Optimizing an Animation with solid colour background
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Please note, below are the steps I usually follow for creating my animations with solid backgrounds. I say “usually” because each animation is unique.
It is sometimes necessary to adjust the settings to suit the image and reduce file size.
Step 1
Open your image(s) in Animation Shop. Make all the desired adjustments etc before Optimizing. Save the file as a "mng" file to preserve the original.
File> save as (choose "mng" file extention and save to your computer
Let's Get Started :)
File> Optimization wizard (Shift + Z)
Step 2
I always check Create a new animation. That way my original is always available.
Click on next.
Step 3
Most images look best at the highest setting. However, it is a good idea to play around with the slider settings to test out the result. Very often, you can get a great result with a small overall file size.
Click on Customize.
Step 4
The settings below are the ones I use most often. On occasion, I will use Optimized Median Cut if I am not happy with the results using Optimized Octree.
Reducing the number of colours also reduces the file size. The downside is that it can also reduce the quality of the resulting animation. Experiment with different setting until you get one that works best for you. Keep in mind, the settings will most likely need to be different for your next animation project.
Step 5
These are the settings I use under the Optimizations tab. Click OK to take you back to original screen.
Step 6
Click next
Step 7
Click next to continue.
Step 8
If you like what you see, click next to continue. Otherwise click back to make adjustments to your settings.
Step 9
Here you can see your new animation file size. If it is too large, you can click on Back to make some adjustments in the type and amount of colours etc.
Otherwise, Click finish.
Step 10
Click Finish. If you like your result, then go ahead and save it to your computer as a “gif”.
File> save as
choose the "gif" file extention.
Otherwise, delete the new "gif" file and start again using the original "mng" file.
Once you have created and saved a "gif" file that you are happy with, save the original file "mng" as follows:
Edit> Undo Optimization.
File> save (it is already been saved as a "mng" type file in step #1.
Save to your computer.
I have deleted and started over on many different animations just to get the look I want. See sample at the top of the page.
If your image has a lot of colour and/or gradients, it may require a great deal of "fiddling" with the adjustments until your are happy with your result.
Here is a link to a Tutorial on Optimizing an animation with Transparent & Semi Transparent Background
http://schoolforpsptutorials.yuku.com/topic/574
I hope the above tutorial is useful for you.
Kathy Butler:
MAY 2013