How to Create Animated GIFs in After Effects and Photoshop

A Step-by-Step Guide with Ease

Introduction

Animated GIFs, a staple of online communication, have evolved from simple looping animations to dynamic art forms. With Adobe After Effects and Photoshop, you can unlock the power to create captivating animated GIFs that elevate your visual storytelling. This tutorial will guide you through the process of crafting seamless GIFs in After Effects, adding the finishing touch of easing for a smooth and eye-catching result.

Creating Your Animation in After Effects

1. **Composition Setup:** Create a new composition in After Effects. Set the frame rate to 12-24 fps for optimal GIF playback. 2. **Animate Your Elements:** Design and animate your elements using After Effects' powerful tools. Remember to keep your animation brief and concise for a gif-friendly format. 3. **Easing for Fluidity:** Apply easing to your animations for a natural and fluid motion. Right-click on the keyframe and select "Ease..." to adjust the easing curve. Experiment with different types of easing to find the perfect fit for your animation.

Turning Your Animation into a GIF

1. **Exporting as a GIF:** Go to File > Export > Save as... and choose "Animated GIF" from the Format drop-down. 2. **GIF Settings:** In the GIF options, adjust the size, quality, and loop settings as per your requirements. Choose "Optimized" from the Preset drop-down for efficient file compression. 3. **Finalizing in Photoshop:** Import your exported GIF into Photoshop for additional touch-ups. Crop, resize, or add text if necessary. Save your final GIF in the desired file format.