Ever Created animated GIF’s on MAC?

[Sean S]

The following are the PRE-REQUISITES for the GIF’s

You mainly need a utility called convert which is a part of imagemagick.

To create the animated GIF’s you need to first install HOMBREW via the following command:

ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

Further install the utility with the following command:

brew install imagemagick

You need to set up a workflow through AUTOMATOR for this to work seamlessly
1> Open AUTOMATOR
2> Choose SERVICE
3> Open FILE AND FOLDERS from the pull down menu
4> Select FINDER
5> Drag Search for GET SELECTED FINDER ITEMS from the ACTION bar on the right top corner of your screen.
6> Also choose RUN SHEEL SCRIPT from the same area.
7> For the PASS INPUT, choose AS ARGUMENTS
8> Enter the following command in the field

/usr/local/bin/convert -delay 20 -loop 0 "[email protected]" ~/Desktop/animated.gif

9> Save the following file
10> Save the service and give it name as you please.

To use the same, you’ll need to

Choose a picture of your choice, right click and then Choose SERVICES-->MAKE ANIMATED GIF’s

After doing the same, a file name animated.gif will appear on your desktop.

Hence, you have learned to create GIF’s on your mac.

Go on, set them as your profile picture as you please.

P.S You can even customize the speed and looping by using the following commands
-delay 20 (Time in 100s/Frame)
-loop 0 (it negates the looping of gif, you can add and change it as needed).

[Mawkisha]

Re: Ever Created animated GIF’s on MAC?

Great stuff! I have absolutely no idea on how to create an animated gif, but I was just thinking it was about time I learned. Seems a bit technical, but I'll give it a shot.

[Sean S]

Re: Ever Created animated GIF’s on MAC?

Thanks for the kudos Mawkisha. Yes it is technical but really a FUN thing to do on MAC.

Do let me know if you face any problems....Would be happy to help.

All though, I would like to share a few of them faced by me.

1> If the command mentioned by me does not work, please refer the website for HOMEBREWand download the same from there

brew.sh (surprisingly that is the whole URL to download the package)

2> Once you run your command in AUTOMATOR, you may get a problem with the path /usr/local/bin/convert. Please do check if the animated gif actually exists on your desktop as the default path is ~/Desktop/animated.gif.

3> Do check the name of the file as well.