Working with Animated GIFs
Working with Animated GIFs
Animations are an attractive visual element that can be added to a Web site. The flexibility in Canvas X Draw allows you to create animated GIFs.
Creating Animations
Create animated GIFs in Canvas X Draw by assembling images within an Animation document and then saving the file as an animated GIF. This animation format is extremely popular among Web designers since it is supported by nearly all Web browsers.
Animation documents consist of a series of frames, with each frame being a still image. Displaying frames in quick succession creates the illusion of motion.
The more frames per second (fps), the smoother the motion appears.
Use the Document Layout palette to arrange the frame sequence and set their individual duration. (See Using the Document Layout Palette.)
All About Onion Skinning
In Animation documents, you can display more than one frame at a time. Onion skinning is the term for displaying multiple frames as if they are on tracing paper. Onion-skinning is useful for positioning objects across frames of an animation.
The onion-skinning icon is located on the Document Layout palette. (See Using the Document Layout Palette.) Click this icon to open the menu.
- No Onion Skinning: Shows just the current frame.
- Next Frame: Displays the current frame and the frame after the current frame.
- Previous Frame: Displays the current frame and the frame before the current frame.
- Next & Previous: Displays the current frame and one frame before and after the current frame.
- Custom: Choose this option to display any number of frames adjacent to the current frame. Enter the number of frames to display.
When onion-skinning is active, names of the displayed frames are tinted in the layout list.
Exporting an Animated GIF
Once you’ve created your animation, it is time to export it as an animated GIF.
You should save your file first in Canvas X Draw format (.CVX).
To Save as Animated GIF:
- Choose File | Save As.
- Select GIF Animated as the file type.
- Enter a name for the file.
- Click Save.
- In the Animated GIF Options dialog box, select the animated GIF options.
Animated GIF Options
Makes the background transparent. | |
Optimizes the size of each frame and the document. The Auto Crop feature will create the minimum size needed to accommodate all of the objects in the document. | |
The image will load into a browser a little bit at a time. Activating this feature creates the effect of improving an image over a slow connection. | |
Objects from the Canvas X Draw document will be rendered with an overall softened effect. | |
If selected, each GIF frame will contain its own palette. This will create a larger GIF image; however, this setting is suggested if you are creating complex and colorful animations. If this option is not checked, then all frames will have a common palette. The color palette maximum is 256 colors. | |
Each frame will be erased and the area will be restored to the background before the next frame is displayed during playback. | |
This feature minimizes the size of a file that will be created. We recommend this setting if you are working with colorful GIFs or pictures. The Optimize frame setting has no effect on simple graphics, like rectangles, ovals etc. | |
This option searches for the smallest frame possible in the set that contains all of the changes from a previous frame. After the search, it creates a new rectangle which becomes the new frame. If the Erase Previous Frame option is checked, then this particular option will be unavailable. For more information on using animated GIF options, see Working with Animated GIFs. | |
Activating this option will cause your animation to run (loop) continuously. You may specify the number of times that your animation will run. To do this, simply enter the number of times to “loop” your animation in the Times box. |
Recent Articles
Comprehensive Feature Guide for canvasxdraw
Comprehensive Feature Guide The Professional Standard for 2D Technical Illustration & Documentation. 1. Unified Vector & Raster Workflow Unlike many design suites that require switching between different apps for photos and drawings, canvasxdraw ...2D Illustration Cheat Sheet
2D Illustration Cheat Sheet for our trial-ers Master the technical edge in minutes. 1. The Power Shortcuts (Must-Knows) > Direct Edit Mode: Double-Click any object to enter edit mode, or press Cmd + E (Mac) / Ctrl + E (Win). > The "Magic" ...2D Illustration Cheat Sheet
2D Illustration Cheat Sheet for our trial-ers Master the technical edge in minutes. 1. The Power Shortcuts (Must-Knows) > Direct Edit Mode: Double-Click any object to enter edit mode, or press Cmd + E (Mac) / Ctrl + E (Win). > The "Magic" ...Canvas X Draw Menus
Canvas X Draw Menus Canvas X Draw File Edit Text Object Path About Canvas X Draw... Preferences... Check for Updates Services Hide Canvas X Draw Hide Others Show All Quit Canvas X Draw New... Open... Open Recent Close Place... Import Images... Symbol ...Privacy at a Glance: Vector GFX Data Handling
Privacy at a Glance: Vector GFX Data Handling Feature Standard License Air-Gapped License Who can see your files? Only You. Vector GFX has zero access to your drawings or IP. Only You. Vector GFX has zero access to your drawings or IP. What user info ...
Related Articles
Exporting as Animated GIF
Exporting as Animated GIF You can export as an animated GIF. Exporting an Animated GIF You should save your file first in Canvas X Draw format (.CVD). To Save as Animated GIF: Choose File | Save As. Select GIF Animated as the file type. Enter a name ...Exporting as Animated GIF
Exporting as Animated GIF You can export as an animated GIF. Exporting an Animated GIF You should save your file first in Canvas X Draw format (.CVD). To Save as Animated GIF: Choose File | Save As. Select GIF Animated as the file type. Enter a name ...Working with Other File Formats
Working with Other File Formats When you use other file formats supported by Canvas X Draw, you can select options when you open, place, import, save, or export some types of files. The most common file formats and their options are described in this ...Working with Other File Formats
Working with Other File Formats When you use other file formats supported by Canvas X Draw, you can select options when you open, place, import, save, or export some types of files. The most common file formats and their options are described in this ...Working with Document Windows
Working with Document Windows Each document you open appears in its own window. You can work with Canvas X Draw document windows the same as other windows. You can resize a window, expand it to fill the screen, and minimize or roll it up. Canvas X ...
Popular Articles
The new macOS Native/Universal app has arrived!
Exciting news for Mac users! The first universal native app is here! This new version is be compatable with all macOS versions and chipsets. Subscription users can download here Perpetual users looking to upgrade click here Free trials here Thank ...Welcome to Vector GFX!
Please bear with us as we are busy updating all of our help content. If you need immeadiate assistance submit a ticket at https://vgfxsupport.zohodesk.com/portal/en/newticket or e-mail info@vectorgfx.net. Other important links: New Website: ...Vector GFX: Quality Assurance Program Overview
Vector GFX: Quality Assurance Program Overview At Vector GFX, we are committed to delivering high-performance, stable desktop solutions. Because our software resides directly on our customers' local environments, our Quality Assurance (QA) program ...How many computers can I put a license on?
Overview: Each license can only be used to register the program on two computers. If you are looking to get more than one license, we can offer a discount for multiple licenses. Please contact our sales department at sales@vectorgfx.net. Applies To: ...What is the difference between Canvas X Draw and Canvas X Pro (Canvas GFX)?