export_frame

Export a single frame from a composition as a PNG, JPEG, or TIFF image using aerender. Provide either time (seconds) or frame (integer frame number).

SERVERAe SOURCE@synthetic-ai/ae-mcp

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 63 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/synthetic-ai-ae-mcp/export-frame.md

WHAT IT DOES

What export_frame does on Ae

AI agents use export_frame to create or update resources in Ae, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Ae environment.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`time`	number	—	Time in seconds. Used if frame not provided. Defaults to 0.
`frame`	number	—	Integer frame number. Takes priority over time.
`compName`	string	Yes	Composition name.
`timeoutMs`	number	—
`outputPath`	string	Yes	Output file path (.png, .jpg, or .tif).
`projectPath`	string	Yes	Absolute path to the .aep file.

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why export_frame is rated Medium

An AI agent can call export_frame faster than any human can review: one bad instruction and it creates or modifies resources in Ae by the hundred, each call as confident as the last.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs export_frame safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Ae, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For export_frame, this is the rule to start with:

export_frame Rate-limited

export_frame stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "export_frame": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "export_frame_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Ae, apply this rule, and every export_frame call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about export_frame

What does the export_frame tool do? +

Export a single frame from a composition as a PNG, JPEG, or TIFF image using aerender. Provide either time (seconds) or frame (integer frame number). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Ae MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does export_frame accept? +

export_frame accepts 6 parameters: time, frame, compName, timeoutMs, outputPath, projectPath. Required: compName, outputPath, projectPath. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on export_frame? +

Register the Ae MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for export_frame: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Ae. Nothing to install.

What risk level is export_frame? +

export_frame is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit export_frame? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the export_frame rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block export_frame completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for export_frame. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides export_frame? +

export_frame is provided by the Ae MCP server (@synthetic-ai/ae-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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