Chapter 7: Exporting and Submitting Work
This chapter explains how to turn student work into finished files and submit it reliably.
Because Brush Ninja does not store projects on its servers, exporting is essential. Until a file is exported, the work only exists temporarily in the browser.
Leave time for exporting
Exporting and uploading always takes longer than students expect.
Try to leave at least five minutes at the end of the lesson for:
- exporting
- renaming files
- checking playback
- uploading submissions
What exporting means
When students export their work, the app creates a file and downloads it to the device being used. This file can then be uploaded, shared, or stored like any other document.
If the page refreshes or the device logs out before exporting, the work may be lost. Exporting should be treated as part of completing the task, not as an optional extra.
When to export
Most problems happen when students leave exporting until the end of the lesson.
Encourage exporting during longer sessions, after major changes, and at the end of each lesson. This creates simple backups and reduces the risk of lost work.
A clear reminder helps:
No export means no submission.
Exporting animations
The Animation Maker exports work as animated GIF files.
Students export by choosing the download option, selecting GIF format, entering a clear file name, and saving the file. Once exported, they should open the file to check that it plays correctly.
Larger or more detailed animations may take a few seconds to export.
Exporting other work
Other Brush Ninja tools export images, PDFs, or documents.
These files are often given generic names, so renaming is important. For more on naming and organisation, see Managing Student Files.
File formats
Different tools produce different file types. Most animation work will be GIFs, while drawings are usually PNG or JPG, and comics may be PDFs.
Be clear about which format you expect for each task. This avoids incompatible uploads and unnecessary resubmissions.
Where files are saved
On most devices, exported files are saved in the Downloads folder.
Students should know how to open this folder, find recent files, and rename them if needed. On tablets, files may appear in a Files app or download manager.
Preview before submitting
Students should open and preview exported files before submitting them.
This helps catch all sorts of issues, such as:
- incomplete exports
- wrong file types
- missing animation
- accidental blank frames
Submitting work
Once exported, students submit their files using your usual systems.
The exact method will vary, but the process is always the same: upload the file and check that it appears correctly. Students should confirm their submission before finishing.
Teaching the full process
Students often struggle because they only learn part of the workflow.
Demonstrate the full sequence clearly:
Export → Rename → Preview → Upload → Check
Repeating this consistently helps it become routine.
Shared devices
On shared computers and Chromebooks, storage may be temporary.
Students should export and submit work within the same lesson wherever possible. Do not rely on files remaining on the device between sessions.
File size and performance
Large files can be slow to upload or may be rejected by some systems.
If this happens, reducing the number of frames, lowering the canvas size, or simplifying the animation usually helps.
Student submission checklist
Before finishing, students should check:
- the file has exported
- the file has a clear name
- the animation opens correctly
- the correct version has been uploaded
- the submission appears in the right place
Common problems
- If an export fails, try again or refresh the page.
- If a file will not open, check the format and try opening it in a browser.
- If a file cannot be found, check the Downloads folder first.
- If a file uploads but does not play correctly, re-export and preview before submitting again.
Classroom routines
Simple routines make exporting reliable.
Five-minute export warnings, clear file naming rules, and end-of-lesson checks prevent most problems. Consistency is more important than strict rules.
Bringing it all together
At this point, you have a complete workflow:
Students create work, export it, organise files, submit them, and receive feedback.
Once these routines are in place, lessons run more smoothly and students can focus on the creative and learning aspects of animation.
Where to go next
You can now extend this into longer projects, cross-curricular work, or more creative tasks.
Explore more ideas in the teaching guides or try building a sequence of lessons using the same workflow.
