How to Export an Animated GIF from Photoshop
This guide shows how to build a basic frame animation in Photoshop and export it as an animated GIF. You’ll import images as layers, convert them to frames, adjust timing, and export using Save for Web. The result can loop forever and preserve transparency.
Step-by-step instructions
Create a new document
Go to File → New.
Keep your preferred canvas settings and click Create.
Open the Timeline and set up frame animation
Go to Window → Timeline to display the Timeline panel.
In the Timeline panel, choose Create Frame Animation from the dropdown.
Click Create Frame Animation to add the first frame.
Import images as layers
Drag your prepared images into the document (or use File → Scripts → Load Files into Stack).
Press Enter/Return to place the layers.
Delete the Background layer if present so transparency can be preserved.
Convert layers to frames
In the Timeline panel menu (≡), choose Make Frames From Layers.
Verify all layers are now individual frames and play to preview.
Edit movement and timing
Select a frame and click the Duplicate selected frames icon to add in-between frames if needed.
Use the Move Tool (V) to shift layer content slightly (e.g., move down a bit) to create motion.
Select all frames (Shift-click), click the delay under any frame, and set it to 0.2 seconds.
Play the animation to preview and adjust as needed.
Export the animated GIF
Go to File → Export → Save for Web (Legacy)… (shortcut: Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S on Windows).
Set Format to GIF; adjust Colors and Image Size if necessary.
Set Looping Options → Forever.
Click Save, choose a location, and name the file (e.g., animated-water-drop.gif).
Open the saved GIF to preview; transparency is preserved if your document used it.
