How to Make Simple Animated GIFs in Photoshop

Introduction

• Presenter: Cristina from Elan Creative Co
• Goal: Create animated GIFs and save them as GIF and video
• Steps:
  1. Create the first frame and make changes to create additional frames
  2. Work with the Layers panel
  3. Add textures and change colors
  4. Create and edit the timeline for animation
  5. Save the animation as a GIF and video

Creating the First Frame

• Layers Panel:
  • Open via Window > Layers or press F7
  • Unlock the background layer by clicking the padlock
• Change Background Color:
  • Use the Paint Bucket tool
  • Select a very light pink color
• Add Text:
  • Switch to the Type tool (shortcut: T)
  • Write "how to make gifs in Photoshop" with a gold color
  • Font: Just Awesome (hand-drawn look)
  • Adjust font size and weights:
    • "how to make" in Just Awesome Regular, 300 pts for "GIFs"
    • Adjust "S" using the Character panel
  • Center the text
• Add Texture:
  • Create a new layer
  • Use the Brush tool with an off-white color and a custom texture brush
  • Add texture to the animation
  • Group and rename layers as Frame 1

Creating Additional Frames

• Frame Duplication:
  • Duplicate Frame 1 and rename to Frame 2
  • Make small changes: delete and add different textures, change text colors
• Repeat for More Frames:
  • Continue duplication and modification process for Frame 3, Frame 4, and Frame 5

Animation with Timeline Panel

• Open Timeline Panel:
  • Go to Window > Timeline
  • Select "Create Frame Animation"
  • Arrange frames by changing layer group visibility
• Animation Settings:
  • Set frame delay to 0.2 seconds
  • Set looping options to Forever
• Frame Management:
  • Create and manage frames by duplicating and making invisible layers
  • For many frames, use "Make Frames from Layers"
• Testing the GIF:
  • Use the play button
  • Ensure colors and textures are correctly animated

Saving the GIF and Video

• Save as GIF:
  • File > Export > Export for Web (older versions: Save As)
  • Set preset to GIF, adjust size if necessary
  • Important: Match size to your blog or intended platform to prevent resizing issues
  • Test by dragging into a browser
• Save as Video (for platforms like Instagram):
  • Change canvas size for square format (Image > Canvas Size)
  • Create a new layer to fill empty spaces
  • Ensure video is at least 5 seconds long by duplicating frames
  • File > Export > Render Video, then save and test

Conclusion

• Encouragement to experiment with hand lettering and textures
• Reminder to subscribe for more tutorials on Photoshop and Illustrator
• Thank you for watching!