Photoshop
Tips
Liquify Animation
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STEP
FOUR (Photoshop Elements):
Set up the animation. If you are working in Photoshop Elements,
you’ve got a slightly different road to take, but the
end result is the same. Since ImageReady does not come with
Photoshop Elements, there is no Animation palette. You will
set up the frames using the Layers palette and create your
animated gif in the Save for Web dialog. Photoshop Elements
allows you to create animated gifs using layers as frames
from the bottom up, so in this example, Layer 0 is frame 1,
Layer 1 is frame 2, and so on. You may even want to rename
all of your layers in this manner so that the name of the
layer is the frame number in your animation (e.g. double-
click Layer 0 and rename it to Frame 1). If we want to create
the same looping animated gif as we did in ImageReady, we
will have to create some more frames (layers)so that the animation
will loop correctly. Drag Layers 1, 2, and 3 to the new layer
icon at the bottom of the palette. This will create duplicate
or copied layers (e.g. Layer 1 copy). Next, drag the layer
copies above Layer 4 and reorder them appropriately for your
animation (see example).
STEP
FIVE (Photoshop 6):
Save out your animation. Adjust and specify the desired
settings in the Optimize palette. Make sure GIF is selected.
If you try to save as a JPEG or PNG, you will get a message
letting you know that those formats don ’t support
animation. Once you are satisfied with the file size and
quality, go to the File menu and scroll down to Save Optimized.
Voila!
STEP
FIVE (Photoshop Elements):
Save out your animation. Now that you ’ve set up your
frames (layers)for the animation from the bottom up, it
is time to save it out. Go to the File menu and scroll down
to Save for Web . In the Save for Web dialog, adjust and
specify the desired settings to optimize your animation.
Make sure GIF is selected (JPEG and PNG formats don ’t
support animation). Once you are satisfied with the file
size and quality, check the Animate and Loop checkboxes.
Next, set your Frame Delay . By default, it is set to 0.
2 seconds. Click on the Preview In browser button to view
the animation. If it animates too fast or slow, you can
adjust the Frame Delay setting until you get the speed you
like. Click OK, and that's it! More fun than you know what
to do with.
