Creating Frame Animations; Frame Animation Workflow - Adobe Photoshop CS6 User Manual

Creating frame animations

Frame animation workflow

Add frames to an animation
Select animation frames
Edit animation frames
Unifying layer properties in animation frames
Copy frames with layer properties
Create frames using tweening
Add a new layer for each new frame
Hide layers in animation frames
Specify a delay time in frame animations
Choose a frame disposal method
Specify looping in frame animations
Delete an entire animation
Frame animation workflow
In Photoshop, you use the Animation panel to create animation frames. Each frame represents a configuration of layers.
Note: In Photoshop Extended, you can also create animations using a timeline and keyframes. See Creating timeline animations (Photoshop
Extended).
Illustration of an animation. The unicycle image is on its own layer; the position of the layer changes in each frame of the animation.
To create frame-based animations in Photoshop, use the following general workflow.
1. Open a new document.
If they are not already visible, open the Animation and Layers panels, as well. In Photoshop Extended, make sure the Animation panel is in frame
animation mode (click the Convert to Frame Animation button in the Animation panel).
2. Add a layer or convert the background layer.
Because a background layer cannot be animated, add a new layer or convert the background layer to a regular layer. See Convert background
and layers.
3. Add content to your animation.
If your animation includes several objects that are animated independently, or if you want to change the color of an object or completely change
the content in a frame, create the objects on separate layers.
4. Add a frame to the Animation panel.
See Add frames to an animation.
5. Select a frame.
See Select animation frames.
6. Edit the layers for the selected frame.
Do any of the following:
Turn visibility on and off for different layers.
Change the position of objects or layers to make layer content move.
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