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six-h
six-h
Known Participant
November 29, 2024
Answered

Adding a text file to an animated GIF

  • November 29, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 3048 views

I'm trying to add a PNG or GIF format piece of text with transparent background into an animated GIF.

 

I've tried following the instructions HERE but they are not working, I cannot find any "Timeline" as is mentioned separate from the Layers Panel, I don't think the method is intended for us poor cousins of "PS".

Can anyone help me?

I'm using Photoshop Elements 2019

Correct answer Trevor.Dennis

With Photoshop it's simply a mater of selecting all of the frames (this is important) and adding the text layer to the top of the stack.  It really is that straight forward.  If you find you get out of sync, then select all of the frames again, and turn the text layer off, and turn it back on again.  That should sort it out.

Sorry, I have never used Elements.

3 replies

F
FRANCESCA34930915pmf3
Participant
April 12, 2025

Yes I have the same problem. It doesn't work 

six-h
six-hAuthor
Known Participant
April 12, 2025

Follow the advice given by Trevor.Dennis above and with patience, It works!

Iam convinced that I did exactly that the first time and it didn't work, after reading Trevor's solution and re-diong exactly what I thought I had done previously, ...it worked!
No idea why that was but I'm happy so I won't poke it again! 😆

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Trevor.DennisCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 29, 2024

With Photoshop it's simply a mater of selecting all of the frames (this is important) and adding the text layer to the top of the stack.  It really is that straight forward.  If you find you get out of sync, then select all of the frames again, and turn the text layer off, and turn it back on again.  That should sort it out.

Sorry, I have never used Elements.

    six-h
    six-hAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 30, 2024

    Thanks Trevor but what you have said is exactly the same as the advice in the link I included in my first post.

    I suspect they too are working in Photoshop sadly, I could never countenence the cost of it just for my own pleasure.

    Elements, does not have the luxury of the "Timeline" shown in your example, so I have done precisely what you have described, and damn me, it has worked this time!!

    Don't know just what fairy dust you use, but I could sure do with a bag!

    Thanks for (somehow) guiding me down the right path!

    AlanGilbertson
    Community Expert
    AlanGilbertsonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 29, 2024

    I've not used Elements in a very long time, but my guess is that you can do this with the free Adobe Express without too much difficulty. There's tiny open source app, gifski, that will do it too, and produces an excellent result in next-to-no time. You can download it from GitHub or the Apple app store.

    six-h
    six-hAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 29, 2024

    Thanks for that Alan, just looked at Github and this "gifski converts video frames to GIF" makes me think it isn't what I'm looking for.

    I already have the GIF, it's 22 frames  timed at 0.05sec of a Robin singing, complete with frozen breath cloud, so no sound required (Ha)

    All I want to do is overlay Text in another single transparent GIF Frame over every one of the 22 animated frames.

    The best I've achieved is to just add a frame showing the text which then looks like an old 8mm movie with a recurrent skipped frame!

     

    AlanGilbertson
    Community Expert
    AlanGilbertsonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 29, 2024

    If you don't have the original frames, then Giphy will work with an existing animated GIF.

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