GIFs always look more attractive than normal images. Making GIFs is not as tough as you think. You can do it in Photoshop with a few simple steps. Do you want to learn how to make a gif on Photoshop?
You can make a gif in Photoshop by using its create frame animation tool in the timeline window. Select the images or videos you want to convert into a gif and adjust the settings as per your requirements to make the gif.
Nonetheless, such photoshop gif tutorials require a practical step-by-step guide. Let’s start learning how to create a gif in photoshop.
How To Make A Gif In Photoshop: Step-By-Step Guide
You may have tried several photoshop gif tutorials online, but most of those don’t work or are outdated. We have simplified the process of how to make gif photoshop so that everyone can understand the instructions easily.
Before jumping into the tutorial, look at the gif we will be making today. If you like this gif and want to make similar gifs, continue scrolling.
Upload images: If you have images ready, go to File>Scripts>Load Files into Stock from Photoshop like the screenshot below.
We have used Adobe Photoshop CC 2022 to make this GIF. If you have installed an earlier version, the process is the same.
Follow the step-by-step guide on how to make gif on Photoshop:
Step 1: Select/Create Images to Make Gif
First, you need to select the images and upload them to Photoshop. If you don’t have any images, you also can make a few using the editing software.
Upload images: If you have images ready, go to File>Scripts>Load Files into Stock from Photoshop like the screenshot below.
When a Load Layers window like the below screenshot appears, click on Browse to select and upload photos.
For making a gif, you will need at least two photos. After uploading the photos, click on OK.
Creating new graphics: If you are familiar with Photoshop, you know that you can use the software to design graphics for your gif.
Go to File and select New for creating a new image.
Then select your desired size and click on create.
Finally, start designing your image to prepare it for making the gif. Whenever you add a new element, go to Layer>New>Layer first and then add the elements to optimize it for a gif file better.
Uploading a video: You also can make gifs from videos. For that, select File>Import>Video Frames to Layer.
It will create multiple image frames from your video. Photoshop may cut the video short and use only a few frames if the video is too long.
Step 2: Open Timeline Window
From here on, all the steps are the same whether you have selected ready images, new graphics, or video files. We are using ready graphics for the photoshop gif tutorials.
Now, go to Window and select Timeline.
A new timeline window will appear at the bottom, which looks like the following image. The timeline will allow you to control the setting for different layers of your gif.
Step 3: Select Create Frame Animation
If create frame animation is not selected by default, click on the drop-down icon and select Create Frame Animation.
Now the Timeline Window will appear like this:
Step 4: Select All Layers
Again go to the navigation menu and click on Select>All Layer. It enables you to use all layers and use the software as a static image to gif converter.
Step 5: Create New Layer for Each New Frame
Now click on the two bars or menu icon on the top right corner of the Timeline Window. Select Create New Layer for Each New Frame.
Step 6: Make Frames From Layers
Again go to the same menu and Make Frames From New Layers option.
After that, all the frames will appear on the Timeline Window like the following Photoshop screenshot. As we are using three separate images to create the gif, here you can see three frames.
Step 7: Select Time for Each Frame
Now select the time limit for each frame before it shifts to the next one. Click on the time bar below every frame to select the time limit.
You can choose any time you want, but 0.5 to 2 seconds are best for images to gif and no delay for video frames.
We have selected 0.5 seconds for all of our images. That means the images will change every half second.
Step 8: Select a Loop
Next, select the loop time for the gif. It means how many times the frames will repeat themselves. You will find the button below the frames in the Timeline Window. By default, it will be selected to Forever
You can change it to Once for videos as the scene will complete after one run. We have opted for loop Forever for our gif file.
Step 9: Preview GIF
There’s nothing much to do with the image, and we are almost at the end. Before you save the file, preview it to see if everything looks okay.
There is a play button on the bottom bar of the Timeline Window. Click on it to play the gif file on Photoshop and check if you like it.
If you think anything is not okay and the gif is unattractive, you can make necessary changes before you convert image to gif.
Step 10: Save
After you are satisfied with your gif file, you can move on to saving it. Go to File>Export>Save for Web(Legacy).
A new Save for Web window will appear on the screen. Here you can modify the settings for your gif file. Click on the preset drop-down menu and select GIF 128 Dithered for the highest quality. As per Adobe, the higher the number you select, the better the quality of the gif.
You also can do other modifications here, such as changing image sizes, quality, and looping options. Once you are done with everything, click on Save and store the gif file on your computer.
Here’s what it looks like:
Congratulations! You have successfully created your first gif on Photoshop!
Different Usage Of GIFs And Their Benefits
People are still unaware of different usage of gifs and their advantages. Knowing about them can be useful to you in many ways.
Some of the types of gif and their benefits are:
360° GIF
Similar to the 360-degree image, it is also possible to make 360 gif. While 360 degree product photography attracts customers well, 360 gifs can be a better way.
Gif For Blog Posts
Everyone uses still images in their blog posts. You don’t necessarily have to limit your articles to such images. Adding gifs to your posts will make your posts different from others, and readers will find them more interesting.
Gifs don’t need to be played like a video but serve a similar purpose as short clips. You can try making live gif of your travel photos or videos and then add them to your blog post.
GIF As A Marketing Tool
Turning a 360 product photo or a 360 product video into a product 360 gif will enable you to market your products better. Promoting products or services in unique ways always helps to attract more potential customers.
Try to illustrate your product or services through gifs. Then use them to promote in different places to convert viewers into consumers.
GIFs On Social Media
Started with Pinterest, now all other social media sites allow you to share gifs. You will see everyone posting images on these platforms, but how many of them share gifs? Making gifs using a gif image editor in Photoshop and uploading them on social media sites can be fun.
Gifs are also used in chats in messenger apps. They are fun ways to express your feelings. It has been a popular trend among teenagers lately.
Gif For Email
You also can add gifs to your Email copies. Using them in similar ways as messenger and blog posts can create a good impression for you in the reader’s mind. More importantly, if you are promoting your business through email, using gifs can increase the conversion rate.
How to Animate in Photoshop?
You can animate images or videos using the create frame animation tool on Photoshop. Upload the images or videos first, split them into frames, and make necessary settings to turn them into an animated gif. Photoshop animation is one of the most effective ways to animate different scenes.
Can You Put a GIF in Photoshop?
You can put a GIF in Photoshop by going to File>Scripts>Load Files into Stack. Select create frame animation from the timeline window to split the gif into different frames. You can convert the gif to image through this process, or you also can put the gif on other photos.
Conclusion
This is how to make a gif in photoshop. First, practice the whole process with some sample images and then create the design you want. We hope the guidelines were crystal clear to you. Best of luck to you in making your first gif on Photoshop.