This week, challenge winner Lawrence wants you to create a walk cycle animation of a Mech sprite using a maximum of 16 frames.
Canvas size - Max 64 x 64.
Colors - Max 16.
Transparency - Optional.
Animation - Required.
I don't know any other simpler and reliable free solution for animation, sorry. Run GIMP, make new image or load first frame as usual, then drag and drop other frames to the layers window. Then save it as GIF (it asks how to save, as layers or animation). You don't have to add 'xxms' if all the frames will have the same delay, as it is configurable in save file dialog.
Unfreeze or GIMP then. For GIMp, you can make frames and save them from say, MSPaint, then select 'Open as layers' then you'll have to add (xxms) making 'xx' your frame speed and then add (replace) at the end of the frame name with nothing after it, and then optimize and save it. Sounds complicated, but it's actually pretty easy.
@Shiru hmmmm... I had some big troubles with layers and shit a while back when I tryed to use photoshop as an animation program. I want something simpler...
for clarification - can "walk cycle" also mean "run cycle"?
@ emolikeburning = Haha yeah.
Anyways, this looks interesting... does it has to be an original mecha? or can I make the Weltall from Xenogears? I loooove that robot.
@Antifarea - Totally understandable, considering I made this comment at work, haha.
Ohh, I love this. ~~
Would've been a bit more fair if transparency was required, but now we can make backgrounds :D
GIMP, Unfreeze, or iaza.com is best free animation.
Sticky Tape = Yes, you're right. And I wanted to correct myself, that I read that a little bit fast, since I was at work haha... I was gonna correct my comment after I realized it was "MAX" not "Required" but my boss showed up right there. 
@Antifarea - You can easily use up to or more than 16 frames for a mech walk cyle. Supposing you want smoke trails coming out of it that may need to slowly disappear, or a very slow rotation of a moving part etc.
(Also, you may want to animate the mech walking slowly )
haha I wouldn't say Photoshop are free really, some ppl migth think it's free, but it's quite expensive if you want to go legal ;)
This sounds like an awesome challange! I'm in for sure! Walkies are always fun to tinker with! :D
16 is the maximum frame number. You don't have to use that amount, as I'm sure most people would agree with you :P
Maximum 16, it's not compulsory ...but if you want smoooooothness! ;o)
Count me in.
Awesome... but 16 frames for 1 animation? walking? show me a game that has 16 or more frames just for the walking, unless we're able to do the walking in 4 directions then it's a different story.
Can someone suggest me a good free program that puts all my frames togather??
I like walk cycles, and i like mechs, but i don't know if i have enough time...
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@Zeddem, iaza.com will compile up to 15 frames for you.