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Export Formats ​

EmberBoard supports multiple export formats to integrate with different workflows. This guide explains each export format and when to use it.

Available Export Formats ​

Storyboard ​

PDF Storyboard (.pdf) ​

Purpose: Visual presentation format with images and script content.

  • Professional layout with beat images and script text
  • Multiple layout options:
    • Detailed (1 per page): One beat per page with large image and full script
    • 2-Up: Two beats per page, side by side
    • 4-Up (2x2 grid): Four beats per page in a grid layout
    • 6-Up (2x3 grid): Six beats per page for overview sheets
  • Includes timecodes, beat numbers, and scene headings
  • Cover page with project name and date
  • Page numbers on every page

Use Case: Client presentations, pitch decks, production meetings, printing for crew

How to Export: Menu Bar > Export > PDF Storyboard > [Choose Layout]

Layout Guide:

  • Detailed: Best for client reviews, detailed script reading (1-5 beats)
  • 2-Up: Good balance for production planning (5-20 beats)
  • 4-Up: Compact overview for longer sequences (10-50 beats)
  • 6-Up: Contact sheet style for quick reference (20+ beats)

Scripts ​

Fountain Script (.fountain) ​

Purpose: Export your screenplay in industry-standard Fountain format.

  • Plain text markup format
  • Compatible with Highland, Final Draft, WriterDuet, and other screenwriting software
  • Human-readable and version control friendly
  • Includes scene headings and script content from all beats

Use Case: Script distribution to cast/crew, screenplay development, collaborative writing

How to Export: Menu Bar > Export > Fountain Script

CSV Beat List (.csv) ​

Purpose: Export beat information as a spreadsheet.

  • Opens in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc
  • Contains: Beat #, Title, Scene Heading, Duration, Timecodes, Image status, Script preview
  • Useful for production planning and shot lists

Use Case: Production planning, script supervision, shot tracking, data analysis

How to Export: Menu Bar > Export > CSV Beat List

Editorial (NLE Import) ​

EDL - Edit Decision List (.edl) ​

Purpose: Import timeline into video editing software.

  • CMX 3600 format (industry standard since 1970s)
  • Supported by Avid, Premiere, Resolve, Final Cut Pro
  • Contains clip sequence, timings, and transitions
  • References image files by name

Use Case: Quick timeline assembly in NLE software, rough cut creation

How to Export: Menu Bar > Export > EDL (Edit List)

Important: This exports only the EDL file. You'll need to manually copy images or use "EDL + Images (ZIP)" for a complete package.

EDL + Images Package (.zip) ​

Purpose: Complete package ready to import into NLE software.

  • Contains EDL file + images folder
  • Images are sequentially numbered (001_beat_title.png, etc.)
  • Self-contained, ready to import
  • Recommended format for editorial handoff

Use Case: Sending timeline to editors, creating animatics, NLE import

How to Export: Menu Bar > Export > EDL + Images (ZIP)

Package Structure:

ProjectName_edl_package.zip
├── ProjectName.edl
└── images/
    ├── 001_opening_shot.png
    ├── 002_establishing.png
    └── 003_close_up.png

Images ​

Image Sequence (.zip) ​

Purpose: Export all images as sequential numbered files.

  • Sequential numbering: 001_beat_title.png, 002_beat_title.png, etc.
  • Maintains original image quality
  • Includes beat title in filename for easy identification
  • Packaged in ZIP for easy download

Use Case: Manual NLE import, PowerPoint presentations, image backup, custom workflows

How to Export: Menu Bar > Export > Image Sequence (ZIP)

Export Behavior ​

Timeline Order ​

All exports use timeline order (beats sorted by x-position in the node editor).

Shelved Beats ​

Beats on the shelf are excluded from all exports. Only beats in the active timeline are exported.

Missing Images ​

If a beat has no image, it will:

  • Fountain/CSV: Export normally (image not required)
  • EDL: Include the beat in the timeline with no source file reference
  • Image exports: Skip that beat (warn in console)

Frame Rate ​

All timecodes and durations use the project's FPS setting (default: 24fps).

Workflow Examples ​

Scenario 1: Script Distribution ​

Goal: Share the screenplay with actors and crew

  1. Export > Fountain Script
  2. Send the .fountain file
  3. Recipients can open in any screenwriting software or text editor

Scenario 2: NLE Timeline Creation ​

Goal: Import storyboard into Premiere/Resolve for animatic

  1. Export > EDL + Images (ZIP)
  2. Extract the ZIP file
  3. In your NLE:
    • Import the EDL file
    • Point to the images folder when prompted
    • Timeline will be assembled automatically with correct timings

Scenario 3: Production Planning ​

Goal: Create a shot list for the production team

  1. Export > CSV Beat List
  2. Open in Excel or Google Sheets
  3. Add columns for: Camera, Lens, Notes, Status
  4. Share with production team

Scenario 4: Client Presentation ​

Goal: Show storyboard to client/stakeholders

Option A - PDF Storyboard (Recommended):

  1. Export > PDF Storyboard > Detailed (1 per page)
  2. Send PDF or print for meeting
  3. Professional format with images, script, and timecodes

Option B - Image Sequence:

  1. Export > Image Sequence (ZIP)
  2. Extract images
  3. Insert into PowerPoint/Keynote with timings

Option C - EDL Package:

  1. Export > EDL + Images (ZIP)
  2. Import into NLE
  3. Export as video for client review

Browser vs Electron ​

All exports work in both browser and Electron modes:

  • Browser: Downloads files/ZIP archives
  • Electron: (Future) Will optionally save directly to disk

Images are handled transparently:

  • Browser: Exports blob URLs from memory
  • Electron: Copies physical files from project folder

Technical Details ​

Timecode Format ​

Timecodes use HH:MM:SS:FF format (Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames)

Example at 24fps:

  • 3.5 seconds = 00:00:03:12 (3 seconds + 12 frames)

EDL Format ​

Uses CMX 3600 standard:

TITLE: Project Name
FCM: NON-DROP FRAME

001  AX       V     C        00:00:00:00 00:00:03:12 00:00:00:00 00:00:03:12
* FROM CLIP NAME: 001_opening_shot
* SOURCE FILE: images/001_opening_shot.png

Filename Sanitization ​

Special characters (<>:"/\|?*) are replaced with underscores in filenames.

Troubleshooting ​

"No beats in timeline to export" ​

Solution: Make sure you have beats in the timeline (not all on the shelf).

"No images found to export" ​

Solution: Add images to your beats, or use text-only exports (Fountain, CSV, EDL).

Images don't show up in NLE ​

Solution:

  1. Verify the images folder is in the same location as the EDL
  2. Check that image paths in the EDL are correct (should be images/001_name.png)
  3. Make sure your NLE supports still images in the format exported (PNG)

ZIP download fails ​

Solution:

  1. Check browser console for errors
  2. Ensure you have enough disk space
  3. Try exporting individual formats (Fountain, EDL) instead of packages

Future Export Formats ​

Planned for future releases:

  • DOCX Script - Formatted screenplay for Word/LibreOffice
  • FCP XML - Modern Final Cut Pro timeline format
  • AAF - Advanced Authoring Format for high-end workflows