How to make an animated GIF using Adobe Illustrator CC advance training

Introduction

Creating an animated GIF may seem like a daunting task, but with Adobe Illustrator CC, it can be relatively straightforward and fun. In this guide, we will walk through the process of creating a simple animated GIF featuring a whimsical bubble-blowing whale.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Workspace

To begin, open Adobe Illustrator and start by creating a group. This will allow you to utilize multiple artboards with slight adjustments for our animation. Keep in mind that Illustrator is not primarily designed for animation; however, we can use creative workarounds to achieve great results.

Artboard Setup

Open the Artboards panel.
Create multiple artboards (around ten).
Name your artboards sequentially using a naming convention: for example, whale01, whale02, …, whale10. Remember to use leading zeros for proper sequencing.

Step 2: Using the Puppet Pin Tool

One of the techniques we’ll use is the Puppet Pin Tool, which allows for distortion and animation effects. Here’s how to use it:

Select the Whale graphic.
Go to the Puppet Pin Tool (you can assign a shortcut for faster access).
Pin specific body parts of the whale, such as the tail, to create movement during the animation.

Breathing Animation

For every frame, adjust the whale’s body to simulate breathing.
Create new artboards for each frame and keep duplicating adjustments.

Step 3: Adding Bubbles

As part of the animation, we’ll create a bubble that emerges from the whale:

Use the Ellipse Tool to create a bubble.
Adjust the size and position of the bubble on each artboard so that it appears to shrink while moving upward.

Step 4: Exporting Artboards to Photoshop

Once you finish creating all your artboards:

Go to File > Export and select Export for Screens.
Choose the destination for your files and ensure they are PNG files.

Step 5: Assembling the GIF in Photoshop

After exporting your artboards, open Photoshop and follow these steps:

Open the first exported image and ensure the "Image Sequence" option is checked.
Adjust the frame rate to 30 FPS.
Utilize the "Motion" workspace in Photoshop to preview your animation.

Adjusting Speed

You may need to right-click on the frames to adjust the speed of your animation. Stretch or shrink the timeline until the desired pacing is achieved.

Step 6: Exporting Your GIF

To create the GIF, go to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy).
Choose your color settings, ensuring the GIF loops forever.
Save your animated GIF to your desired location.

Alternative Export Formats

Additionally, you can export your animation as an MP4 video through Adobe Media Encoder, which allows for a different presentation method. Select H.264 as the format for compatibility.

Step 7: Final Touches

After you've successfully created your animated GIF or MP4, take a moment to review your work. Tweak any artifacts or adjustments necessary to enhance the overall quality of your animation.

Now that you have the tools and techniques to create your animation, it’s time for you to dive in and create something unique and vibrant. Share your creations on social media, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Keyword

Animated GIF
Adobe Illustrator
Puppet Pin Tool
Artboards
Exporting to Photoshop
Animation Techniques

FAQ

Q1: Can I create complex animations in Illustrator?
A1: While Illustrator is not primarily for animations, you can create simple animations using creative techniques such as using the Puppet Pin Tool.

Q2: What are the required steps to export my GIF?
A2: Export your artboards to PNG, open them in Photoshop, create a sequence, adjust the speed and finally export as 'Save for Web' to create your GIF.

Q3: How do I ensure my artboards are properly named?
A3: Use a consistent naming convention with leading zeros (e.g., whale01, whale02) for sequential ordering.

Q4: Can I create videos instead of GIFs?
A4: Yes, you can export your animation as an MP4 video using Adobe Media Encoder with H.264 format for compatibility.

Q5: What if I want to speed up or slow down my animation?
A5: In Photoshop, you can right-click the frames in the timeline to adjust the speed and the length of the animation sequence as needed.