M|chael Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) Producing Animated GIF Avatars from Youtube Videos Theres a LOT of these request topics floating around. Maybe this tutorial will lessen the traffic. Required Programmes VirtualDUB An open source video manipulatorAn image manipulation programme caipable of editing animated GIFs -------------------- For this example I will be working with Step Number Explanation Screenshot Step 1 Copy Video URL (Add '&fmt=18' For HQ) Click Step 2 Paste URL Into Vixy Step 3 Select 'Save as AVI' and Download when converted Click -> Click Step 4 Open VirtualDub and import AVI Step 5 Crop Click Step 6 Select range and resize to 64x64 Click -> Click Step 7 Export as GIF Animation Click Step 8 Import into Image manipulation Software Step 9 Change Canvas to 60x60 and White. Save Step 10 Re-open, change canvas size to 62x62. Save Step 11 Re-open, change canvas to black & 64x64. Save Step 12 Upload to image host. Click Steps 9 through 11 were to achieve the effect of a dual coloured boarder for those confused -------------------- I can generally do these in about 2 - 3 minutes including processing time. It becomes easy after a few tries. & Once again: Now, no more PM's! Edited October 21, 2010 by M|chael Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narcis_speed6 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 thanks allot Michael i always wondered where can i get a clear tutorial, and here it is Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414325 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunk Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Another extremely helpful guide, Michael. You really should get a commend or something for your help around the Requests section. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414403 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narcis_speed6 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 how can i cut the wanted parts from a video? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414459 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 how can i cut the wanted parts from a video? Step 6 : Select Range You change the offset from the start and finish. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414484 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narcis_speed6 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 how can i cut the wanted parts from a video? Step 6 : Select Range You change the offset from the start and finish. i knew i was doing it ok, but after exporting it the gif is not moving (maybe my pc problem ) Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414488 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjimino234 Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 This should be added in the archive. Good work. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414489 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesguru Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Thanks for this. I only know methods via Flash and Photoshop. Flash gives terrible quality, and Photoshop won't let me import videos saying I don't have Quicktime (which I do). So this is much appreciated . Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) how can i cut the wanted parts from a video? Step 6 : Select Range You change the offset from the start and finish. i knew i was doing it ok, but after exporting it the gif is not moving (maybe my pc problem ) Nope I doubt it will be a PC problem. Are you sure your EXPORTING as an ANIMATED gif? and not just 'saving as gif' & Thanks for everyones feedback its appriciated Edited August 12, 2009 by M|chael Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414571 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blizzard14 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Great tutorial. Im adding this to my Tutorial Archive. Thanks again! Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059414903 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I do a similar tutorial and it gets ignored. He does this one and gets a ton of replies. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059415085 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmachine Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 This really is a great tutorial! Good job! One thing: how do I reduce the file size of my .gif? Right now it is at 171kb. I tried looking in ImageReady for some settings, but nothing. I assume it's not possible in VirtualDub, because it didn't ask me for any quality settings. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059415114 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 @ Ed: There are a number of ways. Firstly, you could try using the non HQ URL (if you added &fmt=18) at the start, secondly, you could try changing the range parametres so the loop is smaller. There is also the ablility to edit the frame rate in VirtualDub. Furthermore you could remove every other frame once your inside your image manipulation software. This will cut the size by half. Finally, you can try optimising from your image software. In photoshop, I believe its called 'save for web', and in fireworks theres the 'export wizard' which allows you to type in your desired filesize and it wil do its best to cram it down for you. There is many many more approaches to a smaller filesize too, its just a matter of finding them out & @ Wolf : I didn't see that, but it looks like youve gone about it generally the same way. Youve taken the long route though. Remember, virtualdub can do pretty much all of the work apart from the boarder. Its just a case of exploiting it. Kudos for your tutorial though, If id have seen it I honestly might not have bothered. & @ Blizzard. Thanks for the additional feedback. I didnt know you had an archive though, did gta_talk hand over the keys? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059415446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Guru Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Very handy tutorial. You make everything so simple. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059415471 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmachine Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I discovered a way to cut file sizes up to 10x times or more! In ImageReady, in the Optimize window, where it says Preset, choose GIF 64. I don't know the difference between Dithered and No dither, but No dither looks fine. Outcome: No border yet, though. