Hi everyone!
I really been into graphic design for about 2 years now and I'm starting to think about careers. However there's an important part that I still can't manage.
Can anyone give me templates of animated banners? I'm attaching a photo of one a friend sent me with each layer so you know what I mean, I'm not always good at explaining lol.
I had my banner done on here that I also used for my IMVU shop but the way that turned out with photos and text was a nightmare! I'm attaching that photo too.

Pretty much I want to learn how to do graphics with layers and animation and make transparent words that don't look awful


If anyone could give me some templates so I can get started and learn from them, that would be much appreciated! I have GIMP and Photoshop so either one is fine although I do prefer GIMP. And with animated layers, does anyone get them from websites that offer free ones?


xcf file of how I added my photos and text. I'm not doing something right. Explain?
http://jmp.sh/1DTfIVG

Template from friend showing layers (needed!)
https://2img.net/h/i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq201/sentinelofsilence/graphics/layers_zps75kbbat5.png

Banner from GC member zoey900:
https://2img.net/h/i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq201/sentinelofsilence/graphics/imvu%20background_zpsz66fqrfz.gif

My mess...
https://2img.net/h/i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq201/sentinelofsilence/graphics/imvu%20banner%20animated_zpss8jgnvjz.gif

I'm not sure what you mean by template (.psds? Or just already-made .gifs?) but you could check out this tutorial on how to create a simple gif with Photoshop, even capping your own scenes for it. If you're just looking for ready made .gifs that you can put in the background of your graphics, all you need is google. You can google for example "falling snow gif" or "rose petals gif" and results should come up for those. If you save them you'll get all the different layers and then you can put them on top of your graphic (I would recommend setting each layer on Screen to make them blend naturally).

I guess a .psd would probably help you the most, but unfortunately I haven't made a .gif in ages and don't have one at the moment. It looks like you already got the basics from your example, though. Perhaps if you can specify more what you're having trouble with I can try to help more.

Sailor Mercury wrote:

I'm not sure what you mean by template (.psds? Or just already-made .gifs?) but you could check out this tutorial on how to create a simple gif with Photoshop, even capping your own scenes for it. If you're just looking for ready made .gifs that you can put in the background of your graphics, all you need is google. You can google for example "falling snow gif" or "rose petals gif" and results should come up for those. If you save them you'll get all the different layers and then you can put them on top of your graphic (I would recommend setting each layer on Screen to make them blend naturally).

I guess a .psd would probably help you the most, but unfortunately I haven't made a .gif in ages and don't have one at the moment. It looks like you already got the basics from your example, though. Perhaps if you can specify more what you're having trouble with I can try to help more.

psd files that have the banners already made but as a template. psd files or xcf from gimp. I want to see the layers and how they were animated with timing and order and that. The one I made that's a mess, the background was done by a GC member. I need to learn stuff like that. She gave me the template and I was able to open it with gimp and see the layers of animations.

This template from my friend is what I need to understand it. Not just a gif but the template with layers. It will help teach me the animation and layers. If I add a layer lets say of a photo or text, it comes out terrible quality and sometimes disappears. I do use GIMP but I have photoshop (not so good with that)

https://s448.photobucket.com/user/sentinelofsilence/media/graphics/layers_zps75kbbat5.png.html

Ah, well, like I said, most animated backgrounds with light/falling object animations can be found on google. I don't think anyone around here actually makes them from scratch. So if you save an already made gif and open it up on Photoshop, you should be able to see all the layers and frames as well as the timing (Click on Window > Animation if your animation window isn't up yet). From that point you just need to add your still picture and text on top of everything and you should be good.

I don't have GIMP so I'm afraid I can't help you much with that program

Sailor Mercury wrote:

Ah, well, like I said, most animated backgrounds with light/falling object animations can be found on google. I don't think anyone around here actually makes them from scratch. So if you save an already made gif and open it up on Photoshop, you should be able to see all the layers and frames as well as the timing (Click on Window > Animation if your animation window isn't up yet). From that point you just need to add your still picture and text on top of everything and you should be good.

I don't have GIMP so I'm afraid I can't help you much with that program

I'll need more examples of them if you or anyone has blank backgrounds or basic signatures with one picture or a text that I can learn from. I can do it with photoshop. It just might take me a while to get used to it.

Okay I recently made my avatar, this one has a simple falling snow animation. Here is the .psd if you'd like to take a look: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqmzlf4snmk472p/av.psd?dl=0

What version of PS do you use? I have a reall really old one.

Not sure if you mean me or Sentinel but I have PS CS5.

Sailor Mercury wrote:

Okay I recently made my avatar, this one has a simple falling snow animation. Here is the .psd if you'd like to take a look: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqmzlf4snmk472p/av.psd?dl=0

I'm not great with PS since I'm new, but how do I look at your individual frames that are animated? I want to see the time you have on it.

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Here's what I need to see. The animated timing on each layer. I don't know how to view that on photoshop :/



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Hey since I work GIMP easier, could I delete layers and save them pretty much one by one in png and gif files?

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Do you know how to convert psd to xcf? I'm searching online and I've tried a few things. I saved it as a xcf but it doesn't show layers

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Sailor Mercury wrote:

Okay I recently made my avatar, this one has a simple falling snow animation. Here is the .psd if you'd like to take a look: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqmzlf4snmk472p/av.psd?dl=0

Here's what I need to see. The animated timing on each layer. I don't know how to view that on photoshop :/

Click Window > Animation to bring up the Animation window.

Sailor Mercury wrote:

Click Window > Animation to bring up the Animation window.

Thanks I'll check it out, btw, I love that stocking sticker! Are those available somewhere or just for staff?

They were given out for the Festibration Calendar last year ^^ I'm not sure if they're re-releasing it this year but you should keep a lookout as new goodies will be given out everyday starting in a few days.

Sailor Mercury wrote:

They were given out for the Festibration Calendar last year ^^ I'm not sure if they're re-releasing it this year but you should keep a lookout as new goodies will be given out everyday starting in a few days.

Ohhh what section? I'm part of the party planners, can I find it there?

Sailor Mercury wrote:

Click Window > Animation to bring up the Animation window.

Hey since I work GIMP easier, could I delete layers and save them pretty much one by one in png and gif files?

Sailor Mercury wrote:

Ah, well, like I said, most animated backgrounds with light/falling object animations can be found on google. I don't think anyone around here actually makes them from scratch. So if you save an already made gif and open it up on Photoshop, you should be able to see all the layers and frames as well as the timing (Click on Window > Animation if your animation window isn't up yet). From that point you just need to add your still picture and text on top of everything and you should be good.

I don't have GIMP so I'm afraid I can't help you much with that program

Do you know how to convert psd to xcf? I'm searching online and I've tried a few things. I saved it as a xcf but it doesn't show layers

SentinelOfSilence wrote:

Sailor Mercury wrote:

They were given out for the Festibration Calendar last year ^^ I'm not sure if they're re-releasing it this year but you should keep a lookout as new goodies will be given out everyday starting in a few days.

Ohhh what section? I'm part of the party planners, can I find it there?

The thread will be posted in this forum. It will be open for everyone.

SentinelOfSilence wrote:

Sailor Mercury wrote:

Click Window > Animation to bring up the Animation window.

Hey since I work GIMP easier, could I delete layers and save them pretty much one by one in png and gif files?

Do you know how to convert psd to xcf? I'm searching online and I've tried a few things. I saved it as a xcf but it doesn't show layers

I know nothing about GIMP, I'm sorry. Princess Moon uses it, she might be able to help you out.

Also, please don't double or triple post, edit your post if you want to add new things ^^