In an earlier post you said: “In case you want to give GIF-animating a try, several sites and programs available around the Web have tutorials or software to convert regular video clips (or a collection of images) into animated GIF files.†How exactly do I do it?
An animated GIF is a special image file created from multiple frames that appear to be moving in a constant loop. You can make them from your own photos with photo-editing software on your computer, a smartphone app or a Web site that converts your uploaded pictures.
Before you decide how you want to make your animated GIF file, you should select the images to use for the project, like a sequence of pictures of a puppy jumping around. All the images used should be sized to the same dimensions.
The fewer pictures used, the faster and choppier the animation will be in the final GIF file. Some basic animated GIF files just use four images. For more fluid, video-like motion, use more images in the sequence.
Recent versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements, a popular photo-editing program designed for home users, can make animated GIFs in about five steps using the Layers feature of the program. Adobe's site has instructions here.
The open-source GIMP photo-editing software can also make animated GIF files.
Several Web sites let you upload your photos or video clips for automatic animated-GIF conversion. Some of these include Gifninja, Gickr, MakeaGIF and Picasion.
If you want to convert a few frames of a video clip from YouTube, you can find step-by-step tutorials online that explain how to create an animated GIF with Adobe Photoshop. Another tutorial has steps using free software for Windows. If you want to make your GIF animations on the go, search your mobile app store for suitable software; Gifboom is one such mobile app with iOS and Android versions available.
