How Do I Animate a Video in Photoshop?

September 8, 2023 photoshop

Are you looking to add some animation to your videos? Look no further! In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of animating a video using Photoshop. With its powerful features and user-friendly interface, Photoshop is a great tool for creating simple yet visually stunning animations.

Step 1: Import your video

First, open Photoshop and go to File > Import > Video Frames to Layers. Select the video file you want to animate and click Open. In the dialog box that appears, choose your desired options such as Range To Import (if you don't want to import the entire video) and Frame Rate (the speed at which the frames will play). Then click OK.

Step 2: Create a new timeline

Once your video is imported, go to Window > Timeline. This will open the Timeline panel at the bottom of the screen. Click on Create Video Timeline, and Photoshop will automatically create a new timeline for your video.

Timeline Basics

The Timeline panel consists of different layers, similar to how layers work in traditional image editing. Each layer represents a frame in your animation.

Video Group: This is where all your frames are stored.
Frames: Each frame represents a specific time interval in your animation.
Playhead: The playhead indicates which frame is currently visible in the workspace.

Step 3: Editing frames

To edit individual frames, simply select them in the timeline and make changes on the canvas using Photoshop's editing tools. You can add text, draw shapes, apply filters or effects – anything you would typically do while editing an image in Photoshop.

Adding Effects and Filters

To add effects or filters to your frames, select the desired frame in the timeline and go to Filter > [Filter Name]. Experiment with different filters to achieve the desired look for your animation.

Step 4: Previewing your animation

Once you have finished editing your frames, it's time to preview your animation. To do this, click on the Play button in the Timeline panel. Photoshop will play through your frames, giving you an idea of how your animation looks.

Adjusting Frame Duration

If you find that some frames are too fast or too slow, you can adjust their duration. Simply click on a frame in the timeline, and a duration box will appear. Enter a new value to change the frame duration.

Step 5: Exporting your animated video

When you're satisfied with how your animation looks, it's time to export it as a video file. Go to File > Export > Render Video. Choose your desired settings such as Format, Quality, and Destination Folder. Then click Render to export your animated video.

Congratulations! You have successfully animated a video using Photoshop. With its powerful editing tools and intuitive interface, Photoshop allows you to unleash your creativity and bring static images to life.

Remember, practice makes perfect! So keep experimenting with different techniques and effects to create truly unique animations.