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Editing Objects in Other Image Editing Programs

GIF Animator provides a set of editing tools in the Tool Panel which allows you to manipulate objects (for instance, change or remove color, resize and rotate objects, add text, and more). If you want to apply more advanced effects, you may choose the image editor that you want to use (such as PhotoImpact Pro) and invoke the application from within GIF Animator. After you've finished enhancing your objects, simply save them in the image editor then bring them back to GIF Animator so you can continue working on your animation project.

Now let's see how it is done:

1. If you have PhotoImpact already installed on your computer, GIF Animator automatically adds it to the Favorite Image Editor list. Hence, by default, the Favorite Image Editor button on the Standard Toolbar shows the program icon of PhotoImpact.

If you want to use PhotoImpact solely to enhance your objects, proceed to Step 4.

2. If you want to use another image editor, such as Adobe Photoshop, you need to add it to GIF Animator's image editor list. To do this, click the drop-down arrow beside the Favorite Image Editor button and select Organize Favorite Image Editor. Then click Add.

3. In the Program name, type a name for your image editor. Click Browse to find the application in your program files. Then click OK. The new image editor you specified is now added to the list of your favorite image editors.

4. The next time you want to switch to the desired image editor, select a frame in your project which contains the objects you want to edit then click the Favorite Image Editor button on the Standard Toolbar. Or, if you want another image editor that's also on your list but isn't the one that is displayed on the button, first click the drop-down arrow next to the Favorite Image Editor button and select the application of your choice.

NOTE: The Favorite Image Editor button displays the icon of the last image editing application that you added.

5. When the image editor opens, it automatically opens a temporary file for your objects. You can now apply the application's various editing tools and special effects to enhance your objects.

6. When you've finished editing your objects, select File: Save in the image editor.

7. As soon as you save the temp file, GIF Animator prompts you to "update your temp file from the image-editor." Click Yes. The changes will be applied to the corresponding objects in GIF Animator.

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