GIF Engineer PRO Manual
GIF Engineer is video to animated gif image converter and animation creator app. You can also add up to 5 layers of text, images, drawings and face for face swap to created gif image.
The app can be used in two modes:
- Video to GIF image converter – create animated gif images from your videos.
- Animation creator – select frames from a video and add text, images and drawings to create animated gif image.
App user interface
App user interface consists of
- App mode selector – to select video to gif or animation mode.
- Video screen with video navigation buttons
- Load video buttons – there are two options to load video from library or from file
- Text, image, drawing and face controls check boxes for enabling addition of text, image and drawing. When checked then relative ITEXT, IMAGE and DRAWING controls are opened.
- TEXT controls – for controlling the added text.
- IMAGE controls – for controlling added images.
- DRAWING controls – for controlling added drawings.
- FACE controls – for controlling face swap
- Animation controls – for working with frames
- GIF export options panel – for controlling the output gif size, speed, frames per second, crop, loop, reverse and forward and backward options.
- GIF preview controls with buttons to preview, save, view and share created gif image.
App mode selector
With app mode selector you can switch between two app modes:
- Video to GIF – for creation of gif images from vide
- Animation creator – for creation of animations from several frames
Video screen and video navigation buttons
On video screen loaded videos are displayed. Navigation buttons are:
- Play/Pause
- Skip back – 10 minutes
- Skip back – 1 minute
- Skip back 10 seconds
- 1 frame backward (-F)
- 1 frame forward (+F)
- Skip forward 10 seconds
- Skip forward 1 minute
- Skip forward 10 minutes
- You can also use seek bar to move across the video
Depending on video length only relevant buttons are displayed.
Video load buttons
Videos can be loaded in two ways:
- Load video – to load videos from device media library
- Load file – to load video from a file
Text, image, drawing and face controls
You can add text, images, drawings and face to created gif. To enable this option check the check box for each element. When check box is checked then TEXT controls, IMAGE controls, DRAWING and FACE controls become visible.
VIDEO controls
Video controls are used for selection a part from loaded video. You can make a selection in several ways:
- unlock the START and END spinners by unchecking LOCK checkbox and dial the START and END position. Press [GIF PREVIEW] button to see and fine adjust the start and end positions.
- play video and while video is playing press [SET START] at the start of selection and then [SET END] at the end of selection. Press [GIF PREVIEW] button to see the selection. Then you can fine adjust start and end position using the spinners.
You can lock the spinners using LOCK checkbox in order not to change the selection involuntarily.
MULTI SEGMENT
Multi segment option allows creation and addition of several selections in order to create a gif from several parts of the video. To activate this option cjeck MULTI SEGMENT checkbox and the controls will become visible. Then set start and end position of the first segment and when you are ready press [ADD SEGMENT]. Then select start an end position of second segment and press [ADD SEGMENT]. In this way you can create multiple segments and when you create gif it will include all segments.
You can also remove last added segment using [DELETE SEGMENT] and clear all segments using [CLEAR SEGMENTS].
EXPORT FRAMES
You can export frames from video selection into animation frames. To do this enable this option by checking EXPORT FRAMES TO ANIMATION check box. Then when you have made a selection or multi selections from a video press the button [EXPORT FRAMES] and frames will be exported in ANIMATION panel for further processing on them.
GIF export controls
Gif export controls control how the gif is created.
- Crop – when checked the crop controls appear and you can select part of the image to make the gif
- GIF size – use this to select the gif width and height in pixels
- Frames per second (FPS) – select created GIF frames per second
- Speed – to change GIF speed
- Forward and backward option – when this is checked then to original frames a set of new frames will be added consisteng of original frames, but backwards. This creates smooth gif loops.
- Backward direction – to change the direction of the GIF backwards
- Loop – to create looped GIF
GIF preview controls
GIF preview controls are:
- PREVIEW GIF – for previewing gif that will be created. Note that options for reverse and forward and backward are visible only in animation mode
- SAVE – to save created gif image to device media library in folder {GIF Engineer}
- VIEW – to open saved gif image from device storage
- SHARE to share created gif image
TEXT Controls
Text controls are activated when TEXT check box for addition of text is checked. There are up to 5 layers of text that can be added.
Select active layer using ACTIVE LAYER radio button and write the text. You can change font size, style, color and transparency using sliders.
