GIFs are back! The popular file format for short video clips can easily be made in Adobe Premiere Pro. Here’s how to create an animated GIF in Adobe Premiere. Or, watch my two-minute video tutorial.
SEE ALSO: How to Change Video Speed in Adobe Premiere Pro
Step 1: Identify Clip Length & Size
The first step in creating a GIF in Adobe Premiere Pro is to set up a clip we want to export as a GIF. This can be the entire sequence, or a portion of a sequence. Keep in mind GIFs are usually only a few seconds in length.
I personally recommend using a separate sequence for creating the GIF as you can zoom in or out of the sequence as desired and create a customized resolution for the GIF.
Either crop the clip to the desired length of the GIF or place “In” and “Out” markers in your sequence.
Sequence Settings
If using a dedicated sequence as recommended, go to your sequence settings as shown in the image below:
Change the frame size in the “Video” tab to the horizontal and vertical size you desire for your GIF. Keep in mind performance is a concern with GIFs and they generally have very low resolution sizes. A size of 256 x 256 is not unusual and I never go above 500 x 500 for GIF images. I also find square (1:1) ratios are most common with GIF files.
Click “OK” to exit the Sequence Settings window.
Step 2: Export Settings
With the length and resolution set for our clip, we are ready to export the video to GIF format.
Click on File – Export – Media. The media export workspace will open.
2.1: Set Video Export Format
We can ignore the “Preset” setting, but we need to change the “Format” setting. From the dropdown box, choose “Animated GIF.”
Note there is also an option for “GIF” but this is not what we want. Choose “Animated GIF” instead.
2.2: Frame Size
If you didn’t previously set the size of your video clip, you can adjust it here. If the video is already sized to the proper resolution, you can skip this step.
Uncheck the box next to “Frame Size.” Then choose “Custom.” (It’s the last option)
Enter a resolution for your GIF that works for you. 256 x 256 is common but you can choose your own size if you wish.
If you wish to enter a resolution size that’s different from the sequence settings, you may need to click the “lock” icon between the width and height values. This will allow you to enter a square (or other) resolution for the GIF file.
2.3: Frame Rate
GIF files generally have low frame rates. They’re often “jumpy” as a result. This is because GIFs were created in the early days of the internet and performance was a concern. Even today, GIFs commonly use between 10-15 frames per second (FPS).
Uncheck the box next to “Frame Rate” and choose a frame rate. I generally use 12.5 FPS.
Step 3: Export GIF
The final step is to press the GIF. Make sure to name the file and choose where you want it to be saved.
There you go! Now you know how to make GIFs in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Brandon Stocking
