slack-gif-creator

name slack-gif-creator description Knowledge and utilities for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack. Provides constraints, validation tools, and animation concepts. Use when users request animated GIFs for Slack like "make me a GIF of X doing Y for Slack." license Complete terms in LICENSE.txt Slack GIF Creator A toolkit providing utilities and knowledge for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack. Slack Requirements Dimensions: Emoji GIFs: 128x128 (recommended) Message GIFs: 480x480 Parameters: FPS: 10-30 (lower is smaller file size) Colors: 48-128 (fewer = smaller file size) Duration: Keep under 3 seconds for emoji GIFs Core Workflow from core.gif_builder import GIFBuilder from PIL import Image, ImageDraw # 1. Create builder builder = GIFBuilder(width= 128 , height= 128 , fps= 10 ) # 2. Generate frames for i in range ( 12 ): frame = Image.new( 'RGB' , ( 128 , 128 ), ( 240 , 248 , 255 )) draw = ImageDraw.Draw(frame) # Draw your animation using PIL primitives # (circles, polygons, lines, etc.) builder.add_frame(frame) # 3. Save with optimization builder.save( 'output.gif' , num_colors= 48 , optimize_for_emoji= True ) Drawing Graphics Working with User-Uploaded Images If a user uploads an image, consider whether they want to: Use it directly (e.g., "animate this", "split this into frames") Use it as inspiration (e.g., "make something like this") Load and work with images using PIL: from PIL import Image uploaded = Image. open ( 'file.png' ) # Use directly, or just as reference for colors/style Drawing from Scratch When drawing graphics from scratch, use PIL ImageDraw primitives: from PIL import ImageDraw draw = ImageDraw.Draw(frame) # Circles/ovals draw.ellipse([x1, y1, x2, y2], fill=(r, g, b), outline=(r, g, b), width= 3 ) # Stars, triangles, any polygon points = [(x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3), ...] draw.polygon(points, fill=(r, g, b), outline=(r, g, b), width= 3 ) # Lines draw.line([(x1, y1), (x2, y2)], fill=(r, g, b), width= 5 ) # Rectangles draw.rectangle([x1, y1, x2, y2], fill=(r, g, b), outline=(r, g, b), width= 3 ) Don't use: Emoji fonts (unreliable across platforms) or assume pre-packaged graphics exist in this skill. Making Graphics Look Good Graphics should look polished and creative, not basic. Here's how: Use thicker lines - Always set width=2 or higher for outlines and lines. Thin lines (width=1) look choppy and amateurish. Add visual depth : Use gradients for backgrounds ( create_gradient_background ) Layer multiple shapes for complexity (e.g., a star with a smaller star inside) Make shapes more interesting : Don't just draw a plain circle - add highlights, rings, or patterns Stars can have glows (draw larger, semi-transparent versions behind) Combine multiple shapes (stars + sparkles, circles + rings) Pay attention to colors : Use vibrant, complementary colors Add contrast (dark outlines on light shapes, light outlines on dark shapes) Consider the overall composition For complex shapes (hearts, snowflakes, etc.): Use combinations of polygons and ellipses Calculate points carefully for symmetry Add details (a heart can have a highlight curve, snowflakes have intricate branches) Be creative and detailed! A good Slack GIF should look polished, not like placeholder graphics. Available Utilities GIFBuilder ( core.gif_builder ) Assembles frames and optimizes for Slack: builder = GIFBuilder(width= 128 , height= 128 , fps= 10 ) builder.add_frame(frame) # Add PIL Image builder.add_frames(frames) # Add list of frames builder.save( 'out.gif' , num_colors= 48 , optimize_for_emoji= True , remove_duplicates= True ) Validators ( core.validators ) Check if GIF meets Slack requirements: from core.validators import validate_gif, is_slack_ready # Detailed validation passes, info = validate_gif( 'my.gif' , is_emoji= True , verbose= True ) # Quick check if is_slack_ready( 'my.gif' ): print ( "Ready!" ) Easing Functions ( core.easing ) Smooth motion instead of linear: from core.easing import interpolate # Progress from 0.0 to 1.0 t = i / (num_frames - 1 ) # Apply easing y = interpolate(start= 0 , end= 400 , t=t, easing= 'ease_out' ) # Available: linear, ease_in, ease_out, ease_in_out, # bounce_out, elastic_out, back_out Frame Helpers ( core.frame_composer ) Convenience functions for common needs: from core.frame_composer import ( create_blank_frame, # Solid color background create_gradient_background, # Vertical gradient draw_circle, # Helper for circles draw_text, # Simple text rendering draw_star # 5-pointed star ) Animation Concepts Shake/Vibrate Offset object position with oscillation: Use math.sin() or math.cos() with frame index Add small random variations for natural feel Apply to x and/or y position Pulse/Heartbeat Scale object size rhythmically: Use math.sin(t * frequency * 2 * math.pi) for smooth pulse For heartbeat: two quick pulses then pause (adjust sine wave) Scale between 0.8 and 1.2 of base size Bounce Object falls and bounces: Use interpolate() with easing='bounce_out' for landing Use easing='ease_in' for falling (accelerating) Apply gravity by increasing y velocity each frame Spin/Rotate Rotate object around center: PIL: image.rotate(angle, resample=Image.BICUBIC) For wobble: use sine wave for angle instead of linear Fade In/Out Gradually appear or disappear: Create RGBA image, adjust alpha channel Or use Image.blend(image1, image2, alpha) Fade in: alpha from 0 to 1 Fade out: alpha from 1 to 0 Slide Move object from off-screen to position: Start position: outside frame bounds End position: target location Use interpolate() with easing='ease_out' for smooth stop For overshoot: use easing='back_out' Zoom Scale and position for zoom effect: Zoom in: scale from 0.1 to 2.0, crop center Zoom out: scale from 2.0 to 1.0 Can add motion blur for drama (PIL filter) Explode/Particle Burst Create particles radiating outward: Generate particles with random angles and velocities Update each particle: x += vx , y += vy Add gravity: vy += gravity_constant Fade out particles over time (reduce alpha) Optimization Strategies Only when asked to make the file size smaller, implement a few of the following methods: Fewer frames - Lower FPS (10 instead of 20) or shorter duration Fewer colors - num_colors=48 instead of 128 Smaller dimensions - 128x128 instead of 480x480 Remove duplicates - remove_duplicates=True in save() Emoji mode - optimize_for_emoji=True auto-optimizes # Maximum optimization for emoji builder.save( 'emoji.gif' , num_colors= 48 , optimize_for_emoji= True , remove_duplicates= True ) Philosophy This skill provides: Knowledge : Slack's requirements and animation concepts Utilities : GIFBuilder, validators, easing functions Flexibility : Create the animation logic using PIL primitives It does NOT provide: Rigid animation templates or pre-made functions Emoji font rendering (unreliable across platforms) A library of pre-packaged graphics built into the skill Note on user uploads : This skill doesn't include pre-built graphics, but if a user uploads an image, use PIL to load and work with it - interpret based on their request whether they want it used directly or just as inspiration. Be creative! Combine concepts (bouncing + rotating, pulsing + sliding, etc.) and use PIL's full capabilities. Dependencies pip install pillow imageio numpy