- Size – font size
- Color – font color. On slider you start with black, then different colors and at the end you have grays and white color.
- Layer transparency – for adjustment transparency of the text
Also text can be zoomed in/out, moved and rotated using pinch zoom and rotate with two fingers.
Also double tap zooms in and long click zooms out.
You can change layer visibility using VISIBILITY check boxes for each layer.
IMAGE Controls
Image controls are activated when IMAGE check box for addition of images is checked. There are up to 5 layers of images that can be added.
Image controls work in two modes:
- MOVE mode – for moving, rotating, zooming the images
- BLEND mode – for erasing part of the image to blend it in the frame. When BLEND mode is active then the BLEND controls (offset, size, undo and reset) are visible.
Load image controls
Images can be loaded in two ways:
- Load Image – to load image from device media library
- Load File – to load image from file
Image adjustment controls
Image adjustment controls are:
- Brightness – adjusts image brightness
- Contrast – adjusts image contrast
- Layer transparency – to adjust transparency of an image layer
- Red – adjusts red color
- Green – adjusts green color
- Blue – adjusts blue color
MOVE controls
MOVE controls are for moving the image and adjusting zoom and rotation. They are active when MOVE radio button is selected.
- Zoom in
- Zoom out
- Flip horizontal
- Flip vertical
- Rotate left
- Rotate right
- Arrows for moving up/down/right/left
The buttons repeat the action on press and hold.
Also images can be zoomed in/out, moved and rotated using pinch zoom and rotate with two fingers.
BLEND controls
BLEND controls are for erasing part of the image to blend the picture in the frame. They are active when BLEND radio button is selected.
- Offset – to use offset in different direction between finger touch and the eraser. This is to make visible the eraser when its size is small and not visible under the finger
- Size – eraser size
- Undo – for undoing the last actions
- Reset – to reset the image
Eraser works in this way:
- on screen touch the eraser is seen as white circle and is not active. In this way you can adjust eraser size and offset
- on touch and hold a red circle appears and now eraser is seen as red and white dashed circle. Now eraser is in active mode and when you move your finger it erases the image
DRAWING Controls
Drawing controls are activated when DRAWING check box for addition of drawings is checked. There are up to 5 layers of drawings that can be added.
Active layer is selected using ACTIVE LAYER radio buttons. Only one layer can be active at a time. Visibility of different layers can be changed with VISIBILITY check boxes.
Image controls work in two modes:
- DRAW mode – in this mode you can draw
- MOVE mode – for moving, rotating, zooming the drawings. When MOVE mode is selected then the controls for moving become visible.
DRAW controls
- Size – brush size – you can view brush sample
- Color – brush color. On slider you start with clear color (for erasing), then black, then different colors and at the end you have grays and white color.
- Saturation – brush color saturation
- Layer transparency – for adjustment transparency of the layer
On each layer you can draw with different brush color and size.
MOVE controls
MOVE controls are for moving the drawing and adjusting zoom and rotation. They are active when MOVE radio button is selected.
- Zoom in
- Zoom out
- Flip horizontal
- Flip vertical
- Rotate left
- Rotate right
- Arrows for moving up/down/right/left
Also drawings can be zoomed in/out, moved and rotated using pinch zoom and rotate with two fingers.
FACE Controls
Face controls are activated when FACE check box for addition of face for face swap is checked.
Face swap works in this way:
- add face picture
- choose which face to use if there are more than one face
- extract face using EXTRACT FACE button or select blend mode and erase the area around face (head)
- prepare video selection or add frames to animation with faces in them
- adjust face brightness, contrast, red, green and blue colors to match target face
- select target face for swap if there are more than one
- save gif by pressing SAVE button
- target face in created gif will be swapped with source face
Face controls work in two modes:
- MOVE mode – for moving, rotating, zooming the face
- BLEND mode – for erasing part of the image to blend face in the frame. When BLEND mode is active then the BLEND controls (offset, size, undo and reset) are visible.
Load face controls
Faces can be loaded in two ways:
- Load Image – to load face from device media library image
- Load File – to load face from image file
- Show checkbox – to show/hide face
Select face controls
Spinner [SELECT FACE] is used to select a face if on loaded image there are many faces. After face is selected then you can clear the area around the face in one of these ways:
- detect face using [DETECT FACE] button – image is cropped so only face is left on image. If face image is not good enough head detection will be performed.
