Photobie Lesson 4 – Dancing Mask

Semester break is over, back to Photobie tutorials! In this Photobie tutorial, we will learn how to create the “dancing mask” effect using Photobie. You may be wondering if there are any benefits to creating such animated images. The answer depends on their uses and the type of website you have. In my opinion, animated images of this kind serve to spice up “funky” blogs, and enhance click through rates. However, if yours is a “goodie-two-shoes” kind of blog, I suppose images of this nature tend to detract readers? I leave you to define “funky” and “goodie-two-shoes”.

Step 1: Start up Photobie and Import Image. Create a new 250 x 250 pixels white background as usual. Import the image you would like to animate, then resize. I have used the picture of a mask obtained through Powerpoint clipart. Notice the lack of description on how to go about carrying out the above. Readers who have been following the lessons should perform the tasks mentioned with ease. For new readers who have just stumbled on this post, welcome and please read the introduction to my photobie lessons.

My apologies for the sidetrack. Let’s continue.

Step 2: Clone images. Remember that animated images are merely a series of static images being rotated at great speed. Hence, to create the dancing mask effect, we need to first clone and position our images within the 250 x 250 pixels background. You should have “0 Background” and “1 New Layer” as shown below:

Clone “1 New Layer”. Drag the newly cloned layer (2 New Layer) diagonally downwards from its parent layer, as shown below:

Now, clone “2 New Layer” and drag “3 New Layer” diagonally upwards. See the pattern? Rinse and repeat and you should get something like that.

At this stage, I have a total of 9 layers. You can have as many or as little layers as you like. The more layers you have (i.e. gaps between images are small), the more time consuming it is but the smoother the transition of images. Save your work!

Step 3: More cloning? Why aren’t we done? The reason is simple. Whenever you create animated images, you need to picture in your mind how the animation works. Now that we have gone one way across (left to right), we need to come back across (right to left) to complete the animated image. Makes sense? Ok, to do that, simple clone the second last layer (in my case, “8 New Layer”), followed by the layer before it till you reach the second layer (in this example, “2 New Layer”).

Step 4: Getting the individual frames up. Clone the background to match the number of layers you have and merge each background with each layer. Ensure you do not mess up the sequence of images.

Step 5: Animation time. Go to Animation Control Panel and set the time delay for all frames to 200. Save your animated image.

Did you get what I have? If you don’t which step did you not follow? I have purposely left out the specific instructions for various steps, for most readers already know how to navigate and use the Photobie functions to obtain the desired effects. My guess is readers will face some difficulties with Step 4. Please do contact me if you require further elaboration on any steps listed above. I will be more than happy to assist.

Have fun with your design! =)