Editing a gif file in PhotoShop

FC
Posted By
Frank_Cahill
Jul 21, 2004
Views
421
Replies
3
Status
Closed
I have a text image as a gif file. I need to edit this image (i.e. edit the text using the same font, colour etc) and reload it on the Internet as a gif file. How do I best do this? I tried opening the file as a PSD file. There was only one layer which was locked. I couldn’t duplicate it. I am still exploring ways of doing it but someone might be able to tell me the best way before I discover a solution for myself.
In addition, would this task be best done in Photoshop or Illustrator. Thanks.
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L
LenHewitt
Jul 21, 2004
Open the GIF, Mode change to RGB, do your editing then Save for Web>GIF
AC
Aaron_Cramer
Jul 21, 2004
You say "there was only one layer" which sounds like you are trying to open an animated GIF, but only got one layer (because photoshop can’t open animations) you need to use Adobe ImageReady.
DM
dave_milbut
Jul 21, 2004
note that the gif format doesn’t support text layers. it’s become "rasterized" part of the image. as len says, you’re going to need to edit the image using things like the clone tool and healing brush to "erase" the existing text, before you type in the new text. rememebr that when you resave the (new) file, that new text will also be rasterized. for this reason, i suggest you save the original as psd, add text (as a new text layer) then save the psd. as a final output step, do a "Save as" and save as gif. This’ll give you your working copy and flatten the text layer into the image. But you’ll still have the PSD version to edit if you need to do so again.

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