To create a GIF in Canva, you need to use animation or video in your design. You can choose it from the Canva library or download your own. Once your animation project is completed, save it as a GIF by clicking on the “Share” button in the top right corner in editor mode and selecting the file type as PNG.
Hi there! My name is Yana, and I have been actively using Canva to create graphics for the past several years. After Canva launched the GIF feature, I started applying animation to my designs. I noticed that animated content is reaching more people, so now I use it more frequently. Therefore, I know how to make GIF files on Canva quickly and easily.
In this post, I will lead you through the process of making GIFs on Canva. We will discover how to do it using content from the Canva library or uploading your own. I also will answer some of the most common questions about this process.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Canva allows making GIFs using animated elements, pre-saved templates, and even converting a video into a GIF format file.
- This feature is free and can be used on both, Canva web and mobile versions.
- Some social media, such as Instagram, do not support GIF files. If you want to upload your design to this social platform, make sure you save your GIF in MP4 video format.
How to Make a GIF on Canva Using Animation
One of the easiest ways to create a GIF in Canva is to find some animated design templates and start from there. Follow the guide below.
Step 1. Create a Design File
So start by choosing the ratio of the future GIF file. Will you share it with your family and friends or do you need to publish it on your blog? From this point, you can understand which project should it be.
Find a Create a design button in the top right corner of the Canva home page and select one of the design frames it offers.
Step 2. Add an Animation
Let’s choose the animation for your GIF. Click on the Design button in the top left corner when in editor mode and type “animation” in the search field. Now you will be able to see the animation templates available, scroll down to check all of them.
Another way is to create an animation by yourself and add animation to your graphic elements. You can animate text, and illustrations or add some animated stickers. To do it, select the element you want to animate, click on the animation button on the top menu toolbar and choose the animation style.
Step 3. Edit Your Future GIF
After you have added the animation to your design project, you can edit it by selecting the timing, cropping, flipping, adding more pages if needed, or some additional animation to the existing file.
You also can preview the results, by clicking on the Play button in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Save Your GIF
After you check your project and are ready to share your GIF with the world, hit on the Share button in the top right corner, then Download and in the next window choose the GIF file format and the pages that need to be in the project. After downloading the file you can find it on your computer.
Keep in mind that social media, such as Instagram, doesn’t support GIF format, so if you want to post on Instagram, make sure you choose an MP4 file format instead of a GIF.
How to Make a GIF on Canva from a Video
You also can create a GIF from a video clip. Just follow these steps below.
Step 1. Select a Video from Canva Library or Upload Your Own
After you have your design file opened, select and place the video from the Canva library. For that, click the Elements button on the left side of your screen and type “video” into the search input. Select one that works for you.
You also can upload and use your video. Go to the Uploads and select a clip from your computer by clicking on the Upload button. Add it to your design frame after uploading.
Step 2. Edit Your Video
Now you can jump to editing your video. You can change its ratio, crop it, flip it, change the video speed, and even add some filters. All these features can be found in the menu at the top of your screen. You can also customize your GIF with some animated text or graphics.
Don’t forget to preview your project before downloading.
Step 3. Save the GIF
Same as we discussed before, you can save your project by clicking the Share button in the top right corner and choosing the GIF file format and the pages that need to be in the project.
Once you saved the GIF file to your computer is ready to be shared. Just remember that if you want to upload your project to Instagram it should be downloaded as an MP4 video file.
How to Make a GIF on Canva Mobile
Creating a GIF on the Canva mobile app is also fast and easy. First, decide whether you will create a GIF from scratch, using Canva animation templates or you want to make a GIF using your video. Let’s take a look at the process.
Step 1. Create a New File
Start by choosing a ratio for your future GIF. To create a new design file, tap the round purple button in the down-right corner of the screen and then choose the format.
Step 2. Add Animation, Choose a template, or Upload Your Video
At this step, you need to decide, what you want your GIF to include. You can search through Canvas animated templates or create your GIF from the scratch. Let’s take a look at each method below.
Using animated templates. In the new design file, tap on the purple button in the left bottom corner to call out a bottom menu and select the Design tab. Search for “animation” to find some pre-saved designs you can use in your project.
Creating animation. If you want to make some custom GIFs, you can choose from stickers and other animated elements on Canva or add an animation to the objects you want to move. All of that you can find in the bottom menu. Tap on the Elements tab, and search for the animated graphics.
If you want to add animation to some still objects, add an object to your design and select it. Now hit the Animate button in the bottom toolbar and choose the animation you would like to use.
Making a GIF from a video. For this method, you will need a video clip. Again, you can choose one from the Canva library or upload your own video. You also can record a video right to the Canva app. But let’s go step by step.
When you want to add a stock video, go to the Elements tab and search for the video. You can also add some specific keywords to find better results.
If you want to upload a video from your device, press the Uploads button in the bottom menu and then tap the Upload files button to select a file from your smartphone or tablet. To record a video in Canva, select the Camera Roll button and tap on the Camera icon to start recording.
After adding a video to your design project, you can crop it, adjust it or add some extra elements on top of it. For that, tap on the video and check all the settings available in the bottom menu.
Step 3. Edit Your Design
Now you can change the play time of the GIF, add more effects, and have fun with it. You can preview all the changes by tapping the Play button in the top right corner.
Step 4. Save the GIF to Your Device
When you finished your design, it is time to download it to a mobile device. Tap the Share button on the top right corner and then select Download and choose the GIF format. Hit the Download button at the end, to start downloading the file.
FAQs
Here are short answers to some of the frequently asked questions about making GIFs in Canva.
Can I Turn a Video Into a GIF on Canva?
Yes, you can! Canva allows you to upload a video and save it as a GIF. You can edit the length of the GIF, add some text, and use filters to create a one-of-a-kind design.
How Do You Make a GIF Loop on Canva?
When you are using graphic elements to create a GIF on Canva, they will automatically be looping. But if you want to make a GIF from a video, select your video, find a Playback button in the toolbar on the top of the screen, and turn on Loop forever in the presentation.
How Do I Download a GIF from Canva?
To download a GIF to your computer or mobile device, you need to press the Share button in the top right corner of the screen, then select the Download tab and choose file type as GIF and save it to your device.
Final Thoughts
You can see that creating GIFs in Canva is simple; all you have to do is add some animation, edit it, view the file, and download it in GIF format. With this Canva feature, you can create a fun design to share with your audience.
Have you ever made GIF on Canva? Did you use animated templates or create a file from scratch? Share your thoughts about this Canva feature in the comments section below.
