Pixel Joint Forum: What's a good GIF editor w/ multiple layers/frame?

Message

I am sorry if I'm missing something obvious, but I've been trying to find a program that can do this and I'm getting frustrated.

What I'd like to do is to be able to use multiple layers per frame while creating a .GIF animation.  For instance, I would like to be able to move around foreground elements on any frame at any given point in time without disturbing the background for that particular frame and having to redraw things that were underneath.

So far any search I've tried involving both the word "GIF" and "layer" 
tends to give me results such as instructions on how to make GIF 
animations using GIMP or  Photoshop -- unfortunately I am very familiar 
with the GIMP method.

I would very grateful for any advice, and if there is some simple method that I've over-looked PLEASE tell me about it.

Edited by showtime - 06 June 2011 at 5:24pm

Author	Message
showtime Commander Joined: 14 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Topic: What's a good GIF editor w/ multiple layers/frame? Posted: 06 June 2011 at 5:24pm
	I am sorry if I'm missing something obvious, but I've been trying to find a program that can do this and I'm getting frustrated. What I'd like to do is to be able to use multiple layers per frame while creating a .GIF animation. For instance, I would like to be able to move around foreground elements on any frame at any given point in time without disturbing the background for that particular frame and having to redraw things that were underneath. So far any search I've tried involving both the word "GIF" and "layer" tends to give me results such as instructions on how to make GIF animations using GIMP or Photoshop -- unfortunately I am very familiar with the GIMP method. I would very grateful for any advice, and if there is some simple method that I've over-looked PLEASE tell me about it. Edited by showtime - 06 June 2011 at 5:24pm
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jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	Posted: 06 June 2011 at 5:31pm
	Mac or PC?
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
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showtime Commander Joined: 14 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 06 June 2011 at 5:32pm
	My bad, PC.
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jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	Posted: 06 June 2011 at 6:00pm
	You'll need help from others then. However, Photoshop (ImageReady) does just what you are asking.
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
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showtime Commander Joined: 14 May 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 06 June 2011 at 6:23pm
	That's weird, I think I used to have ImageReady a couple of years ago and I don't remember it being able to do that. I was also younger and just messing around, though, maybe that's why I don't remember the specifics. Thanks!
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yrizoud Commander Joined: 03 May 2021 Location: France Online Status: Offline Posts: 343	Posted: 07 June 2011 at 7:22am
	Note that the GIF format by itself doesn't support this feature, so when your image is rendered as a GIF file, it's as destructive as if you "flattened layers". Always keep the original animation in your program's proprietary format.
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dpixel Commander Joined: 03 February 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 564	Posted: 07 June 2011 at 8:44am
	yrizoud is correct. I love GraphicsGale. Very simple and geared just for pixel art. You would save your original file as *.gal to preserve the layers and frames. The $20 for .gif support is well worth it imo.
	hehe (ಠ_ಠ ) o_- :p
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