In this article, you’ll learn how to easily export a GIF in Photoshop.
We’ll guide you through the process of:
– creating or opening a GIF,
– navigating to the ‘File’ menu, and
– selecting the ‘Export’ option.
You’ll also discover how to customize the export settings for your GIF and save it with confidence.
With our step-by-step instructions, exporting GIFs in Photoshop has never been simpler.
Let’s get started!
Creating or Opening a GIF in Photoshop
To create or open a GIF in Photoshop, you need to access the ‘Open’ or ‘Create New’ function in the software.
First, open Photoshop on your computer. Once the software is launched, click on the ‘File’ tab located at the top left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Here are the ideal settings to choose when saving your work in the GIF file format: Under Preset, select GIF 128 Dithered.
From this menu, select ‘Open’ if you already have a GIF file that you want to edit. If you want to create a new GIF from scratch, choose ‘Create New.’ This will open a new project window where you can set the dimensions, resolution, and other settings for your GIF.
After selecting the appropriate option, navigate to the location where your GIF file is stored, select it, and then click ‘Open’ to import it into Photoshop.
Navigating to the “File” Menu
To navigate to the ‘File’ menu in Photoshop, you’ll need to first launch the software on your computer. Once Photoshop is open, look at the top left corner of the screen. You’ll see a menu bar with different options.
Click on the word ‘File’ in the menu bar, and a drop-down menu will appear. This menu contains various commands related to file management. From here, you can perform actions such as creating a new document, opening an existing file, saving your work, and exporting your GIF.
Simply select the desired option from the menu by clicking on it. Navigating to the ‘File’ menu is essential for managing your projects efficiently in Photoshop.
If you’ve already made the images for your animation, import them by going to File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack.
For this tutorial, you’ll need some video footage and Adobe Photoshop.
Selecting the “Export” Option for GIFs
To select the ‘Export’ option for GIFs, access the drop-down menu under the ‘File’ menu in Photoshop and choose the desired command.
Once you have opened the ‘File’ menu, you’ll see a list of options available. Scroll down until you find the ‘Export’ option and click on it.
A new window will appear, presenting you with different formats for exporting your image. Look for the ‘GIF’ option and select it.
After choosing the ‘GIF’ format, you can adjust the settings according to your preferences. You can modify the number of colors, the dithering method, and the size of the file.
Once you’re satisfied with your settings, click on the ‘Export’ button to save your GIF file.
Customizing Export Settings for the GIF
Customize the export settings for your GIF by adjusting the color options, dithering method, and file size to your liking.
When customizing the color options, you have the choice to select either the ‘256 Colors’ or ‘Adaptive’ option.
The ‘256 Colors’ option limits the number of colors in your GIF, resulting in a smaller file size but potentially compromising the image quality.
On the other hand, the ‘Adaptive’ option maintains the image quality by preserving more colors, but it may increase the file size.
While GIF-making may look like a difficult feat, if you follow these steps in Adobe Photoshop CC 2020, you’ll be well on your way to cranking out custom GIFs in minutes.
A higher lossy setting will discard more data, which may lead to a reduction in quality.
Additionally, you can choose the dithering method, which helps to blend colors and reduce banding. The available options include ‘Diffusion,’ ‘Pattern,’ and ‘Noise.’
So it’s just this kind of trade-off between, do you want to have high quality GIFs or do you want to have a low file size GIFs and how does color relate to your specific GIF animation that you’re trying export.
Drop down menu
Here’s what it looks like: If it’s not automatically selected, choose it from the drop down menu — but then be sure to actually click it, otherwise the frame animation options won’t show up.
From the dropdown menu that appears, choose Create new layer for each new frame.
Click OK, and Photoshop will then open the selected images as individual layers in a new document.
The number next to the gif file determines how large the gif colors will be compared to the original files.A higher dithering percentage translates to the appearance of more colors and detail but it will increase the file size.Since my gif is a solid color and I want high res, I’m going to select the Gif 128 no dither.
They are simple to consume, they offer a new method to attract your viewers’ attention, and they have the potential to have a significant emotional impact on those who watch them.
Saving and Verifying the Exported GIF File
To save and verify the exported GIF file, follow these steps.
1. After customizing the export settings for the GIF, click on the ‘Save’ option from the File menu in Photoshop.
2. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to choose the location on your computer where you want to save the GIF file.
3. Select the desired folder and enter a name for the file. Make sure to include the .gif file extension at the end of the name.
4. Once you have entered the name and chosen the location, click on the ‘Save’ button.
5. Photoshop will then export the GIF file and save it to the specified location.
6. To verify that the file has been successfully saved, navigate to the folder where you saved it.
7. Double-click on the file to open it.
8. If the GIF opens and plays correctly, then the export was successful.
In the dialog box that follows, you can choose whether to import the entire video or only a select portion.
Giphy’s website (or iPhone iOS /iPad /Android app) allows you to create in the following video formats: JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, MP4, or MOV using their GIF maker.
Color adjustment
Just a word of advice, if you do add color adjustments, your final file will be larger than if you don’t.
Reduce the color count.
The tutorial covers: Creating GIFs Working with Dithering Reducing File Sizes Optimal Frame Rates Color Depth Here’s the tutorial.
This GIF downloaded at 211MB without the color filters and at 312MB with the color adjustments.
Click the Matte color swatch and use the color picker to choose your color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Export a GIF in Photoshop if I Don’t Have the Latest Version of the Software?
Yes, you can export a GIF in Photoshop even if you don’t have the latest version. There are older versions of the software that still have the capability to export GIFs.
How Do I Resize the GIF Before Exporting It in Photoshop?
To resize the gif before exporting in Photoshop, you can use the “Image Size” option. It allows you to adjust the dimensions of the gif to your desired size.
Will the Quality of the GIF Be Affected When Exporting It in Photoshop?
When you export a GIF in Photoshop, the quality may be affected depending on the settings you choose. It’s important to optimize the file size without compromising too much on the visual quality.
How to Make a GIF in PhotoShop from Video?
This is the perfect time to make any kind of adjustment you want to your video footage, from size cropping to adjusting color levels.
Can I Add Multiple GIFs to a Single Photoshop Document and Export Them Together?
Yes, you can add multiple gifs to a single photoshop document and export them together. The quality of the gifs will not be affected during the export process.
Is There a Way to Preview the GIF Animation Before Exporting It in Photoshop?
To preview the gif animation before exporting it in Photoshop, you can use the timeline panel. It allows you to play the animation, make adjustments, and ensure it looks just the way you want it to.
Conclusion
Now you know how to export a GIF in Photoshop. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily create or open a GIF file, customize export settings, and save the final result.
From there, click on File > Import > Video Frames to Layers.
With this knowledge, you can confidently share your animated creations with others or use them in your digital projects. Start exploring the possibilities and let your creativity shine through GIFs!
