements of your destination application and workflow.
|
Callout |
Title |
Description |
|
A |
Mixdown video |
Renders all video tracks into a single MXF clip using the DNxHD or DNxHR codec, saving it next to the AAF file. If not selected, the AAF links to each video file as a separate clip. |
|
B |
Use tape sources when present |
Writes Tape Name metadata (if available) into the AAF so other applications can relink using it. If this option is unchecked or missing, the AAF uses the File Name instead. |
|
C |
Breakout to Mono - Enable |
Renders new audio instead of linking to existing files when checked. Use this when sending your project to an audio application. The AAF and rendered audio are in mono, with stereo clips split into tracks labeled Left and Right. If unchecked, the AAF links to existing audio and keeps the original channelization. |
|
D |
Render audio clip effects |
Renders all audio effects into the AAF audio files so they play correctly in the destination application. |
|
E |
Include clip copies without effects |
Creates a clean copy of each audio file without effects when the Render audio clip effects option is selected, providing the destination with both versions. The clean copy appears on a new, separate track. |
|
F |
Sample Rate |
Sets the sample rate of the new audio files. |
|
G |
Bits per Sample |
Sets the bit depth of the new audio files. |
|
H |
Files |
Chooses how audio is included in the AAF. Select Embed Audio to include files in a single, self-contained AAF, or Separate Audio to place them in a folder next to the AAF. Separate Audio preserves more metadata and allows reuse of unchanged audio files in future exports. |
|
I |
Preserve media directory name |
Places new audio files in a folder structure like the original media when Separate Audio is selected. |
|
J |
Format |
Sets the audio format of the new files. Select Broadcast Wave to include iXML metadata. |
|
K |
Render |
Determines how audio is copied. Select Copy Complete Audio Files to include full files, or Trim Audio Files to include only the parts used in the sequence. |
|
L |
Handle Frames |
Adds extra audio before and after clips (in frames) when Trim Audio Files is selected, giving additional handle length. |
Select OK to confirm your settings.
Select a location to save, enter a filename for your AAF file, and select Save.
Tip
For Avid Media Composer, select Use tape sources when present only. This links to the original media and preserves audio channelization.
For Avid Pro Tools, select Enable Breakout to Mono. Optionally, select Files, Separate Audio, Format, and Render and Handle Frames based on your workflow or audio mixer’s request. The Broadcast Wave format preserves iXML metadata.
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