How to Convert a Video to GIF fore free on macOS Using Gifski

If you're looking for a fast and efficient way to convert videos to GIFs on macOS, Gifski is an excellent choice. It's a powerful open-source tool that converts videos to high-quality GIFs using the latest compression techniques. In this post, we'll guide you through step-by-step instructions on how to convert a video to a GIF using Gifski.

What is Gifski?

Gifski is an open-source GIF converter for macOS that uses the rust programming language. It converts videos to GIFs using the "perceptual dithering" technique, which gives you high-quality GIFs with smoother gradients and less banding.

Converting a Video to GIF Using Gifski CLI

brew install gifski

Converting a Video to GIF Using Gifski App

Download the Gifski app from the Mac App Store.

Let's walk through the steps to convert a video to a GIF using the Gifski App.

Steps:

1. Open Gifski:

   • Launch the Gifski app from your Applications folder.

2. Select a Video:

   • Click on the Browse button or drag and drop your video file into the Gifski window.

3. Trim the Video:

   • Use the sliders to select the start and end points of the video you want to convert to GIF.
   • Click Done to confirm your selection.

4. Customize GIF Settings:

   • Set the desired frame rate (FPS) and maximum size for your GIF.
   • Adjust the Quality slider to control the GIF quality.

5. Convert to GIF:

   • Click Convert to start the GIF conversion.
   • Gifski will process your file and provide a preview of the final GIF.

6. Save the GIF:

   • Click Save to download the GIF to your Mac.

Tips for Better GIFs with Gifski

• Shorter Clips: GIFs are more effective when they’re short and focused. Trim the video to only the essential part.
• Reduce Frame Rate: Lowering the frame rate can help reduce file size without losing too much quality.
• Optimize Quality: Experiment with the Quality slider for the optimal balance between quality and file size.

Use Gifski with QuickDrop

• Install gifski from brew

brew install gifski

• Add a new script for the quick action panel using the following script:

gifski -o "{{inputFolderPath}}/{{inputFileNameWithoutExtension}}.gif" {{inputFilePath}}

• Drop any video file into the action panel to start the conversion