Body
Questions
- How do I make an animated GIF in Adobe Express?
- How do I turn a video into a GIF using Adobe Express?
- How do I animate text or graphics and save them as a GIF?
- Can I create a looping GIF in Adobe Express?
- How do I download an Adobe Express design as an animated GIF?
- How do I convert an MP4 video to a GIF?
- What are the length and size limits for a GIF made in Adobe Express?
- What application can I use to create GIFs?
Environment
This article applies to:
- Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students
- Adobe Express in a web browser at express.adobe.com, and the Adobe Express app for iPad and iPhone
- An Adobe account. Sign in with your Bowdoin account to use the features included with Bowdoin's Adobe Creative Cloud plan. For help getting access to Adobe, see the Adobe Creative Cloud articles in the Related Articles section.
A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a short image file that plays a looping animation with no sound. Adobe Express can build a GIF two ways: it can convert a video clip into a GIF, or it can animate a design you build from text, photos, and graphics and then save that animation as a GIF. Both methods work in the web browser version of Adobe Express.
Note: A GIF made in Adobe Express can be up to 60 seconds long, does not include audio, and does not support transparent backgrounds. Keep the animation short, since a longer or higher-quality GIF produces a larger file.
Resolution
Choose the method that matches what you are starting from. Start with an existing video clip and use Turn a video into a GIF. Start from scratch with text or graphics and use Animate a design and save it as a GIF.
Turn a video into a GIF
Use the Convert to GIF quick action when you already have a video clip and want a short, silent, looping version of it.
- Open a web browser and go to express.adobe.com, then sign in with your Bowdoin account.
- On the Adobe Express home page, select Video, then scroll to the Video quick actions section and select Convert to GIF.
- Select Browse on your device and choose the video file you want to convert, or drag the video file into the upload area.
- Set the File size and Layout options for the GIF. A smaller file size loads faster when the GIF is shared or posted.
- Drag the timeline handles to set the start and end points, so the GIF includes only the part of the video you want.
- Select Download to save the finished GIF to your computer.
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Animate a design and save it as a GIF
Use this method to build an animated GIF from scratch, for example animated text for a slide, an event graphic, or a social post.
- Open a web browser and go to express.adobe.com, then sign in with your Bowdoin account.
- Create a new design or open an existing one, and add the text, photos, and graphics you want to animate.
- To animate a single item, select the text box, photo, or graphic, then open the Animation panel from the toolbar. Choose an animation category (Visibility, Move, or Scale), then adjust the intensity, speed, and direction until the motion looks the way you want.
- To animate the whole page at once, select Edit page, then select Animate all and pick an animation style such as Bloom, Glide, Popping, Sunrise, or Waterfall.
- Preview the motion in the editor. Adjust or remove an animation by selecting the item again and reopening the Animation panel.
- When the animation looks right, select Download in the top corner of the editor.
- In the File format menu, choose GIF.
- Choose a Quality level of Low, Medium, or High. A higher quality GIF looks sharper but produces a larger file.
- Select Download to save the finished GIF to your computer.
Make your GIF accessible: Avoid animations that flash more than three times per second, since rapid flashing can trigger seizures for some people. When you post or send a GIF, add a short text description of what it shows so that people using screen readers, and anyone whose browser does not play the animation, still get the information.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources
AI-assisted content: This article was drafted with the assistance of an AI writing tool and reviewed by Bowdoin IT staff for accuracy.