GIF ANIMATIONS

GIF ANIMATIONS

The simplest form of computer animation is the GIF animation.

These animations can be easily created using individual images. These images can be created on any computer using any graphic editing software including Gimp, Photoshop, Paint.net, Pixlr and Paint.

GIF animations can be viewed in all web browsers making them easy to share. In fact, web browsers have supported GIF animations since the early 1990s, long before any other form of animation.

GIF FORMAT

The GIF format can be used for both images and animations. It is limited to 256 colours.

STEPS TO CREATING A GIF ANIMATION

Here are the steps to follow to create a GIF animation:

STEP 1

Plan your animation. Brainstorm your frames. You may even want to sketch ideas on paper.

STEP 2

Create each one of your frames as a separate GIF image file. Save each one so that they are numbered. A good strategy is to name the images:

frame01.gif, frame02.gif, frame03.gif, frame04.gif, …

STEP 3

You now need to use a GIF animation software that allows you to enter your individual images and specify timing to each frame. The software will create the GIF animation for you.