A toolkit providing utilities and knowledge for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack.

Slack GIF Creator A toolkit providing utilities and knowledge for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack. Slack Requirements Dimensions: Emoji GIFs: 128x128 (recommended) Message GIFs: 480x480 Parameters: FPS: 10 30 (lower is smaller file size) Colors: 48 128 (fewer = smaller file size) Duration: Keep under 3 seconds for emoji GIFs Core Workflow Drawing Graphics Working with User Uploaded Images If a user uploads an image, consider whether they want to: Use it directly (e.g., "animate this", "split this into frames") Use it as inspiration (e.g., "make something like this") Load and work with images using PIL: Drawing from Scratch When drawing graphics from scratch, use PIL ImageDraw primitives: Don't use: Emoji fonts (unreliable across platforms) or assume pre packaged graphics exist in this skill. Making Graphics Look Good Graphics should look polished and creative, not basic. Here's how: Use thicker lines Always set width=2 or higher for outlines and lines. Thin lines (width=1) look choppy and amateurish. Add visual depth : Use gradients for backgrounds ( create gradient background ) Layer multiple shapes for complexity (e.g., a star with a smaller star inside) Make shapes more interesting : Don't just draw a plain circle add highlights, rings, or patterns Stars can have glows (draw larger, semi transparent versions behind) Combine multiple shapes (stars + sparkles, circles + rings) Pay attention to colors : Use vibrant, complementary colors Add contrast (dark outlines on light shapes, light outlines on dark shapes) Consider the overall composition For complex shapes (hearts, snowflakes, etc.): Use combinations of polygons and ellipses Calculate points carefully for symmetry Add details (a heart can have a highlight curve, snowflakes have intricate branches) Be creative and detailed! A good Slack GIF should look polished, not like placeholder graphics. Available Utilities GIFBuilder ( core.gif builder ) Assembles frames and optimizes for Slack: Validators ( core.validators ) Check if GIF meets Slack requirements: Easing Functions ( core.easing ) Smooth motion instead of linear: Frame Helpers ( core.frame composer ) Convenience functions for common needs: Animation Concepts Shake/Vibrate Offset object position with oscillation: Use math.sin() or math.cos() with frame index Add small random variations for natural feel Apply to x and/or y position Pulse/Heartbeat Scale object size rhythmically: Use math.sin(t frequency 2 math.pi) for smooth pulse For heartbeat: two quick pulses then pause (adjust sine wave) Scale between 0.8 and 1.2 of base size Bounce Object falls and bounces: Use interpolate() with easing='bounce out' for landing Use easing='ease in' for falling (accelerating) Apply gravity by increasing y velocity each frame Spin/Rotate Rotate object around center: PIL: image.rotate(angle, resample=Image.BICUBIC) For wobble: use sine wave for angle instead of linear Fade In/Out Gradually appear or disappear: Create RGBA image, adjust alpha channel Or use Image.blend(image1, image2, alpha) Fade in: alpha from 0 to 1 Fade out: alpha from 1 to 0 Slide Move object from off screen to position: Start position: outside frame bounds End position: target location Use interpolate() with easing='ease out' for smooth stop For overshoot: use easing='back out' Zoom Scale and position for zoom effect: Zoom in: scale from 0.1 to 2.0, crop center Zoom out: scale from 2.0 to 1.0 Can add motion blur for drama (PIL filter) Explode/Particle Burst Create particles radiating outward: Generate particles with random angles and velocities Update each particle: x += vx , y += vy Add gravity: vy += gravity constant Fade out particles over time (reduce alpha) Optimization Strategies Only when asked to make the file size smaller, implement a few of the following methods: 1. Fewer frames Lower FPS (10 instead of 20) or shorter duration 2. Fewer colors num colors=48 instead of 128 3. Smaller dimensions 128x128 instead of 480x480 4. Remove duplicates remove duplicates=True in save() 5. Emoji mode optimize for emoji=True auto optimizes Philosophy This skill provides: Knowledge : Slack's requirements and animation concepts Utilities : GIFBuilder, validators, easing functions Flexibility : Create the animation logic using PIL primitives It does NOT provide: Rigid animation templates or pre made functions Emoji font rendering (unreliable across platforms) A library of pre packaged graphics built into the skill Note on user uploads : This skill doesn't include pre built graphics, but if a user uploads an image, use PIL to load and work with it interpret based on their request whether they want it used directly or just as inspiration. Be creative! Combine concepts (bouncing + rotating, pulsing + sliding, etc.) and use PIL's full capabilities. Dependencies When to Use This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview. Limitations Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above. Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment specific validation, testing, or expert review. Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.

slack-gif-creator