How to Add a Gif to A Pdf Indesign [Complete Guide]

InDesign is a powerful tool for creating print and digital documents, but it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles found in other graphics applications. You won’t find a built-in feature to import and export animated GIF files, for example.

In this post, you’ll learn how to get around that limitation by using the Export As command to create a static image from any layer or document with an embedded GIF file.

Then you can use a secondary software application like Photoshop or GIMP to convert the static image into an animated GIF file (with its own custom resolution, size, and duration).

How to Add a Gif to A Pdf Indesign

The first step is to select the layer you want to turn into a static image. You can do this in the Layers panel by clicking the eye icon next to the layer you want to export. Next, choose File > Export As > Images. You can also press Control +

E. When the Export Images dialog box appears, you should change the image settings to the following: Width: 100%: This will make sure the exported image is the same width as the original layer(s). Height: 100%:

This will make sure the exported image is the same height as the original layer(s). Resolution: 300 pixels/inch. This is what most online publications will use (we’ll talk more about this later in the post).

We’ll start with how to add your GIF to a PDF document. This is a bit more straightforward and will give you a chance to explore some of the limitations of combining GIFs and PDFs.

First, you’ll want to export your GIF as a static image. Then, open your PDF document and go to the page where you want to add the image. Drag the static image into your document, position it where you’d like it to appear, and then export your PDF again.

The static image will be replaced by the GIF when you re-export.

Use Photoshop to export an animated GIF

If you want to take things a step further and create an actual animated GIF, you’ll need to export your static InDesign image as a TIFF file, then import the TIFF file into Photoshop.

If your image doesn’t have a transparent background, you’ll need to create a new layer that’s transparent and then copy and paste the TIFF file into that layer. You can then use the Move tool to position the TIFF above the original layer.

With everything in place, choose File > Automate > Convert to GIF. In the GIF dialog box, select a frame delay of 1 second, make sure you have the right layer selected, and then click OK. An alternative.

Use GIMP to export an animated GIF

On the other hand, if you want to export a GIF from GIMP, you’ll have to create a new file.

You can do this by choosing File > New or pressing Control + N. In the New Image dialog box, make sure the dimensions are the same as the layer or document you want to turn into a GIF.

In the Layers panel, click the eye icon next to the layer you want to turn into a GIF, and then choose File > Save As. Select GIF as the file type, keep the file name as the same as the layer name, and then click Save.

You can also follow the instructions above to create a static image and then use the GIF animator to turn that static image into an actual GIF.

Conclusion

InDesign is a powerful tool for creating print and digital documents, but it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles found in other graphics applications. You won’t find a built-in feature to import and export animated GIF files.

The first step is to select the layer you want to turn into a static image. You can do this in the Layers panel by clicking the eye icon next to the layer you want to export. Next, choose File > Export As > Images.

You can also press Control + E. When the Export Images dialog box appears, you should change the image settings to the following: Width: 100%: This will make sure the exported image is the same width as the original layer(s). Height: 100%:

This will make sure the exported image is the same height as the original layer(s). Resolution: 300 pixels/inch. This is what most online publications will use. In addition, if you want to create an actual animated GIF, you’ll need to export your static InDesign image as a TIFF file, then import the TIFF file into Photoshop.