Home : Blogs : Karen George : Home Loans & Stuff >> The Arizona Home Loan Lady

A Cool Little Thing to Try-- Animate Your Portrait

karen *** This works best in Internet Explorer. Not so great in Firefox. ***

Good morning! It is a beautiful in Arizona right now-- 67 degrees with a light breeze. I should be outside. But I made something last night and I thought I would share.

My husband and I have a digital camera that also records little movies. We do have a video camera, but we find the camera to be easier.

This is because when you plug the camera (via USB cord) into your computer, the movies are already divided into their own convenient .avi files. This takes away the editing step that one has to do with a video tape.

But by all means, you can do this with a video camera as well.

I'm rambling. Time to write about what I made! You've probably noticed it by now, in the top left corner of the page.

My husband and I were taking pictures and we thought, "why not try to animate our portraits?" (If somebody else is already doing this; we're sorry; we really thought of it on our own!)

This is our first time, and it looks a little rough, but I am hoping to make one that is much better.

So do you want to know how to do it? Unfortunately, you need to buy an inexpensive software program called GIF Construction Kit Professional. The program is only $25 and it actually has a drop down menu in which you can choose "AVI to GIF".

The software is intuitive and easy to use. (And no, I'm not getting paid for this in any way.)

If you don't want to buy the software, but you have a camera that takes short movies, email me your movie and I will convert it to a .gif for a $5 donation to SOMAD.org, a breast cancer charity. Email me for information regarding this. All donations are tax-deductible.

Have fun! And if you try it, please email me a copy so I can see how others do! And just refresh your browser to see the animation again. My next one will be much better!

Posted by Karen George on 05/03/2008 10:35 AM

Comments (79)

real estate marketing techniques 18

Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Technology
Post is included in group: True Mortgage Professionals
Post is included in group: We Are Women!

79 Comments on A Cool Little Thing to Try-- Animate Your Portrait

Karen - It looks cool! Thanks for the tip - you are always full of good information!

05/03/2008 10:38 AM

by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)

Nice blog and thanks for the info . I have checked out the site and I think this will be cool

05/03/2008 10:40 AM

by Charlie Ragonesi Big Canoe Realestate Jasper,Ellijay,Ball Ground,Benttree (All Mountain Realty)

WOW, that's way cool! Thanks!

Yvette Smith

Williamsburg's Preferred Realtor!

05/03/2008 10:50 AM

by YVETTE REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA (LIZ MOORE & ASSOCIATES)

HI- looks great...maybe I will give it a try...thanks

05/03/2008 10:56 AM

by Michael Shankman Selling Las Vegas 702-498-3383 (Liberty Realty )

Karen ~ This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. I like the idea of having animation because it brings the agent "to life".

05/03/2008 11:03 AM

by Darleen McCullen, Broker-Raleigh, NC Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty - www.darleenmc.com)

What a great idea! I thought we weren't allowed to animate here on AR...although I'm seeing it more and more???

05/03/2008 11:05 AM

by Maple Valley WA Broker/Owner Colleen Fischesser 425-432-5400 (RE/MAX Select Real Estate)

Good morning Karen....My windows vista came with a windows movie maker and I have only played with it a tiny bit but I bet I could do this....now I just need to find the time! When I get that tool called a "roundtoit" I'll let you know!

05/03/2008 11:07 AM

by Lori Franks ~ Brookings, Oregon Real Estate (Coldwell Banker~ Oregon Coast Realty)

That is really unique and gives a little life to the public that we are "Real People"

05/03/2008 11:15 AM

by Glenda and Steven McDaniel (Long and Foster Smith Mountain Lake Office)

Very Cool, Karen.
I know you're going thru a rough spot right now, but you look great!

05/03/2008 01:13 PM

by Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent - Nancy Rivera (RE/MAX Leading Edge in Roswell Ga)

You're looking good, Karen!

05/03/2008 01:19 PM

by Guilford Connecticut Real Estate Agent, Sandra Cummings (William Raveis Real Estate)

KAREN!! Ok I won't even lie. I clicked on the post but didn't really look at the subject. I started reading and then that picture moved and it scared me a little bit. LOL Now that I have regained my composure...that is so cool!! Thank you for sharing. I agree you are looking great and its good to see you sharing with us as always.

05/03/2008 01:29 PM

by Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Agent, Kimberly Grant (Exit Leon Crawford Realty)

Karen that is a cool little tool :) I hope you are doing well.

05/03/2008 01:51 PM

by Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty)

I like it~ I will bookmark for when I have extra time to play. Thanks for sharing. I like the moving ....

05/03/2008 01:56 PM

by Rosemary Brooks -Mother & Daughter (866)-750-8282 (Family Realty Group - 866-750-8282)

Reminds of the talking-and-moving portraits in the Harry Potter books. :-) That's way cool. I think I'll play around with it a little later.

