How To Make An Animation Seamless Loop Photoshop

One of my favorite things about creating looping GIFs is that they're a relatively simple mode to showcase your design and illustration skills. Plus, they don't require a ton of production time, they're fun to make, and they're a neat method for economizing the animation process. And then much win.

As an illustrator, animator, and blitheness director, I've go more and more involved in creating looping GIFs, both for personal and commercial employ, over the last few years. So, since I'g frequently asked virtually my process, I'd like to share what I've learned about designing a "successful" looping GIF.

Related: 7 tips for designing awesome blithe GIFs

Beginning with a story

For me, this is the most challenging stride. I try to come up with an idea that will exist funny and engaging, only also simple to sympathise. And, of grade, information technology'south got to work every bit a looping GIF.

As an example, allow's talk about my . I created a GIF for each episode in season vi, and the challenge was to take scenes—often very violent ones—and plough them into cute GIFs that function every bit a TL;DR version of the episode.

Below, check out 3 GIFs that represent iii cruel scenes. The animations, colorful and cute, lighten up the anything-but-cute original scenes.

Ramsay and his beloved domestic dog.

Benjen and the White Walkers.

The Mountain.

Below, scout a xv-second GIF that combines three-4 mini-loops that create a meaningful story. The "net" animation is around 5-6 seconds, so past telling a story through loops I can also save myself some work.

Proceed information technology uncomplicated

A minimalistic arroyo during the design stage volition give you more than freedom in the animation stage. Every bit a general rule of pollex: the simpler and cleaner the design, the easier the animation will exist. A complex blueprint contains many details, shades, etc. that you'll need to pay close attention to in every frame. And so merely go along things elementary.

I like to employ basic geometric shapes and flat colour schemes. I besides avoid unnecessary details like fingers and toes, and I use simple strokes for hands and legs—it's much easier to animate than a detailed arm with shades, variable thickness, and anatomic accuracy. Simple strokes every bit limbs allow y'all to stretch them, squeeze them, and play with them almost like spaghetti—and they yet keep their original thickness.

Inside these limitations, I can play with exaggerating some features to add humor, distinct style, and visual involvement: a huge torso with a tiny face, extremely thick arms or very long and thin arms, etc. I also observe that the animation of simple characters is more svelte and expressive.

To explain what I mean, here'southward a GIF of the talented Simone Biles. Expect closely and y'all tin can see that the character is designed with only basic elements: simple strokes as limbs, a thicker stroke equally the body, and 2 perfect circles as the head and hair. That'south it!

And with that basic design, I tin can play much more easily than if information technology were built in a realistic, more than detailed way. All those crazy flips would be challenging to execute if the design weren't elementary.

Loops must exist perfect

Since information technology'south automatically played over and over over again, looping GIFs need to be perfect—otherwise flaws are easy to spot , not to mention distracting. Then pay a lot of attention to details. Give extra attention to every frame of your blitheness to ensure the loop turns out seamless. I aspire to create a smooth animation, and sometimes I utilize archetype animation to make small adjustments similar hair flapping or limb movements (elementary design comes in handy here, also). Since in almost cases looping GIFs are short, it's worth the effort.

To brand the animation work equally a loop, the first thing I do is create the first and the last frames so that they're combined smoothly with i another. Then I movement on to creating the body of the animation.

When creating looping GIFs, endeavor to add together in elements of please that will surprise viewers.

Some ideas:

Include mini-effects. For example, add stars to shining objects, whooshes for super fast motion of limbs, and modest clouds of dust when something heavy hits the ground.

Exaggerate a movement. For example, separate the caput from the body when the character gets punched.

Choose your color palette wisely. A GIF is express to 256 colors, then a gradient might get pixelated.

I promise yous find these tips useful. Please bank check out my Vimeo, Dribbble, Facebook, and Instagram channels for more GIFs!

If you liked this, don't miss our postal service on cinemagraphs, the latest evolution of the animated GIF.

by Eran Mendel

I'm an illustrator, animator, and animation manager, an advocate of minimalist design. Specializing in creating and animating characters for vast animation projects such as explanatory videos, TV series, commercials, sticker packs, brand characters, editorials, and more than. I contributed animations and illustrations to diverse companies and clients such as Google, Walmart, Hasbro, Expedia, and more. I love making GIFs for both personal and commercial projects.

Source: https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/seamless-looping-gifs/

Posted by: vannesswhoplithe1968.blogspot.com