After we had created a puzzle in a previous post using Adobe Photoshop official free addon for puzzle making actions, (You can find this guide here). Now, we shall create a GIF from within Photoshop to see the Photoshop Puzzle effects we can use as Recording the puzzle building as GIF.
Record Puzzle Building as GIF from within Photoshop using Opacity trick
Record Puzzle Building as GIF from within Photoshop using Opacity trick
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First, we convert our image into a puzzle using the steps here
- We shall convert the image into a puzzle of 4 pieces by selection menu Windows>Actions>Puzzle>12pcs
- The Photoshop Actions will generate this 4 pcs puzzle in a new file in the form of 4 new layers and add a grey background
- It also includes the original image as a locked background but invisible
- The last part of the actions running to create the puzzle pieces will ask you to adjust Bevel and Drop Shadow which adjusts the contour line of each puzzle piece


Second, Activate the timeline panel
- Select From menu>WIndows>Timeline
- It will open a panel under your work area with 2 options. Today we shall select: Create Video Timeline

- The Timeline panel shows the 5 layers and the background. with a 5sec timeline of 30 frames/sec
- From Settings, we shall deselect "Loop back" for the time being to tune our animation

Third, Add animation to your Puzzle pieces
We shall demonstrate the steps below for 1 piece and it is the same for all the 4pcs
- Start at the point 00 of the video timeline
- Select the layer from the side layers panel
- Convert the layer to Smart object menu>Layer>Smart Objects>Convert to smart object
- Select the same layer from the video timeline, expand the selection
- Change the opacity to zero from the Layers side panel (point 2 )
- Click on Opacity selection (point 1 )
- Now you have recorded the first point on the video timeline of this layer
- Then go to another further point on the timeline where you want this piece of the puzzle to appear (point 4 )
- And change opacity to 100% (point 2 ), it will be recorded automatically on the opacity timeline (point 4 )
- This will make the piece of puzzle fade in gradually.
- If you want it to pop up, go 15f before the point where its opacity goes to 100% and record a new point with 0% opacity (point 5 )

Fourth, from Photoshop Record Puzzle Building as GIF using the following steps
- From menu File>Export> Save For Web
- Or From menu File>Export> Export AS & Select GIF (This option doesn't work for me 🙁 )
- You can select Percent to 50% if you want to decrease the output file size
Add Motion Animation
The video below shows these steps that we are going to detail below
First, we divide the image into puzzle pieces as in the First step of the Opacity TrickThe number of pieces of the puzzle is based on your preference we can go for 12 pcs for now
Second, We shall skew the whole new layers
- Select all the layers of the puzzle pieces by clicking on the first one in the side layers panel. Then hold Shift+click on the last layer
- Now they act as one image.
- Then rotate the whole thing
- Apply Skew transformation Using menu Edit>Transform>Skew
- Don't worry about the image going outside the working frame, go to menu Images>Canvas Size. And, extend it generously. you can trim it after that

Third, Select and Move Some pieces outside of the image
Fourth, Activate the vide timeline as in opacity Trick second step, click here to return to it
Fifth, add transformation positions
- Select the piece that we had moved out of its position
- Convert it to Smart object from menu Layer>Smart Objects>Convert to Smart Object
- In the side panel of layers, drag this piece to the top of the kist so it moves above the other pieces
- It will automatically be placed first in the timeline panel
- While at frame 00 (point 1), Click on Transform to record the initial position (point 2)
- Move it to the desired position in the image (point 6)
- Move the timeframe to the instant you want it to be there (point 7)
- click on Transform again to record the new instance position (point 8)
- The piece will move in a straight line between the 2 positions
- If you want a special path, Move the piece along it in steps and record an instance of transformation for it as steps 6-8 (points 3-4-5)


