This is a simple tutorial showing you all how to create simple animations with Photoshop CS5. While the program is expensive, there is an efficient and harmless method to getting it free. However, AAO doesn't support piracy, so if you wish to know how, please give me a PM. 
Part 1: Preperation
Step 1:Setting up Your Image
In this tutorial, I will be creating a blink animation for one of Pearl's emotes. Now, before we can get started, we have to set up the image. To do this, put your mouse in the top-right corner and select:
- "File"
- "New"
Or simply press "Ctrl" and "N" (at the same time). Now, make sure that the image has the following settings:
Once you click OK, we are now ready to move onto our next step.
Step 2:Aligning Your Layers
The next thing we have to do is to align all the images of the blink (eyes open, eyes half open, eyes closed, eyes half open, eyes open) into their own layer. Once you have the sprite you want to animate, paste the first part of the animation onto your canvas.
Unfortunately, there is a teal background. However this is easy to remove. Select your magic wand tool (found on the left of the screen), and make sure you have these settings:
(Note: I have Contiguous checked off. However, if your background colour also appears in your sprite, put a check in the little box beside it.)
Now simply click on the backgrounds, press "delete" (on your keyboard) and the background should turn transparent. However, know we have to align our image in the center. To do this:
- Click "Ctrl" and "A" (at the same time) to select the entire image
- Go to "Layers" found at the top
- Go to "Align Layers to Selection"
- Select "Bottom Edges"
- Go to "Layers"
- Go to "Align Layers to Selection"
- Go to "Horizontal Centers"
Now that the tedious part is over with, we can continue. We will place the layers. Once you have copy+pasted all the other parts of the animation (all into their separate layers), you will have to remove the backgrounds (make sure it they are trasnsparent) and then align them with the bottom layer. Doing this is easy - simply click and drag the new layers until they automatically align with the original. When you're done, it should look like this:
Congratulations! You're now ready to start animating!
Part 2: Animation
Step 1:Animating
- Go to "Window" found at the top
- Click "Animation"
You should see this pop up:
However, there is a chance you may see something resembling a time line. If that is the case, click the button in the bottom right corner of the animation window to get it to this screen.
Now, first off, we need to set a time for each animation. To do this, click the small arrow beside the "10 seconds" or whatever you have it set to. Time that you set is based off of preference, but I find that 0.15 works well. To do this:
- Click "Other"
- Type in "0.15"
Now we can start inputting the different frames. First off, click the little eye symbol beside each of the layers to turn them off, leaving only the bottom layer visible. Once that is done, click the small square button left of the garbage can symbol (in your animation window). This will create a new frame. Once you have created a new frame, you must turn on the layer that you want to be displayed by clicking the small eye. Rinse and repeat until your animation is complete! You can view your animation at any time by clicking the play button on your animation window.
Step 2:Saving Your Image
Now that you've created your animation, you want to make sure that you save it. Doing this is simple. Simply:
- Click "File"
- Click "Save for Web and Devices"
Now click "OK" and you're finished!
~~~~
Hope you all can use this tutorial to create something great!
