Fading-In 2 Scenes in 1 Gif Tutorial
In this post, I will explain how to combine two (or more) gifs into a single gif with a fade-in (crossfade) transition. The tutorial will be based on the example below:
(So sorry for the awful quality! Made the mistake of resizing it to 268px without thinking Tumblr would stretch it to fit the width of the post.)
↓ LEARN HOW TO COMBINE GIFS UNDER THE CUT ↓
Fading-In 2 Scenes in 1 Gif Tutorial
[1] Create gifs of each scene separately
Make gifs like you normally would, apply coloring, sharpen, etc. then save. If you don't know how to make gifs yet, click here for some great tutorials.
NOTE: Make sure your gifs have the same dimensions. For example, the dimensions of all the gifs I'm making are 540px by 370px.
You can put your gifs side by side like this if you want to match the colors of the scenes (here's a tutorial):
[2] Prepare gifs for combination
NOTE: The steps in this section must be applied to each .gif file you saved in step [1].
2.1 Open your saved gif (.gif file, not .psd file) in Photoshop
To do this, you can either:
File > Open > [select your .gif files] (shortcut: command for Mac/Ctrl for Windows + O)
Right click on your .gif files > Open with > Photoshop
2.2 Convert to Video Frame Timeline
To do this, click on the first button in your Timeline window, highlighted in orange below:
2.3 Convert layers to Smart Object
To do this:
Select all layers (How? Select the layer at the bottom, then hold the Shift key while selecting the last layer).
Click the hamburger button "≡" on the right-hand corner of the Layers window.
Click "Convert to Smart Object".
NOTE: Doing this converts all layers into a single layer.
(Your layers could be named Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, etc)
[3] Transfer gifs to one gif file
Make sure you the layers of all your gifs have already been converted into a Smart Object.
How I moved "Untitled-1.gif" (Falling scene) into "Untitled-2.psd" (cardigan scene):
Select the Move tool (shortcut: V)
Click and drag the Smart Object (Layer 49 in the example above) onto the Untitled-2.gif tab (the same way you would drag and drop a file into a folder on your desktop).
While still dragging, wait until the "Untitled-1.gif" tab automatically switches to "Untitled-2.gif" tab.
Drop the Smart Object you're dragging into the document.
Repeat steps 1–4 with the other gifs if you have more gifs to drag and drop.
[4] Center align your dragged gif(s)
To perfectly center align your dragged gif(s):
Select the Move tool (V)
Press command (Mac) / Ctrl (Windows) + A
At the top portion of Photoshop, click the buttons highlighted below:
[5] Put your gif layers in a single row
This is done in the Timeline window. To do this:
5.1 Zoom out your layers first as demonstrated in the example below. Doing this will make the next steps easier.
5.2 Select the layer at the top (Layer 57 in the example below).
5.3 Drag the top layer down beside the layer at the bottom (Layer 56 in the example).
5.4 Repeat steps 5.1 to 5.3 if you have more gifs.
NOTE: If you're okay with how your gif looks without the fade effect, you can stop at this step.
[6] Add a crossfade transition
To do this:
Select the Transition button, encircled in orange below
Click Cross Fade
Drag Cross Fade in between the two gif layers then drop it once a black rectangle appears
Apply steps 6.1 to 6.3 to the rest of the layers (if applicable).
TIP:
You can shorten the duration of the transition effect by selecting the second layer (Layer 57 in the example above) and dragging it to the right. To lengthen it, drag the layer to the left.
You can also set the duration time by changing the "1 s" under "Duration:" in the example. "s" means second.
When you're okay with your overall gif, save it like how you would normally save a gif and you're good to go!
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Please like/reblog if this has helped you and feel free to send a message for any questions and concerns! ♥︎
