Animated GIF's program? Avi to Gif?

[Mushashi7]

Does any of you know a really god program that can convert *.avi into animated GIF?

I just became interested in these funny small animations.

I tried some programs I downloaded from various sites. But they are much too weak and takes loads of time to process the avi-files (especially when they are of todays standard 848 x 480 pxl).
Some of them only accept *.wmv or *.avi (never both).

I need a program that can
1. Convert *.avi into animated *.gif
2. Resize Canvas (and also Resize Image)

I read somewhere that Paint Shop Pro is able to do it?

Thanks in advance

Mush

[Smokem]

Here is I create an animated "Gif" from a video.

1) I use "Nero Showtime" to play the video and start tapping on the "C" (when using Showtime, the "C" key refers to capture) key to save video frames to image files on disk. I am sure that most other video viewing programs probably have the same feature, but I prefer "Showtime."

2) I select the image files created by Showtime that I want to work with using "Faststone Image Viewer." You can limit the portion of the input image to a specific area, or resize the image and do other creative things.

3) After I have resized a bunch of images files, then I use "Photoscape" to create the animated gif file.

All it takes is a few frames from a video to make an animated gif.

Almost forgot to mention "Faststone Image Viewer" and "Photoscape" are freeware programs. I just Googled for "Free Video to JPG Converter" and found one that appears to might work good at DVDVideoSoft.

[Mushashi7]

Originally Posted by Smokem

Here is I create an animated "Gif" from a video.

1) I use "Nero Showtime" to play the video and start tapping on the "C" (when using Showtime, the "C" key refers to capture) key to save video frames to image files on disk. I am sure that most other video viewing programs probably have the same feature, but I prefer "Showtime."

2) I select the image files created by Showtime that I want to work with using "Faststone Image Viewer." You can limit the portion of the input image to a specific area, or resize the image and do other creative things.

3) After I have resized a bunch of images files, then I use "Photoscape" to create the animated gif file.

All it takes is a few frames from a video to make an animated gif.

Almost forgot to mention "Faststone Image Viewer" and "Photoscape" are freeware programs. I just Googled for "Free Video to JPG Converter" and found one that appears to might work good at DVDVideoSoft.

Thanks for your input, Smokem.

That means you are processing each image in the sequence manually (one by one), like in 'the old times'?

That is not what I am looking for. I had hopes that there is a program that can do it all automatically, so to speak. Like GIMP or EximiousSoft GIF Creator.


Programs like GIMP can make an animated Gif from the video source it self.
You can also resize the canvas (cut of the unwanted black bars at the top and bottom of the video).
Further more it can also resize the output format at the same time (e.g. if you have a video of 720 pxl in height and want it to be 252 in height).
All done in one process.
But it can only handle *.wmf files

EximiousSoft GIF Creator can do almost the same thing, but only accept *.avi as input.
It has difficulties in handling very large formats (like 840 pxl height).
It is also very slow and tend to freeze.


I was thinking of 'metal militia's' animations in this thread:
http://veterperementour.ru/t111358-animgfs-thread.html

Example:

They are really good. But I think he might use a special program to work with. Producing 54 animations of the same video would take ages if you do it the old fashion way.

[mental]

I have used Ulead Gif Animator 5 in the past with good results.

http://ulead.com/ga/

[Mushashi7]

Originally Posted by mental

I have used Ulead Gif Animator 5 in the past with good results.

http://ulead.com/ga/

It sounds as if it might be worth a try, mental

They state specific:

Create and edit with precision
Animation Wizard walks you through creating an animation sequence. Add video or other animation as separate frame objects or image, text, animated text. Use the frame Panel with filmstrip view to easily create object animation.

I better get this and try it out. Thanks a lot!

[Mushashi7]

Boy! This seems to be what I was looking for.
Not only is it fast. It can also Resize Canvas and Image in the same process.
I tested it with an *.mpeg
I didn't resize the avi before I processed, but used raw data.

This is the result:



That is a major difference from the other programs I've tested so far.

Thanks for this tip, mental

[mar77]

I just discovered a program called MovToGif.

Just do a search, and you'll find the program.

It's quite simple to use, and I've had little issue with it so far. One thing that is helpful is to use a program like VirtualDub first to edit out the particular section of the movie you want to create the gif file with.

The only issue I'm having now is getting the gif files to animate when I post them here at the forum. Maybe that isn't possible, but if it is, I'd appreciate if someone can tell me how to do so successfully.

Thanks.

[Mushashi7]

Never heard of it. Thanks. I must check it out as well.

Originally Posted by mar77

The only issue I'm having now is getting the gif files to animate when I post them here at the forum. Maybe that isn't possible, but if it is, I'd appreciate if someone can tell me how to do so successfully.

It depends on the imagehost you are choosing. If it allows the entire picture to be shown or just a thumbnail of it.

[mar77]

Originally Posted by Mushashi7

Never heard of it. Thanks. I must check it out as well.



It depends on the imagehost you are choosing. If it allows the entire picture to be shown or just a thumbnail of it.

You're right. I figured out a solution, and appreciate the help.

[mar77]

I can't speak highly enough of MovToGif. In fact, their results speak for themselves.

Check out the forum I created thanks to the program:

http://veterperementour.ru/t282674-favorite-facials.html

This picture too!