Whether you are doing it for fun or marketing purposes, GIFs are powerful media to capture the attention of your viewers. They are lightweight files meant for the web and emails, unlike videos, which are larger and take up a lot of memory. GIFs are also easy and quick to create.
Here is how you may make a GIF in Photoshop in just a few simple steps.
How to Make a GIF in Photoshop
The simplest way to make a GIF is by animating a set of photos. You can animate different types of images, from mesmerizing landscapes andmouthwatering food animationsto fun GIFs with household items like figurines and mini figures.
To have a smooth animation, ensure you use a tripod. If you shoot handheld, you may inadvertently change the composition, and your GIF may not be as perfect. If you must shoot handheld, try not to change the composition. Have an assistant help you out so that you can stay still. Shooting in burst mode is also a good idea to get many similar photos.
Once you have your pictures, you just have to load them into Photoshop. You can alsoanimate your photos online, but using Photoshop will give you more control.
Step 1: Import Your Photos Into Photoshop
If youprefer shooting in JPEGand have them ready, you can import them straight into Photoshop by going toFile>Scripts>Load Files into Stack.
Do youshoot in RAW? Then, you can add the RAW files directly from Lightroom. Select the photos and go toPhoto>Edit In>Open as Layers in Photoshop.
You will see your photos as layers in Photoshop. Limit the files to about 25 to keep your GIF short. In our example, we are using four photos.
Step 2: Create Frame Animation
To create an animation, you have to enable the Timeline window. Go toWindow>Timeline. You will be able to see the Timeline window below your image. Then clickCreate Frame Animation, and you will see an image in the Timelinewindow.
Step 3: Make Frames From Layers
Click on the small icon with horizontal lines on the right side of the Timeline window and go toMake Frames From Layers. You will see your layers as frames in the Timeline window.
Step 4: Reverse Frames
The layers will be in the reverse order. So, click on the lines icon and use theReverse Framesoption to put them in the correct order.
Step 5: Adjust the Speed
Select all the frames and adjust the time to get your desired speed. Try different rates to get the look you want, and press thePlaybutton to preview it. We used 0.2 seconds for our animation.
Step 6: Export Your GIF
If everything looks good, go toFile>Export>Save for Web (Legacy).
On the bottom right, you will seePercentnear theImage Size. Change it to 25% to reduce the file size. you may also edit theImage Sizeif you have a specific size in mind. PressSaveand give your GIF file a name. Remember, you have to open the GIF with your browser to see it.
Here is our result:
Making GIFs in Photoshop Is Simple and Straightforward
If you’re using only images on your website or in marketing emails, it is time to change that. GIFs are a sure way to catch your viewers' eyes and boost your brand, and you can make them with Photoshop in minutes. Whenever you want to create one, refer back to this simple guide.
