Each layer in the timeline has a dropdown panel that exposes the layer properties (these are the properties that can be animated).
( View large version)Īs you probably noticed from the image above, the video timeline shows a representation of layers in the Layers panel. The timeline shows the current time indicator (3) and existing keyframes (4). The video timeline panel shows a layer (1) with layer properties (2). Let’s go ahead and create a very simple animation to see how this works. The video timeline allows for keyframe animation - which is an animation process in which you define key points of animation along a timeline and Photoshop will interpret the in-between frames to create a cohesive animation. Photoshop has two timelines for you to choose from. I won’t go into any more detail on this timeline I want to focus on the video timeline. It generally works by converting the layers in your Layers panel to individual frames. The frame timeline is for frame-by-frame animation and can be very limiting. Opening the Timeline panel (“Window” → “Timeline”) allows you to select between two types of timelines: video and frame. Practical Techniques On Designing Animation.A Better Way To Design For Retina In Photoshop.Because the topics and techniques in this article are advanced, a moderate level of Photoshop knowledge is expected. We’ll also explore the roles that adjustment layers, filters and smart objects can have in animation (and how to combine all three for some amazing effects). We’ll look at the Timeline panel and the different properties that can be animated. In this article, I will share several advanced techniques to help you create complex animations. These additions have really upped Photoshop’s game.Įven though Photoshop is still a long way off from being able to create the high-end and cinematic animations of such programs as After Effects, it still has enough power to create complex animation - which is especially useful if you don’t want to spend time learning a new application. While animation in Photoshop is not a new concept, it definitely has come a long way in the last few years: The Timeline panel has been overhauled, video layers have been introduced, as has the ability to create keyframe animation.