Is making "animated avatars" a giant pain-in-the-arse?

[geedis]

Anybody have any advice on making animated avatars (GIFs) for beginners?

Is this something that it is better to pay for?

What software would you recommend?

Is there "a lot" to it?

(I've looked all over the web. I would just like some opinions from the distinguished members of this community.)

8)

 

[Kyehlar]

It depends on the type of animated avatars you're looking to make. If you're just looking for frame by frame picture sort of thing, then it's relatively easy. But if you're looking for a motion like some of the pics that Menty has posted, then it's much more intricate and even I can't do something like that.

If you've not done anything of that nature before, it may take you a while. I put a lot of time into the things that I make.

 

[Mentalist]

Learn Adobe Imageready. Obviously get a bit proficient with Photoshop first at least.

 

[Kyehlar]

That's my problem. I can barely use photoshop. I can use other image editors okay, but Photoshop just confuses me.

 

[Mentalist]

Thats how I feel everytime I approach a new piece of software. Overwhelmed. Dumb and occasionally slow. I just push through and eventually it clicks. I am proficient in everything from Photoshop through Quark Express, Dreamweaver, Sony Video Vegas.. ad infinitum. All confused me at first.


Do step by step tutorials. It's the best way. Let a tutorial lead you by the hand completley. I'm talking about those nifty tutorials that teach you how to do a cool graphic or something. It may be annoying at first but you will pick things up and it will stick with you and eventually you will be breezing through it on your own.

It's all about getting to grips with the layout and logic behind whatever program you are learning.

 

[DarthSikle]

Menty:

Can you make me a TK avatar??

I'd like Darth Vader, Jack Bauer and Elijah Snow

Please please please??