Thursday, March 30, 2017

Gifzign Review - Animated GIFs & Cinemagraphs

Gifzign is a collection of apps with which you can create Animated GIFs, Cinemagraphs, and Animated Mockups. Many of us who use various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and others, have seen the rise and popularity of animated GIFs.

They are a great tool for entertainment and social sharing. Most social media platforms allow uploading of animated GIFs. This has made them popular because they help express ourselves with animations.

Animated GIFs are also used in advertising today by many top companies. I'm sure you've seen these ads on websites, blogs and social media platforms.

Off late, cinemagraphs are becoming more mainstream. If you've not seen or don't know what cinemagraphs are, they are moving or living photographs. Used effectively, they provide stunning visuals that grab the viewers' attention. Further down this article, you will see an example of a cinemagraph I created.

There are many online and offline resources for creating animated GIFs. I've personally used several of these apps over the past couple of years. However, creating cinemagraphs is not very easy, especially if you don't have the right tools and know-how.

This is where Gifzign comes into the picture. As I mentioned at the start of this article, Gifzign is a desktop application that has several apps into one. Down below I will highlight some of the main features and functionality of this versatile app.

GIFZIGN FEATURES


The Gifzign app is packed with several animation features as listed below:

  1. GIF Creator: convert videos to animated GIFs;
  2. GIF Editor: add text, images and effects to GIFs;
  3. Cinemagraphs: create moving photos using videos;
  4. Mockups: add a variety device mockups to your GIFs;
  5. GIF Player: embed your animated GIFs in beautiful players;
  6. Screen Recorder: record your screen and convert them into GIFs.

GIFZIGN VIDEO REVIEW


I've been using Gifzign since it launched in March 2017. I've had a chance to test out most of its features and functionality. I've created a variety of animated GIFs, cinemagraphs, and animated device mockups. I've created a Gifzign video review and several tutorials on my YouTube channel. You can check my brief Gifzign Video Review below:



Based on my experience using Gifzign so far, I find it very easy to use and I like the simplistic user-interface. Converting videos to animated GIFs takes literally a few minutes and the file size is relatively small. Creating cinemagraphs takes a little longer compared to creating animated GIFs, but the process is still quite simple. I cover this in more detail in the sections below.

You can even overlay text and images over animated GIFs and cinemagraphs to create funny animated memes to share on social media. An additional feature is the ability to add a variety of filters to GIFs and cinemagraphs. There are a few things that I would like to see improved in the app which I've listed further down in this article.

WHAT ARE ANIMATED GIFS?


GIF or Graphics Interchange Format is a lossless image file format which supports both, animated and static images. Animated GIFs have become popular and you see them all over social media.

Here is an example of an animated GIF image which was created using the Gifzign app.

Animated GIF Created in Gifzign

Creating animated GIFs in Gifzign is easy: (1) you upload you video; (2) choose the GIF quality; (3) control the start and end time, including the duration, using the timeline; (4) preview the animated GIF; (5) and save the GIF.

Once saved, your GIF is available in your dashboard, where you can download it and create a mockup as well. You can learn more about animated device mockups in the section below.

WHAT ARE CINEMAGRAPHS?


Cinemagraphs are essentially still photos that have an element of constant movement in them. They are created from video clips by overlaying a still image over a video clip and then masking certain parts of the image to reveal the video underneath.

Cinemagraphs are published as animated GIFs, thereby giving an illusion of an animation. As you can see from the cinemagraph below, part of the waterfalls is frozen, and part of the waterfalls is flowing. This is a basic example of a cinemagraph, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the possibilities.

Cinemagraph Created in Gifzign

Creating cinemagraphs in Gifzign is fairly simple: (1) you upload a video; (2) choose a frame and take a still image; (3) use the masking and brush tools to mask portions of the still image; (4) preview your cinemagraph; (5) and convert it into an animated GIF.

You can then download the cinemagraph and post it on your blog or website, and share it on social media. You can even use cinemagraphs to create professional-looking animated ad banners.

For step-by-step instructions, you can check my video tutorial on How To Create Stunning Cinemagraphs.

