Photoshop Tutorial | Create a Groovy Twirling Animated GIF

Crafting a Mesmerizing Spiral Loop: A Photoshop Tutorial

Greetings, design enthusiasts! Today, we’ll delve into the intricate world of Photoshop to create a captivating looping animated GIF. This tutorial is tailored to be straightforward and accessible, regardless of your Photoshop proficiency.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Project

Let’s kick things off by creating a new project in Photoshop. Head to File > New, set the dimensions to 1920 by 1080 pixels, and save it as “Spiral Loop” on your desktop. Stick with pixels for screen display, and 72 pixels per inch.

Step 2: Crafting the Spiral

Utilize the Pen Tool with a chosen fill color (perhaps a lively orange) and ensure it’s set to the shape option. Follow the steps to form a triangle spiraling around the center point.

Step 3: Duplicate and Rotate

Duplicate the shape and rotate it around the center, creating a sequence of triangles. Pay attention to the spacing for a seamless flow. Experiment with Command + T to transform and refine the positioning.

Step 4: Merge and Distort

Merge the layers and rasterize. Head to Filter > Distort > Twirl. Aim for around minus 180 degrees for a captivating twirl effect. Duplicate the layer and gradually distort it using guides for a sense of motion.

Step 5: Animation Magic

Merge the layers again and rasterize. Duplicate and transform the layer in increments for a smooth animation effect. Create a frame-by-frame animation by turning on and off layers in Photoshop’s timeline.

Step 6: Color Adjustment

Fine-tune your colors using hue saturation adjustment layers. Group your layers and apply color adjustments independently using clipping masks.

Step 7: Exporting the Magic

Export your creation as an animated GIF: File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy). Choose a GIF option and set the looping properties. Save it out as “Spiral Loop GIF” on your desktop.

Step 8: Bonus – Export as a Movie

For an extra touch, export your creation as a video. Duplicate frames to extend the loop, then export by going to File > Export > Render Video. Enjoy your mesmerizing creation!

Final Thoughts

There you have it – a fantastic looping animated GIF and an extended version as a video. This tutorial aims for simplicity and accessibility. Feel free to share your projects on the course project board, and let’s keep the creative energy flowing. Looking forward to our next tutorial adventure! Happy designing!