Create a gif from a series of images of a corkscrew (Tutorial)

Note that the images were taken with a locked-off (rigid, not moved) camera (phone).

  1. First, back-up the original files in an appropriate location that will also be backed up to an external drive and also remotely.
  2. Using Photoshop, create a new folder and name it yourfirstname-corkscrew-anim
    1. Replace your firstname with YOUR first name!
  3. Download corkscrew-orig-stills-1.zip into that new folder.
  4. Un-zip the files.
  5. Create a new file in Photoshop:
    1. File > New
      1. PRESET DETAILS: yourfirstname-corkscrew-anim
        1. Replace your firstname with YOUR first name!
      2. Width: 3024 px
      3. Height: 4032 px
      4. Resolution: 72 pixels/inch
  6. Files > Scripts > Load files into stack
    1. The Load Layers dialog box opens.
    2. In the Use menu select Folder
    3. Click Browse
    4. Select the folder containing the corkscrew images.
    5. Wait for the images to load into the Layers panel.
  7. Window > Timeline
    1. In the middle of the Timeline panel is a button/menu
    2. Use the menu arrow to select Create Frame Animation (which is probably hidden under Create Video Timeline).
    3. Then click on the Create Frame Animation button.
  8. Timeline panel menu > Make frames from layers
  9. Find the frames with the corkscrew in its:
    1. Widest position: note the approximate width.
    2. Tallest position: note approximate height.
  10. Determine which frame would be best to crop the image size. You will want to:
    1. Keep the final image size small.
    2. Get rid of that blue area at the bottom of the frame.
  11. Select the Crop tool - it is in the fifth position down in the toolbar.
    1. Click on the image and then drag the Crop tool's boundaries to the positions you feel are best.
    2. Try to center the corkscrew.
    3. You can easily move the sides and overall position of the crop area.
    4. When you are satisfied with the positions,
  12. Balance frame brightness by selecting the layer that needs to be affected.
    1. Add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer to it.
    2. Be sure there is a little down-pointing arrow to the right side of the layer's icon. If not Alt/Option-click on the boundary between the adjustment layer and the image layer.
  13. Select frames 2-12
  14. Use the Timeline's panel menu to select Copy frames.
  15. Select frame 13.
  16. Use the Timeline's panel menu to select Paste frames.
    1. The Paste Frames dialog box opens.
    2. Select from the Paste Method radio buttons options:
    3. Paste After Selection
  17. Leave the new frames selected.
  18. Use the Timeline's panel menu to select Reverse frames
    1. This creates a loop that will appear continuous.
  19. Adjust the speed by selecting all the frames and then clicking on the frame rate number at the bottom of the frame.
    1. I suggest that you enter 0.07
    2. Then select just the first frame and enter 0.5
  20. Export as an animated gif:
    1. File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy)...
    2. Select the GIF 128 Dithered preset at the top of the right side settings area.
    3. Set the image size percentage to 10%
    4. Then click the play arrow to check the animation.
    5. Save the animated gif in an appropriate location.