Hi, I need to create my first animated GIF web banner. Can someone tell me what the best tool out there is to create a .gif animation with the smallest file size? As a test, I just created an animation in Flash CS3 and exported to animated gif and the file size was quite large. If anyone can recommend the best tool for creating web banners, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
PAINT SHOP? oh my god... Jasc Animation Shop 3 http://store.corel.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?promocode=0&storeId=10001¤cy=USD&jspStoreDir=CorelUS&partNumber=OL_ANIMSHOP3&catalogId=10103&ddkey=SetCurrencyPreference&trkid=animshopgoogle&trkid=17747337&gclid=CO6r18rb-40CFQ-QgQodRxfNLg Code (markup):
Don't use Flash programmes to make GIFs. Flash is made for vectors. Gifs are rastered (bitmapped). Either make a vectored banner in Flash (if you use vector images made in Flash or imported vectors from say Illustrator, your file isn't TOO big), or make an animated Gif in Gimp or Photoshop or Painshop Pro or whatever does rasters. Smallest file sizes don't come from what the programme is, but how you use them. There are tricks and things to know about images. Photoshop and Gimp both have Optimisation filters for animation, but cleaning the file up by hand may be preferable, as the filters are stupid and sometimes take out too much or too little. Whether you use a vector or raster programme depends on what type of images you want. If you need really smooth-flowing movement and gradients, use Flash (vectored). If you have simple text scrolling, or have photos changing in the background, use raster programmes. Yes, you can import raster graphics like photos into Flash, but they're friggin HUGE (not that I haven't used that trick anyway... sometimes you just have to swallow it and make a big file). Exporting a raster image like gifs out of a vector programme like Flash will make a big file size, see Flash has all this BS "outside" the file to tell it how to run blah blah and that's not necessary unless you want a real Flash (.swf) movie. In raster graphics, if you make an animated PNG you can change alpha (transparency) on things for fade-ins and fade-outs but the Browser people haven't really helped make Animated PNGs (MNG) acceptable yet (foo on them). Seriously, I'd pick the raster graphics first and learn how to make the file sizes smaller, unless you/your boss really wants Flash-style (or you already own that expensive programme). Works for most banners, to tell the truth, and even people without Flash player (many don't have it because Flash movies are sooooo huge for dial-uppers), they can still see the ad (with Flash, you could also make a jpg or whatever, still picture of the Flash banner, so that people with Flash off see something).
Yes...paint shop pro where animation shop is included...I don't see the problem. I do animated gif with it and I got it free.
If you want a tutorial showing you step-by-step how to make a custom one in Adobe, I've written one. Check it out! http://mintyferret.com/photoshop/animated-banner-tutorial/
just my sure that if you are using any images in the banner to export them as jpeg in photoshop or fireworks before you place them in flash this will decrease the size of your files.
used Image Ready if you want to make the animated gif..show the animation panel..Window-animation and start..