WHAT ARE ANIMATED MOCKUPS?


Once you create animated GIFs and cinemagraphs in Gifzign, you can embed them in device mockups. When you buy the Gifzign app, it comes with a bunch of device mockup templates. You can use these templates to showcase your animated GIFs.

Creating Mockups is simple. Once you've created your animated GIF, you go to your dashboard and click on the Mockups button, choose a mockup template and download it as an animated GIF. Below you will find examples of animated mockups I created in Gifzign:

Animated GIF Mockups Created in Gifzign

GIFZIGN IMPROVEMENTS


Having highlighted many of the key features and functionality of Gifzign, you can see that this is a very useful app, especially if you are an internet marketer, graphic designer, or even a small business owner.

Having said so, I would like to see a few improvements and new features added to this useful app: (1) I would prefer to have the default for Quality set to “HD” instead of “Vintage”; (2) an option to be able to move text elements around the canvas and remove/change outline color; (3) labels for icons and buttons displaying their function; (4) ability to edit GIFs that are already created and saved on the dashboard; (5) and finally, the option to change the dimensions for resolution and size of GIFs and cinemagraphs.

I've already made them aware of the above suggestions and feedback, and they've acknowledged saying that they will look at the possibility of implementing the changes in the coming updates.

Having previous experience using another app called Youzign, a graphic design application, I'm positive that the creators of Gifzign will focus on improving and making this app even better.


GIFZIGN PRICING


Recently, I've seen a couple of apps that were launched that specifically focus on cinemagraph creation. They launched at a discounted price of $67 and then increased in price, post launch.

Gifzign launched in March 2017 at a discounted price of $27 and will soon increase to $47 at the end of the launch period. This is a one-time, lifetime price. But post launch, the price will likely increase to a monthly and/or yearly subscription. So if you find this useful, take advantage of the discount.


GIFZIGN VIDEO TUTORIALS


Like I mentioned earlier, I've had a chance to play around and test most of the Gifzign features and functionality. I've created a brief review video as well as several tutorials to help you see Gifzign in action and start using it to create cool animated GIFs and stunning cinemagraphs. These video tutorials are on my YouTube channel and you can access them by clicking the banner below:


Hope you found this Gifzign review useful. Based on my experience using it so far, I would definitely recommend this Animated GIF and Cinemagraph Maker. It can be used in your business or if you have clients, you can offer this as a service and create animated GIFs and cinemagraphs. Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER:
If you use the link(s) above to purchase the product. I may earn a commission as a JVZoo affiliate. This recommendation and review is based on my firsthand experience using this product myself.

CREDITS:
Gifzign logo and screenshots are copyright protected and used with permission | Images, graphics, icons, video footage used with permission or licensed for commercial purposes | Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries | Other company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Fotojet Review 2017

In this Fotojet Review, I will share many of the useful features and functionality available in this free online graphic design platform.

I've been using Fotojet since September 2015 when it was just a Collage Maker. Since then, Fotojet has evolved a lot. Today, Fotojet is a robust and feature-packed graphic design software, collage maker, and photo editor.

I personally use it often for my graphic design needs, for creating social media banners and posts, for editing photos or just creating greeting cards. Fotojet is free to use, but it does have a premium features as part of their Fotojet Plus membership.

I've used both, the free and premium versions. So in this honest review, I will try and cover as much as I can, in terms of my firsthand experience using this online graphic design software. Apart from this written review, I've also created a Fotojet Video Review, which you will find further down below. In the video review, you will be able to see the Fotojet user-interface in action.

Fotojet: Graphic Design


In today's world of social media platforms, it's key to be able to stand out with your unique designs. Fotojet makes it possible to create unique and original social media covers and images for social media posts. If you're creative, you can create your own unique designs, from scratch, by starting on a blank canvas and using the many built-in tools that Fotojet offers.

On the other hand, if you're not too creative, you can use the many professionally-designed pre-made templates. Though these are pre-made templates, they can be fully customized so as to give them your own personal touch. They can be personalized with your own images and text very easily.

You can create Social Media Cover Photos, Headers, and Posts for popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Tumblr as well as Email Headers. See some example below.

