2 easy techniques to create powerful GIFs

In this post I’ll teach you my two favorite techniques to create GIFs. The first technique uses Photoshop to create a simple GIF, while the second uses Camtasia (a screen recording and editing app) to make what I call an explanatory GIF.

Simple GIF

My Bitmoji with a raccoon on a skateboard — doesn’t get better :)

Explanatory GIF — “How to make a GIF” GIF

Why make GIFs?

Over the past few years I developed an obsession for GIF making. For the most part, GIFs are short videos on never ending repeat. What makes GIFs magical is that they are informative, intriguing and lightweight. Unlike videos, you don’t have to click GIFs to play them, they are displayed like static pictures. However, since they are never-ending looped short videos, you should understand the message after watching a GIF a few times, and it’s more likely to be ingrained in your mind than watching a video once.

Technique one: Create simple GIFs with Photoshop

This example shows you how to create a GIF using a static Bitmoji image. Watch “How to make a GIF” above or follow the steps below. Keep in mind a few of these steps might be redundant for your own GIF making, but they’re on display here for those who can benefit from extra knowledge.

Technique two: Create explanatory GIFs with Camtasia

The easiest way to make an explanatory GIF is to take a video, edit it, and then export as GIF. I’m a fan of Camtasia — it’s an easy-to-use and powerful screencast recording and editing app. I suggest you get all desired actions done in one shot, even if it means repeating an action that got messed up. It’s easier to cut unnecessary parts later than to record again and stitch segments together.

Check out the steps below to create a GIF using Camtasia:

First, when you launch Camtasia, choose the size of video you want to record, and you can turn on/off audio and your camera view.

Next, select the window/area you want to record and press rec

Then, edit the video as needed, cut unnecessary parts, speed up or slow down segments etc.

Lastly, click Share → Advanced Export and save the video as GIF. Done!

That’s it. Hope you found this post helpful! If you have questions and need help, please don’t hesitate to hit me up at @yonishechter or shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] ✌️