PSD Animation Maker
How to Adjust Frame Delay in PSD Animation Using Aspose.PSD for .NET

How to Adjust Frame Delay in PSD Animation Using Aspose.PSD for .NET

Precise frame delay control is essential for smooth animations and creative timing. Aspose.PSD for .NET allows you to batch-edit delays on all or selected frames for animated PSDs.

Real-World Problem

The default timing of PSD animation frames may not match your creative intent, or you may need to slow down, speed up, or create custom timing effects across a banner or presentation.

Solution Overview

Set the Delay property for each frame within the PSD’s Timeline, using scriptable C# code for reliable, repeatable animation timing.

Prerequisites

  1. Visual Studio 2019 or later
  2. .NET 6.0 or later (or .NET Framework 4.6.2+)
  3. Aspose.PSD for .NET from NuGet
  4. Animated PSD/PSB file
PM> Install-Package Aspose.PSD

Step-by-Step Implementation

Step 1: Load the Animated PSD File 

using Aspose.PSD;
using Aspose.PSD.FileFormats.Psd;
using Aspose.PSD.ImageOptions;

string inputFile = "./input/banner.psd";
string outputFile = "./output/banner_custom_delay.psd";

var loadOptions = new PsdLoadOptions() { LoadEffectsResource = true };
PsdImage psdImage = (PsdImage)Image.Load(inputFile, loadOptions);

Step 2: Access the Animation Timeline 

var timeline = psdImage.Timeline;

Step 3: Set Frame Delays

To set every frame to 20 (1/100ths sec) delay:

foreach (var frame in timeline.Frames)
{
    frame.Delay = 20;
}

Or, to set custom delays per frame:

for (int i = 0; i < timeline.Frames.Length; i++)
{
    timeline.Frames[i].Delay = (i + 1) * 10; // Increasing delay for demonstration
}

Step 4: Save the Updated Animation 

psdImage.Save(outputFile);
psdImage.Dispose();

Use Cases and Applications

  • Fine-tuning animation pacing for ads and banners
  • Creating “pause” or “highlight” effects at key moments
  • Building smooth fade-ins/outs by adjusting delays between frames

Common Challenges and Solutions

Delays too fast or too slow: Test values; most viewers use 1/100ths of a second as the delay unit.

Need for different delays in different segments: Use conditional logic in your delay-setting loop.

Best Practices

  • Always preview animation to confirm timing
  • Document delay logic for maintainability
  • Use variables for easy adjustment of timing across many files

FAQ

Q: What does a Delay of 0 mean? A: Most browsers/applications treat it as the minimal possible delay (not “instant”).

Q: Can I set delay for only some frames? A: Yes—just set for those you want to change, skip others in your loop.

Conclusion

With Aspose.PSD for .NET, creative and technical users can fine-tune animation pacing for any scenario. For advanced use, see the Aspose.PSD for .NET API Reference .

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