- detect head using [DETECT HEAD] button – image is cropped so only circle around head is left.
- switch to BLEND mode and erase the image so only face or head is visible.
Face adjustment controls
Face adjustment controls are:
- Brightness – adjusts face brightness
- Contrast – adjusts face contrast
- Layer transparency – to adjust transparency of an face layer
- Red – adjusts red color
- Green – adjusts green color
- Blue – adjusts blue color
BLEND controls
BLEND controls are for erasing part of the image to blend the face in the frame. They are active when BLEND radio button is selected.
- Offset – to use offset in different direction between finger touch and the eraser. This is to make visible the eraser when its size is small and not visible under the finger
- Size – eraser size
- Undo – for undoing the last actions
- Reset – to reset the image
Eraser works in this way:
- on first screen touch the eraser is seen as white circle and is not active. In this way you can adjust eraser size and offset
- on touch and hold a red circle appears and now eraser is seen as red and white dashed circle. Now eraser is in active mode and when you move your finger it erases the image
ANIMATION Controls
Animation controls are used in animation mode where you create animation frame by frame using video frames, text, images and drawings. All captured frames are visible in animation frames set. When a frame is selected there is green border around animation screen and around the frame in animation frames set. Make sure that no frame is selected in order to view current state of animation screen.
- ADD FRAME – when pressed then current video frame is added to animation frames set
- Arrows for selecting frames forward and backward – use them to move through the frames. Between the arrows the number of selected frame is visible. When a frame is selected there is green border around animation screen and around the frame in animation frames set. Frame can be unselected by touching selected frame in animation frames set.
- APPLY (text/image/drawing) TO SELECTED FRAME – this button is visible only when MODIFY FRAMES checkbox is checked. By pressing it you apply visible text/image/drawing to selected frame
- Background color slider – for changing animation background when no video is used in animation
- Animation delay – changes delay between frames. You can select it as time delay for slow change and frames per seconds for fast changes.
- Animation frames set – here are all captured frames added via button [ADD FRAME]. When you touch a frame in animation frames set the frame is selected/unselected. Make sure that no frame is selected in order to view current state of animation screen. You can reorder frames by touch and hold and moving a frame.
- Delete frame – deletes the selected frame
- Restore frame – restores deleted frame
- Clear frames – clears all frames in animation frames set
- Duplicate frame – duplicates selected frame
- Export frame – exports selected frame in device media gallery in {GIF Engineer} folder
- Export all – exports all frames in device media gallery in {GIF Engineer} folder
MODIFY FRAMES
When MODIFY FRAMES checkbox is checked then frames can be modified by adding text, images and drawings.
By pressing the button [APPLY TO SELECTED] the visible texts, images or drawings are added to selected frame. This button is doubled also above the animation frames set, next to arrows for selecting frames. This is to ease the work.
By pressing the button [APPLY TO ALL FRAMES] the visible texts, images and drawings are added to all frames.
HOW TO USE:
Video to GIF image converter
- Load video from:
- phone gallery – [LOAD VIDEO] button
- file – [LOAD FILE] button
2. Play video – [PLAY] button.
3. Select part of the video using buttons [SET START] and [SET END] while the video is playing.
4. Fine tune the selection using spinners for start and end. You can fine tune up to millisecond.
5. Optionally add text by checking [ADD TEXT]. You can select text position, size and color.
6. Optionally add image by checking [ADD IMAGE] and loading image. You can move, rotate and pinch zoom image. Also double tap zooms in the image and press and hold zooms out the image. You can also control image brightness, contrast, transparency, red, blue and green color.
7. Preview GIF by pressing [PREVIEW GIF] button and fine tune the selection using start and end spinners if needed.
8. Select GIF options – GIF size {GIF SIZE}, frames per second {FPS}, speed {SPEED} and forward and backward {FW&BW} where also frames in reverse order are added in order to create smooth loop.
9. Create and save GIF image using button [CREATE GIF]. GIF image is saved in phone pictures directory.
10. Open and see the created GIF image using [OPEN] button.
11. Share image using [SHARE] button.
Animation creator
In this mode you can combine video, pictures and text to create animation. You can use also skip loading video and use only text and pictures and change their position and size to create animation.
