How to create GIF animation in GIMP (with pictures)

Animated gifs have flooded the entire Internet. These eye-catching pictures can express a full range of emotions and more. This article will help you master the basic techniques for creating animated GIFs using the GIMP program.

Steps

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 1

Step 1. Launch GIMP, using File - New, create a new image

Install GIMP if you don't already have it. This program is free and open source.

The size depends more on your goal. Banner ads typically use 60 to 120 pixels high and 400 to 800 pixels wide. Different websites may have different design requirements. Buttons are usually made no higher than 40 pixels and less than 300 pixels wide. There are usually no strict restrictions for dividers, widgets, gags and other gizmos. It is only important to decide how many lanes and space you want to occupy.
For this tutorial, we will select 200 pixels wide and 20 pixels high, then click OK. A small white rectangle will appear.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 2

Step 2. Make sure you can see the toolbar and the layers panel

Each layer will be a border for the animation.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 3

Step 3. Use a fill to make the background black

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 4

Step 4. Click Filters - Render - Texture - Mesh

Separate the horizontal and vertical lines by clicking on the chain between them. Choose 3 for the horizontal line wide, 4 for the vertical, 0 for the intersection. Then 22 for the horizontal spacing, 18 for the vertical spacing and 2 for the intersection. Then 1 for horizontal offset, 0 for vertical and 6 for intersection. Choose a dark red color for the vertical and horizontal lines. Click OK.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 5

Step 5. In the Layers panel, right-click and select “Duplicate Layer”

Then right click on the copy of the background and select “change layer attributes” and give it some simple name like “frame 1”.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 6

Step 6. Repeat until you have 16 frames in addition to the background

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 7

Step 7. Now it doesn't hurt to save your work

These frames can still be useful to you when working with other gifs, and later you will save a lot of time. Use the.xcf extension for these base files.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 8

Step 8. Hide all frames by clicking on the eye picture next to them

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 9

Step 9. Select frame 1, click the eye and fill the left piece of the mesh with bright red

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 10

Step 10. Hide frame 1 and select frame 2

Fill the next piece with the same color.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 11

Step 11. Continue selecting frames and filling in cells from left to right until you get to the end

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 12

Step 12. Save in case you want to make any changes later

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 13

Step 13. Remove the background

This will help you fix bugs and extend the animation if you wish. But in general, it is not needed for the final result.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 14

Step 14. Select File - Save As …, give the file a name and click Save

The program will ask how you want to save the work, select Save as animation and click Export (PLEASE NOTE: if you have a new version of GIMP, instead of the Save As button, there will be an Export button).

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 15

Step 15. Then you will be prompted to save the-g.webp" />
The higher the number, the slower the animation. Please note that in the new version all such operations are performed with the Export button.

Create an Animated Image with GIMP Step 16

Step 16. Finally, click save

Your-g.webp" />

Advice

Remember that there are only 256 colors available in-g.webp" />
By combining animation and transparency, you can achieve a very interesting effect.
The most popular GIFs are cute or funny.