Creating Frames
The following part of this
tutorial focuses on making "frames" for your animation. Each frame will
consist of adding a new flame and resizing the top of the coffin along with removing the
hand.
Note: There
are a few ways to import images into the Gif Animator. One way is to save each
individual image and import by using the Animation Wizard. In this tutorial
you will be copying each frame directly from PhotoImpact and pasting it into Gif Animator
5. This method very effectively reduces the size of bytes of your animation
vs. importing saved images. Gif Animator 5 inparticular produces a dramatic
difference in optimization using this method vs. Gif Animator 4.
To create the first frame,
click on your Stamps Tool. Choose the Flames stamp and Scale it to size 30.
Apply a flame stamp to the end of the pole. Right click, Merge All. Hit
Control C to copy this image to the clipboard. Go to Switch at the top right corner
of PhotoImpact and open Gif Animator 5. When the Start Up Wizard opens up, click on
Blank Animation. Go to File, New. The Canvas Size box will appear. Enter
300 for the width and height and click on Fully Transparent in Canvas
Appearance. A blank frame will appear in the Frame Panel as shown below.
 
Hit Control V to paste
your first frame in GA5. In the Frame Panel, click on the Add Frame tool. You'll use
this method to add new frames in which to paste in each new image.
Return to PhotoImpact,
click undo to unmerge the image and remove the flame. Add a new flame, merge all and copy
and paste this into the Gif Animator into a new blank frame. Repeat this step once
more. You should now have three frames with only the flames changed as shown below.
  
(reduced 50%)
Select the top rectangle
(lid of the coffin). Using the Resize Tool, resize the lid downwards just a bit to
a height of about 55. Add a new flame, right click, Merge All. Copy and paste
this image into GA5. Do this two more times, resizing the lid down in height a bit
more each time while adding a new flame. Copy and paste them into GA5. See
below.
  
(reduced 50%)
Select the top lid of the
coffin and drag it off your work area. Take the last black rectangle you put aside
earlier and place it on top of of the coffin just above the "knuckles" as shown
in the example below. Using the resize tool, narrow it horizontally and make sure
the back edge is flush with the bottom back part of the coffin. Add a new
flame. Copy and paste this image into GA5.
(reduced 50%)
Select the
"thumb" and remove it. Using the Resize Tool, lengthen the lid so
as when you place the lid over the coffin it is completely covered. Change the
flame. Copy and paste this into GA5.
(reduced 50%)
The next four frames will
consist of removing one finger at a time with the last frame showing the lid of the
coffin closed.
Remove the last finger to
the right. Change the flame. Copy and paste this into GA5. Repeat
this twice, removing the next finger, making sure you change the flame in each. Copy
and paste into GA5. The last frame will be just the coffin closed. Change the
flame. Copy and paste this last frame of this animation into GA5. See below.
  
(reduced 50%)
Continue onto Part III to
complete the animation.
Part I Part
III
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