- Load video from:
- phone gallery – [LOAD VIDEO] button
- file – [LOAD FILE] button
2. Play video or seek into video using seek buttons and select frames that you want to include.
3. Optionally you can add text to current frame by checking [ADD TEXT]. You can select text position, size and color.
4. Optionally add image by checking [ADD IMAGE] and loading image. You can move, rotate and pinch zoom image. Also double tap zooms in the image and press and hold zooms out the image. You can also control image brightness, contrast, transparency, red, blue and green color.
5. Add frame by pressing [ADD FRAME]. If you have chosen to add text then text will be added to this frame.
6. You can change frames order by using press and hold and move them or delete captured frames by selecting them and pressing [DELETE FRAME] button.
7. Set delay between pictures using {DELAY} spinner.
8. Preview GIF using [PREVIEW GIF] button.
9. Select GIF options – GIF size {GIF SIZE}, frames per second {FPS}, speed {SPEED} and forward and backward {FW&BW}
10. Create and save GIF by pressing [CREATE GIF] button.
11. Open GIF using [OPEN] button.
12. Share GIF using [SHARE] button.
FACE SWAP FEATURE
How to use face swap feature in making gif from video
1. Load video from device gallery or file
2. Play video – [PLAY] button.
3. Select part of the video using buttons [SET START] and [SET END] while the video is playing.
4. Fine tune the selection using spinners for start and end. Unlock the spinners first using lock checkbox.
5. Now let’s add face. Check face checkbox to enable FACE CONTROLS. FACE CONTROLS become visible.
6. Load face image from device using [LOAD FACE] button or from file using [LOAD FILE] button.
7. If face image has more than one face you can select from [SELECT FACE} spinner which one to use as source face.
8. Extract face using [EXTRACT FACE] button or select blend mode using BLEND radio button and erase the area around face (head). You can work with just face or with the head.
9. Adjust face brightness, contrast, red, green and blue colors to match target face. Just keep the source face next to target face to make color adjustment easier.
10. If there are more than one target face then select target face for swap using TARGET FACE] spinner.
11. Save gif by pressing [SAVE] button. There is no need to adjust face position and scale. It will be done automatically.
12. Ready. Target face in created gif will be swapped with source face. You can view created gif using [VIEW] button.
How to use face swap feature in animation
1. Switch to ANIMATION mode using [ANIMATION] radio button on top
2. Prepare frame with face that will be swapped. Load video and scroll to specifix frame or enable image controls and load image.
3. Check face checkbox to enable FACE CONTROLS. FACE CONTROLS become visible.
4. Load face image from device using [LOAD FACE] button or from file using [LOAD FILE] button.
5. If face image has more than one face you can select from [SELECT FACE} spinner which one to use as source face.
6. Extract face using [EXTRACT FACE] button or select blend mode using BLEND radio button and erase the area around face (head). You can work with just face or with the head.
7. Adjust face brightness, contrast, red, green and blue colors to match target face. Select a frame from animation frames set and keep the source face next to target face to make color adjustment easier.
8. If there are more than one target face in selected frame then select target face for swap using TARGET FACE] spinner.
9. Add frame to frames set using [ADD FRAME] button. The target face will be swapped. There is no need to adjust face position and scale. It will be done automatically.
10. Repeat this to add several frames. You can view created gif using [VIEW] button.
11. Save gif by pressing [SAVE] button.
MODIFYING FRAMES IN ANIMATION FRAMES SET
How to modify frames in animation frames set by applying text/image/drawing/face layers to them
1. Add frames to animation frames set by:
– exporting frames from video
– importing image folder
– adding frames using [ADD FRAME] button using pictures in the frame
2. Enable modifying frames by checking MODIFY FRAMES checkbox. Now when you select a frame the selected extra layers will be visible over it.
3. Now let’s add a layer. It can be text, image, drawing or face. Check layer checkbox to enable the specific layer controls. Layer controls become visible.
4. Modify selected extra layers. Add text, load image, draw drawing os load face to be swapped.
5. Apply layers to selected frame using [APPLY TO SELECTED] button or the button above animation frames set next to TEXT checkbox that doubles this applying of layers to selected frame.
6. You can apply layers in all frames using button [APPLY TO ALL FRAMES].
7. Preview gif by pressing [PREVIEW GIF] button.
8. Save gif by pressing [SAVE] button. You can view created gif using [VIEW] button.