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059415490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 I discovered a way to cut file sizes up to 10x times or more! In ImageReady, in the Optimize window, GIF 64. I don't know the difference between Dithered and No ditherNo border yet, though. Yeah its looking good, if a little patchy, but Its always a compromise when you have limits. GIF64 has less colours in its palette than normal. Dithering means that photoshop will be making a new colour from overlaying 2 existing colours around eachother as dots, giving the effect of a new colour. It makes everything look smoother. & Thanks Guru Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059415503 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blizzard14 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 & @ Blizzard. Thanks for the additional feedback. I didnt know you had an archive though, did gta_talk hand over the keys? I dont know if you were being sarcastic or anything, but I just copy and paste the link onto a well organised Table in MS Mord Works! Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059416014 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanSquid Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I have added it to the the archive. Very nice tutorial by the way. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059416071 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 & @ Blizzard. Thanks for the additional feedback. I didnt know you had an archive though, did gta_talk hand over the keys? I dont know if you were being sarcastic or anything, but I just copy and paste the link onto a well organised Table in MS Mord Works! Oh, YOUR Archive, I thought you meant a GTAF Tutorial Topic archive or something & Thanks gta_talk, I tried to make it mimick the other one I made for Xara3d, since I was pretty happy with the layout of that. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059416237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanSquid Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 & @ Blizzard. Thanks for the additional feedback. I didnt know you had an archive though, did gta_talk hand over the keys? I dont know if you were being sarcastic or anything, but I just copy and paste the link onto a well organised Table in MS Mord Works! Oh, YOUR Archive, I thought you meant a GTAF Tutorial Topic archive or something & Thanks gta_talk, I tried to make it mimick the other one I made for Xara3d, since I was pretty happy with the layout of that. Yes it is very nice layout. straight to the point step by step and not 20 paragraphs on how to do a simple task. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059416267 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-Vercetti19 Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Brilliant Michael, Been wondering on how to do this for a days age now. Thanks a bunch. The layout is top notch. Cookies all round. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059417968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanSquid Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 There is also an easier way to do this that doesn't involve using VirtualDub but you need PS, save it as a .MOV then import video to layers in PS, only works for .MOVs though. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059420091 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jur1zz Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 What's wrong Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059444688 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 @ ^ : Try following this. Should fix the missing codec and allow you to follow the tutorial through and make Gifs using this method. I seem to remember encountering a similar problem myself some time ago. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059444759 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jur1zz Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 (edited) Edited August 25, 2009 by Jur1zz Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059444856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 ^^ Seems like you've pretty much got the hang of it But, whoah , that second animation is huuuge! It might help if you were to cut down the range on that video (The first clip of homer and the vaccum is easily enough) Furthermore, try going through the frames and deleting every other one (See below) . Then repeat that process a few times. (FW) It will make things run faster (at the risk of becoming choppy) and will also cut down filesize Good Luck! Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059463949 Share on other sites More sharing options...
okei Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Does anybody else get an error from Vixy.com saying Error: URL resolve error. (YouTube.com is down??) Is it a temporary thing? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059488924 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narcis_speed6 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 happens to me too, i dont know what wrong Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059489082 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf68k Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 (edited) If I'm reading it right the steps about opening the GIF in an image editor and changing the canvas and what not is just to add the white border. There is another way and one you can add to VirtualDub to do it for you Go here and download this add on Border Control http://www.geocities.com/siwalters_uk/fnews.html get th one in green under VirtualDub. Within the zip file is a file called BrdCntrl235.vdf copy that to the VirutalDub/plugins folder Now under Filters you'll see Border Control However using it isn't as simple as it should be sadly. Instead of being able to just simply type the numbers you want into the fields you have to to click on the up/down arrows (you can just click and hold on the arrows). Going off the same tutorial example (different video) just add 1 for the top, bottom, left, and right "Black Region" then change Red, Green and Blue to 255 to get white (the default is 0 which gets you black) To get the same effect as what Michael has with a black (outside) and white (inside) border just use the folder twice. First with the white border using let's say 2 all around. Then follow that with the black with 1 all around. If you do it the other way around the white will cover the black. Edited September 13, 2009 by Wolf68k Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059493652 Share on other sites More sharing options...
M|chael Posted September 13, 2009 Author Share Posted September 13, 2009 Thanks for that Wolf, it cuts out the need for any image software altogether, meaning literally anyone can make these avatars now, as all the software needed is open source. Kudos for the find! Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/421463-tutorial-by-michael/#findComment-1059493710 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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