And P.S. I think your head wrap look is very sexy......

05/03/2008 02:07 PM

by Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

At first I thought I was seeing things....That's GREAT!

05/03/2008 02:40 PM

by Ruthmarie Hicks (Keller Williams Realty)

Great info and as always easy to understand thanks for taking the time to share.

05/03/2008 04:40 PM

by Terry Westbrook ~ Realtor(R) Grand Rapids Mi Ada/Cascade Real Estate (Five Star Real Estate, LLC Grand Rapids , MI)

This won't animate for me....maybe it's because I use Firefox for a browser? Or maybe it's because of my antique computer? Nice to see you posting Karen! Hope you feel as good as you look!

05/03/2008 04:55 PM

by Mary Warren, Las Vegas Real Estate (Keller Williams Southern Nevada)

I'm with Cheryl - it reminded me of the Harry Potter portraits - way cool!! As always, you're on the cutting edge of coolness.

05/03/2008 05:32 PM

by Melissa Schnieders (RE/MAX Pinnacle)

Way kewl! You are beautiful! What a wonderful smile! Thanks for sharing.

05/03/2008 07:20 PM

by Judi Glamb, Associate Broker, ABR (Coldwell Banker Hearthside)

AWESOME smile, Karen!!

Ann

05/03/2008 08:28 PM

by Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire)

The one I'm seeing isn't moving. Isn't it supposed to be? And I use my regular camera for all my videos too. It convenient to just pull out one of the memory cards, pop it in the computer and do whatever I want with it. I have mine set to save as .mov files though.

05/03/2008 11:29 PM

by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach REALTOR®) (Adams Cameron and Company)

Wow, that is really, really cool Karen. You, in fact are incredibly cool. I agree, head wrap is way sexy and nothing beats that joyful smile of yours!

05/03/2008 11:58 PM

by Carin Arrigo-Zimmer (Referral Real Estate Services, Inc.)

Good morning Karen,

Nice feature, thank you for posting and sharing. Rainers are so willing to pass on all kinds of information, you are no exception. Thanks again.

Hal

05/04/2008 07:33 AM

by Harold (Hal) Place (A1 Connection Realty, Inc.)

thanks for the post. I'll check it out!

05/04/2008 07:39 AM

by Elkhart-Evelyn Johnston (Prudential One Realty)

Karen-thanks for a great idea. There is so much for me to learn!

05/04/2008 07:46 AM

by Patty Ledford-Your N. Ga. Mountain Agent -The Ledford Team-Blue Ridge, Ga. (EXIT Realty Mountain Properties)

I'm pretty sure you can set the gif to loop too so it would stay animated (if you wanted it to).

05/05/2008 12:34 AM

by Benjamin Clark - Exclusive BUYER'S AGENT - Salt Lake City, Utah (Homebuyer Representation, Inc.)

Karen - I love it, but will have to bring in the dream team (my teenagers) to do it for me. Thanks! Flagged!

05/05/2008 12:52 AM

by Virginia Hepp Mesquite NV REALTOR>> Mesquite NV Real Estate (Mesquite GMAC Real Estate)

Sounds like a great idea, I am going to try it soon.

All the best!

Kevin

05/05/2008 01:58 AM

by Kevin O'Shea, White Plains, NY Real Estate (American Classic Homes, Inc.)

Tops on the Cool Scale! Thanks, we'll be trying this one!

05/06/2008 04:16 PM

by Alexander ∞ Slocum Real Estate Team - Vancouver Washington Real Estate (RE/MAX equity group, inc.)

Cool Karen! It looks like a lot of fun. There are so many cool things to add on to differentiate our selves lately. I'll be check into this. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Jo Newton

05/06/2008 04:26 PM

by Josette M Newton, Property Management (BridgeWell Realty Inc.)

That's awesome Karen, first time I've seen animated portrait.

05/06/2008 04:28 PM

by Fox Cities Real Estate Hotline--- Bob Edwards- Appleton, WI (Coldwell Banker- The Real Estate Group)

Karen,

What a terrific idea. You look absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful smile. I hope you are feeling well.

Thanks for the great info.

05/07/2008 03:26 PM

by Christine Trebendis ~ Rooms Revealed (Rooms Revealed)

This is really cool Karen! Behold the lowly .gif format... it's supported by the web... has the power of animation but has fallen out favor for whatever reason. Animated gifs can be very small in size and effective in purpose.

05/07/2008 07:34 PM

by Chuck Willman, Arizona Realtor®, ABR, TRC (Gentry Realty & Investments)

Aloha Karen,

Super neat idea, thanks for sharing your brain child! Now, if I only had the time...

