Adobe After Effects is a robust program utilized during the post-production phase in film and television making. Among its numerous functions is the ability to convert video files into GIFs. In this blog article, we will go through each step on how to generate a GIF in Adobe After Effects.
Step 1: Import Your Video
The first thing you need is a video clip you want to convert into a GIF. Open Adobe After Effects and click on File > Import > File to choose your video.
Step 2: Edit Your Clip
Drag your video clip to the “Composition” icon at the bottom of the Project panel to create a new composition. Here, you can trim the video, adjust color levels, add filters, or insert text.
Step 3: Export Your Clip
Once you’re done editing, go to Composition > Add to Render Queue. In the Render Queue tab, click on “Output Module” and select “PNG Sequence”.
Step 4: Convert PNG Sequence to GIF
There is no direct GIF export option in Adobe After Effects, so we’ll use Photoshop to convert the PNG sequence into a GIF.
Open Photoshop, click File > Open, and select the first image of your PNG sequence. Make sure the “Image Sequence” box is checked. Click “Open” and adjust the frame rate. Click “OK”, then go to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy), select “GIF”, and lastly click “Save”.
Step 5: Enjoy Your GIF!
Voila! You’ve just made a GIF using Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. It might seem like a long process, but with some practice, you’ll be able to make custom GIFs in no time.
Conclusion
Creating a GIF in Adobe After Effects involves several steps, but the end result is worth it—you get a high-quality, fully customizable GIF. Plus, you gain a new skill in the process. Start experimenting with your own videos and see what you can create!
