Creating Animated GIFs

ThePlace	[ Home ] [ Search ] [ Resources ] [ Site Map ] [ Contact Me ] Dave's Information Technology Resource
[ Up ] [ Example 1 ] [ Example 2 ]

--- Creating Animated GIFs ---

GIF images are often used to create "cute" animations such as the classic "work in progress" graphic (remember the little guy digging a hole).

Useful Animated GIFs can be created with the following...

	PowerPoint
	A tool that can assemble GIF animations

How...

Create a series of slides with PowerPoint...keep this in mind.

	Adjust the page size (I recommend 8 inches by 6 inches which results in approximately 580 X 430 pixel sizes) as desired.
	Do not use templates -- keep backgrounds clean and solid (GIFs compress better with solid (i.e., limited color) images).
	Copy elements of prior slides into succeeding slides.
	Don't overdo the text on each slide.

Export the images to GIF format.

Assemble the images into an animated GIF using a GIF animation tool..

	Make sure the slides are in the proper sequence (PowerPoint will exports the files with numbers).
	Consider the delay between slides (generally 2-4 seconds depending on the content).
	Decide on the number of cycles, limited or continuous.
	The Animation wizard can be used to make assembly a quick process.

The subordinate pages show two examples of how this process can be used.