Edit/Alter GIF Animation in Photoshop

Recently I posted about creating simple animation in photoshop. Today, I will show you how to edit GIF Animation.

First, Open Photoshop (CS4) then click File > Import > Video Frames to Layers…

Step 1: Open existing GIF Animation

WARNING: You cannot use this feature without the QuickTime 7 installed on your system. Though we are not using this format, Photoshop still required this and I don’t know why.

Next step, you see that GIF format is not on the list but it’s okay, we’ll just copy and paste the location and filename After you select your existing gif animation, a window will open for preview and for further settings that you want to import.

Step 2: Select Range to Import

Since my work has only 2 frames then I import all the frames. Click OK to continue. As you see, all frames are imported and treat each frame as new layer. Go on and add more frame if you want

All frames are imported

As an example, I added new frame and create a text field.

Edit or alter animation

Added some layer

Then, if you’re done, just open the animation window from Window > Animation.  Then after, compile the animation by saving your work by clicking File > Save for Web and Devices.

A window will open, click on the GIF as file format and adjust the setting according to your need. If you want to view further instruction, just read on my post about creating a GIF animation in Photoshop here.

The final output

With this, you can also import movies to save as gif animation. Just have a proper codec and be sure to lower down the final image resolution as it may cause too much bandwidth to load. And, photoshop limits animation frame to 500

Have a nice day!