How to Convert a Digital Video Into a GIF Animation
Speedy, simple animations can draw readers into your website, but many look cartoonish and amateur. Video often looks more professional, but take longer to stream. Converting video to animated GIFs provides an attractive alternative. Once you have created and edited your digital video, you can use professional or shareware video conversion software to create the GIF file, or convert it for free directly on the web.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Using Video Conversion Software
-
1
Open the digital video file or import it into your video conversion software to create the GIF. Most applications require you to open the file with a standard dialogue or drag your video file into a conversion window.
-
2
Choose the save or export option, depending on the software. Make sure you set the exported file format to "Animated GIF." Depending on the software, you may have the option to set the frame rate, number of loops and number of colors used for the final animation.
-
-
3
Save the file to your hard drive. Usually the software will change the file extension for you, but it doesn't hurt to double check before you commit the save.
Convert Files on the Web
-
4
Go to the GifNinja website.
-
5
Click the "Choose File" button. Load your file in using the upload dialogue. You will see a file icon next to the button when the file is successfully uploaded.
-
6
Click the "Make My Movie" button. GifNinja will take a moment to convert your uploaded file. When it is finished you will see you animated GIF just below the button, If your movie is too big to process, the site will notify you.
-
7
Download the GIF file to your hard drive or drag the image to your desktop.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep your animated GIF small by limiting the image size and the number of frames. Save clips longer than 24-30 frames and larger than 320 pixels x 240 pixels as .mov or .wmv files. Animated GIFs should download and playback in an instant.
There are a number of useful video format conversion utilities available on the web. Before you pay the shareware fee, make sure the utility works with your video format and converts to animated GIF. Just because the developer says they convert to all formats, doesn't mean they actually do.
GifNinja has a file size limit. If the site rejects your file, reduce the video image size. Make sure your movie is no longer than 4 seconds.