You can also create posters, flyers, invitations, greeting cards, banner ads and so much more with Fotojet. You can even create your own custom sized design if you wish.

Fotojet Facebook Covers


Fotojet: Collage Maker


With the Fotojet Collage Maker, you can create cool-looking collages from scratch or use pre-made templates. You can even create collage greeting cards for any occasion like birthdays, anniversaries, and special holidays.

With the collage maker, you can not only make cool-looking 2D collages, but stunning 3D collages. They have several amazing-looking 3D collage templates that will help transform your pictures into a work of art. You can take a look at some of the examples of 3D collages that I made on this web page.

Apart from creating amazing 2D and 3D collages, you can also make Magazine Covers. Using the Fotojet Magazine Cover templates, you can put yourself on popular magazine covers like Time, Bazaar, Newsweek, Bride, Vanity Fair, Elle, Forbes, and many others.

With the Fotojet Collage Maker, you can also have a lot of fun. For example, you can create your own Mona Lisa photo, make yourself Superman, create a Wanted poster, and so much more.

Fotojet Photo 3D Collages

Fotojet: Photo Editor


One of the Fotojet tools that I use often is the Fotojet Photo Editor. Apart from the basic photo editing features like resizing, cropping, rotating and flipping, you can also apply premium effects and filters to enhance your images.

For example, look at this before and after image of the sunset picture that I took. I only applied the Shadow effect (under Selective Filters) to this picture and it made the original picture much more vibrant. You can also use the Auto-Enhance feature which is basically a one-click button that fixes your image.

There are several Advanced photo editing features that are part of the premium Fotojet Plus membership. You can apply sharpen, de-haze apply noise or a vignette effects to your pictures. But my favourite features in the Fotojet Photo Editor are the Focus, Color Splash and Selective Filters.

Fotojet Selective Filters (Before and After)


With the Focus feature, you can apply a radial blur or a tilt-shift to an image so as to to focus on a particular area of the image and blur the rest.

With the Color Splash feature, you can turn a color photo into black and white, and then apply a color splash only to a particular portion of the image giving it a really unique look.

With the Selective Filter feature, you can apply a variety of radial and gradient effects to your images like Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Temperature, Tint, and others.

You can also apply a variety of other effects like Black & White, Sepia, Vintage, Chromatic, and others. Additionally, you can apply overlays to your photos to give it a cool-effect like bokeh, light trails, hearts, light burst, paper, fabric, paint, grunge, and others.

All these photo editing features are easy to use and more importantly can help turn your images into a work of art. I'm still in the process of fully tapping into the features and functionality this graphic design software has to offer.




Fotojet Premium (Fotojet Plus)


Fotojet Magazine Cover
Fotojet is available for free, but they also have a Premium offering that includes access to premium templates, features and additional functionality. Fotojet Plus is their premium service which is available for US$2.91 per month (billed annually) or US$4.99 per month (billed monthly). You can upgrade to Fotojet Plus at anytime or cancel it anytime as well.

In the premium version of Fotojet, you will get access to an ever-growing and over 600 premium templates, over 300 premium clipart images, frames, overlays, photo effects, and so much more. Also, the Fotojet premium is ad-free and you will receive priority customer service.

You can check the Comparison Chart for Fotojet Free vs Fotojet Plus.

Fotojet: The Company


One thing I like about the developers, PearlMountain Limited, is that they are constantly listening to customer feedback and improving their platform. I've personally provided my own feedback and seen it implemented. Having said so, there are still things that can be improved, for example, I would like to have the ability to save my projects in order to edit them later, if and when needed. But I would definitely recommend Fotojet as a regular user myself.

Another good thing about the Fotojet, the company, is their customer servive. I've personally dealt with a few of their staff and have always received timely responses and have had pleasant dealings with them. Hope you found this Fotojet Review useful. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. And if you've used Fotojet, please feel free to share your feedback.



CREDITS: Fotojet logo and screenshots are copyright protected and used with permission. PearlMountain Technology Co. Ltd. | Images used in this article belong to the author or have been used with permission | Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. | Other names and logos used in this video may be trademarks of their respective owners.