Below is the eighth episode of the Adobe Photoshop Mega Series . Today's topic is an excellent and unique aspect of Photoshop : animation and GIF making .
Adobe Photoshop (Part 8): Photoshop Animation and GIF Masterclass Bring Still Images to Life
Written by : Team Daily Tech News
Website: Tech News 24
Assalamu Alaikum. In the last seven episodes of the Photoshop series, we have learned almost all the ins and outs of still image editing. Today we will learn how to create small moving images or animations using Photoshop. Many people may think that animation requires only heavy software like 'After Effects' or 'Premiere Pro'. But you will be surprised to know that funny Facebook GIFs, website banner animations or short video editing tasks can be done very easily in Photoshop.
In today's mega guide, we will learn how to create frame-by-frame animations using the timeline. This will make your social media posts much more interesting than others.
Chapter 56: How does animation actually work in Photoshop?
The key to animation is the illusion of vision. When a series of still images flash past your eyes very quickly, our brain thinks the object is moving. There are two main ways to do this in Photoshop:
1. Frame Animation: Where you arrange each frame differently (like old-fashioned cartoons).
2. Video Timeline: Where you use keyframes to move objects from one place to another (similar to modern motion graphics).
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| A nice logo animation created using Photoshop. |
Chapter 57: Introduction to the Timeline Panel
To start the animation, you first need to launch the Timeline panel.
- Method : Click Window > Timeline from the menu bar.
- In the middle of the panel you will find two options: Create Video Timeline and Create Frame Animation.
- To begin with, we will start with Frame Animation , because it is easier to understand.
Chapter 58: Step-by-Step Guide: Create Your First GIF
Let's make a Blinking Neon Sign.
Step 1: Arrange the layers First, write your text on a black background (let's say "OPEN"). Now make a copy of this layer (Ctrl + J). Make the color of the top layer a little darker or duller. Now you have two layers—one bright and one dull.
Step 2: Create Frame Animation Click Create Frame Animation from the Timeline panel. You will see the first frame. Click the 'New Frame' icon at the bottom of the panel to take another frame.
Step 3: Control layer visibility With the first frame selected, keep the bright layer on from the layers panel. Now select the second frame, turn off the bright layer and turn on the dim layer.
Step 4: Set the Delay Time. Each frame has '0 sec' written below it. Click there and set it to 0.5 seconds or your desired time.
Step 5: Set Looping If it says 'Once' below, change it to 'Forever'. Now click the 'Play' button. You will see your neon sign flashing on and off!
Chapter 59: Advanced Animation Using the Video Timeline
If you want your logo to float from the left side of the screen to the right, you need to use the Video Timeline .
- Here each layer is seen as a video track.
- If you click on the small arrow next to the layer, you will see the stopwatch icon for Position, Opacity, and Style .
- Put a keyframe at the beginning, move the slider in the timeline a little forward, and move the object. Photoshop will automatically create the movement in the middle.
Chapter 60: Animating the sky or water in a picture (Cinemagraph)
A cinemagraph is a type of image where the entire image remains still but a specific part moves (e.g., smoke rising from a teacup or water falling from a fountain).
1. Open a short video clip in Photoshop.
2. Place a still frame (screenshot) of the video on top of everything.
3. Now take a mask on the top layer and use the brush to erase only the part where you want to show movement.
4. When you play, you will see that part of the video is visible through the still image. This is currently very popular for Instagram ads.
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| Cinemagraph gives your still images a premium look. |
Chapter 61: Animated Social Media Banner Design
When you create an offer or discount banner, it's easier to catch people's attention if the text "500 taka discount" vibrates or changes color.
- Tips : Always try to keep the animation simple. Too much movement can be distracting. Animating the logo, text, and call-to-action (e.g. Order Now) button is most effective.
Chapter 62: Proper rules for saving and exporting as GIF
After you finish your animation, you can't just save it as a regular JPG or PNG. You need to export it in a special way.
- Method : Go to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy).
- Format : Select GIF from here .
- Color : Always keep the color at 256 for good quality.
- Looping option: Make sure it is set to 'Forever'.
- Finally, click the 'Save' button to save your file.
Chapter 63: Exporting as Video (MP4 Format)
If you want to upload your animation as a Facebook or YouTube video, you will need to export it in MP4 format.
- Go to File > Export > Render Video.
- From here, select the format H.264 and the resolution 1080p or as per your requirement. Then click on 'Render' and it will be saved as a video.
Chapter 64: 3 Common Mistakes During Animation
1. Large file size: If the GIF file has too many frames, the file size increases significantly, which takes time to load on the website. Delete unnecessary frames.
2. Uneven animation: If the time difference between two frames is too large, the movement may appear jerky.
3. Lack of colors: The GIF format only has 256 colors. So, too many gradients or subtle color work doesn't look good in GIFs.
Photoshop animation will add a new dimension to your designing career. In today's mega guide, we have discussed almost all the techniques to make a still image come alive. When you give a client an animated banner instead of just an image, the value of your work will increase a lot.
How did you like this episode? Did you manage to create your first GIF? If you have any problems, let us know in the comments. Daily Tech News is always committed to introducing you to new technologies.
In the next episode, we'll learn Photoshop 3D and mockup design to superimpose your designs onto realistic 3D objects. Until then, keep practicing!
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