Swimming Angelfish

Software: Ulead Gif Animator 5

Skill Level:  Beginner, Intermediate

Featured Tools:
Pick Tool, Object Manager

Additional Tools:
Transparent Gifs

Note:  Work solely within Gif Animator to make this little angelfish swim.

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This animation was done entirely in Gif Animator 5 using a background and two transparent gifs as objects (sprites).  These objects can be moved and manipulated using the Object Manager and Pick Tool. The focus of this tutorial is to guide you on how to arrange the plants and move the fish so it will appear as if it is swimming in and out of them across the canvas.

Note:  If needed, see Overview to locate the tools you'll be using.

To start, save the background and plants shown below to your hard drive.

Go to the Open folder (or File, Open Image) and browse to where you saved the background and gifs.  Click on the background.  It will appear in your working canvas and show as Object 1 in the Object Manager.

To add the transparent gifs into the canvas, go to File, Add Image.  While holding down the Control Key, click on the angelfish, plant 1 and plant 2. 

Your working canvas will look like the picture shown below.

All of the objects are now imported and by default are placed to the left side of your working canvas.  The order of objects can be seen in the Object Manager shown below, with Object 4 being on top (in front) of the others in succession.

Highlight the top plant in the Object Manger (Object 4).  Right click and Duplicate Object. (Tip: You can also click on the object on the canvas, right click and duplicate).

A copy of the plant will appear directly under the original in the Object Manager.  Highlight the other plant (Object 3) and repeat the same step.  You should now have 2 of each plant in the Object Manager and in your canvas.  The Object Manager should look like the screenshot shown below.

Use the Object Manager to select the plants, and use the Pick Tool to arrange your plants as shown below on the canvas.

Arranging Plants

You now need to "arrange" the plants so it appears as if the fish is swimming behind and in front of them. (This is the same as "Arrange - Bring to Front and/or Back" in PhotoImpact).  Arrange them as shown in the screenshot above.

Working strictly in the Object Manager, highlight Object 4 in the Object Manager.  (This is the second smaller plant on the left hand side of the canvas).  While holding down the left click on your mouse, drag this down until you get to the fish and release.  The plant should now be underneath the angelfish in both the Object Manager and in the canvas.  Highlight Object 6 and drag it under Object 4 in the Object Manager. You can arrange how the fish swims in front or behind the plants any way you like using this method.

Setting Delay Time

In Frame 1 in the Frame Panel shown above, right click and click on Frame Properties.

In the Frame Properties box, put in 18 at Delay.

When you begin to duplicate your frames, the delay time will be set at 18 for all.  (Tip: If you already know the delay time you want, you can set this at default in your Preferences.)

Making Frames

Click on Duplicate Frame in the Frame Panel.  An exact duplicate of Frame 1 will be added into the Frame Panel.  This is Frame 2. 

Using the Pick Tool, move the fish on the canvas slightly towards the right. 

Click on Duplicate Frame in the Frame Panel again.  You now will have Frame 3.

Repeat the above steps with each Frame, moving the fish slightly across the canvas until it "swims" across to the right side of the canvas.

Once you've completed all your frames, return to Frame 1.  In the Frame Panel duplicate Frame 1.  Go one back to Frame 1 (since the duplicate is now Frame 2), right click, and click on Frame Properties.  Enter 25 in Delay.   In the Object Manager click on the eye so the fish is hidden.  View your animation in Preview.

You can add as many frames as you like.   Keep in mind the more frames you use, the larger your animation will be in kbs.   This is another version, but much larger in size.

Save Your Animation

Once you are satisfied with your animation, go to File, Optimization Wizard, and use all of the default settings except for Number of Colors in the second step.  Set the Number of Colors to 32.  When finished with the steps in the Optimization Wizard, preview your animation and then save as.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial.

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