I am trying to insert a GIF into SL, which works fine unless I set a transparent color for it, in which case attempting to preview the project freezes SL entirely, to the point where I can't even end SL from Task Manager (!!) - I have to completely restart the computer. Can anyone help me with this?
That sounds really weird... Running the latest version of Storyline? If it isn't an animated GIF you can try changing it to a PNG and see if the problem persists...
I tried to replicate the behavior using a GIF that I had on hand, but I wasn't able to make my Storyline 360 installation freeze after doing the following:
Added the GIF as an image to the slide
Added a fill and set transparency to a certain value
Previewed the slide
Would you mind reviewing the troubleshooting steps that I did to see if I need to change anything in order to be able to properly observe the behavior? I've attached the sample GIF that I used for testing so we can use the same GIF files.
If you feel like the behavior is specific to your Storyline 360 installation, try doing a repair to see if this helps!
It does not matter if it is a new file, and yes, it is the latest version of SL.
Joe, when I use the gif you supplied everything works as expected. When I use my gif, I can reproduce the issue. I noticed that the GIF was 1280 x 720 and 30 fps, so I re-rendered it from Cantasia at 15 fps and 640 x 360, while made for a file similar in size the the gif you supplied. In that instance I was able to preview the project, but the gif file had many video glitches, popping in and out randomly. Here is that file.
Would you mind sharing the unedited version of your test GIF so we can take a closer look at what's happening? The issue might be isolated to GIFs that have a specific resolution, so I'd like to do a test using your image file specifically. You can share it here, or in private by opening a support case with our team here.
I think I have figured it out. The apngs I want to use are animated chevrons (I have created thousands of apngs over the years for 360 tour hotspots and buttons etc and never had an issue).
The chevrons start transparent and fade in as they animate so the first frame is actually empty. I tried other apngs such as revolving animated drones and they work fine when exported for the web, but the chevrons would not work. I rebuilt a chevron where I put the last frame first....and it works. So the first frame of an apng cannot be transparent to begin with it seems, or it wont work for a Storyline project
12 Replies
That sounds really weird... Running the latest version of Storyline? If it isn't an animated GIF you can try changing it to a PNG and see if the problem persists...
Hi Jim,
Sorry to hear that you ran into this snag!
I tried to replicate the behavior using a GIF that I had on hand, but I wasn't able to make my Storyline 360 installation freeze after doing the following:
Would you mind reviewing the troubleshooting steps that I did to see if I need to change anything in order to be able to properly observe the behavior? I've attached the sample GIF that I used for testing so we can use the same GIF files.
If you feel like the behavior is specific to your Storyline 360 installation, try doing a repair to see if this helps!
import your gif (with transparent color) into a new empty storyline file
what happens?
It does not matter if it is a new file, and yes, it is the latest version of SL.
Joe, when I use the gif you supplied everything works as expected. When I use my gif, I can reproduce the issue. I noticed that the GIF was 1280 x 720 and 30 fps, so I re-rendered it from Cantasia at 15 fps and 640 x 360, while made for a file similar in size the the gif you supplied. In that instance I was able to preview the project, but the gif file had many video glitches, popping in and out randomly. Here is that file.
you could try your animation with apng format, since April 2022 (?) is working* in storyline 360
example
https://360.articulate.com/review/content/594a6480-d2e5-4293-ae8b-ea8e9395d8d0/review
*do not use the crop function in storyline !!!
Hi Jim,
Would you mind sharing the unedited version of your test GIF so we can take a closer look at what's happening? The issue might be isolated to GIFs that have a specific resolution, so I'd like to do a test using your image file specifically. You can share it here, or in private by opening a support case with our team here.
This looks nice—what did you use to create it?
i have "found" it on google, probably the graphic designer used Adobe Animate
how it could be done
=> for every frame one png is exported
now use APNG Assembler to combine the files
important: use Compression Method "Zopfli" -> very slow, but the only compression, which seems to work with storyline
here are more infos to the frame rate settings (-> Delay, sec)
Thanks, this is really helpfull.
Tried that compression setting and still does not show when published as a webpage
upload a .story file with the apng
I think I have figured it out. The apngs I want to use are animated chevrons (I have created thousands of apngs over the years for 360 tour hotspots and buttons etc and never had an issue).
The chevrons start transparent and fade in as they animate so the first frame is actually empty. I tried other apngs such as revolving animated drones and they work fine when exported for the web, but the chevrons would not work. I rebuilt a chevron where I put the last frame first....and it works. So the first frame of an apng cannot be transparent to begin with it seems, or it wont work for a Storyline project