Peace,

05/07/2008 11:44 PM

by Kimo Stowell (JDS Consulting Staging & Interiors)

Amazing

05/08/2008 11:15 PM

by BILL CHERRY (BILL CHERRY, REALTORS - DALLAS)

Karen - The animated portrait really caught me off guard. Way to stay ahead of the pack and best of luck in all that you do.

05/08/2008 11:23 PM

by Lynn Johnson, Owatonna, MN Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Home Connection)

Thanks for the wonderful tip! How cute is your doo-rag? LOVE IT! You are beautiful as always!

05/09/2008 09:22 AM

by Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Real Estate (Nevada Realty Solutions)

It definitely got my attention. Thanks for sharing.

05/09/2008 03:30 PM

by Dana Forster Realtor, A Home 4Sale Inc, Va (AHome4Sale)

Pretty cool karen, Thanx for sharing...I will try it after i learn a little more technically...

05/09/2008 03:58 PM

by PATRICE BRICE (PB APPRAISALS)

Karen the photo kind of spooked me when you moved the first time. We are going to have to try this out for our website.

05/10/2008 09:28 AM

by The Bartley Group - Owatonna, MN Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Home Connection)

This looks like it was fun to do, though probably much more complicated than I am willing to deal with. That's why God made husbands. :) I'll add it to his Honey-Do list. :)

05/10/2008 11:56 AM

by Chris Ann Cleland, GRI (Long & Foster)

Karen - this is so kewl...I will bookmark this and check back after Mother's Day dinner...Hope your Mother's Day has been spent in a wonderful way, Happy Mother's Day friend.

05/11/2008 08:17 PM

by Gilbert Arizona Real Estate - Candace Robinson (HomeSmart )

Hi Karen. That was sooo cool. I'll look into the software right after posting this comment. Thanks for the great tip.

05/12/2008 11:09 AM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

Karen, this is way cool. You always proffer such great information. It looks so natural too. Great smile! ;-)

05/12/2008 06:47 PM

by Mesa, Arizona Real Estate *** Teri Ellis, Broker, ABR,CRS,GRI,ePRO,MRE (Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC)

Karen, I can't wait to try this! Thank you for showing us how and making me laugh. I wish you well and am glad to see you bringing such great posts. Later in the rain~Deb

05/12/2008 06:49 PM

by Deb at Brooks Prime Properties

Very cool...thanks for sharing your idea.

Dave

05/12/2008 07:04 PM

by Dave Ruwe Realtor GRI www.daveruwehomes.com (Keller Williams Realty)

Karen - Thats cool. I just started to read this post and notice something moving in the left corner. I thought at first my were eye playing tricks on me.

05/12/2008 10:26 PM

by Robert Schwabe - Orange Park Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Tatum, Williams)

Karen, it takes a regular picture and really adds life to it.

05/13/2008 09:46 AM

by Frank Rubi Louisiana Real Estate-Homes for Sale (Specialized Real Estate Services, Inc.)

This is cool! Thanks for sharing the information... I wouldn't have thought of this on my own!

05/13/2008 02:13 PM

by Nancy Robertson, HSR, ASHSR (Signature Style Staging)

Hi Karen, I hope you are doing well. Yes, I'm going to agree with a previous comment, I was busy reading when all of a sudden your picture started moving I jumped! LOL Thanks for the chuckle! =)

05/13/2008 02:54 PM

by Abby Reilly; NW Atlanta Home Stager (ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC)

Karen, what a cool photo.

05/13/2008 08:55 PM

by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Karen - Thanks you for the smile. It's nice to see you smile. I'm a Firefox diehard. I took your 204 frames, set the file to repeat but delayed the last frame value for 500 instead of 3. If yu host it on your own server it'll work in FF. My image grab is a little scratchy - sorry.

Once again thanks for the smile!

05/13/2008 09:14 PM

by Mike Mueller (Patagonia Finance)

Karen~ what a fun idea. It reminds me of the animated portaits in Harry Potter!

05/13/2008 09:59 PM

by Lisa Ryan~Selling Princeton,West Windsor and Montgomery Township New Jersey (Prudential NJ Properties)

Karen, my heart just skipped a beat. I wasn't expecting your photo to be animated. Way, too cool!

05/13/2008 10:15 PM

by Natalie Langford, Winchester, VA Real Estate (Realty Direct of Shenandoah Valley)

Thanks Mike! I need to learn how to use the software better. Thanks again!

05/13/2008 10:38 PM

by Arizona Home Loan

Karen,

That freaked me out. I thought you were going to jump out at me. You come up with the coolest stuff.

05/13/2008 11:04 PM

by Fran Gatti - Crescent City CA Real Estate (RE/MAX Coastal Redwoods)

Karen, This photo is the same beautiful you I remember meeting a little over two years ago.

The photo Mike set up looks like it has lightening all over it! (I am looking in Firefox)

I did go look in IE and saw it work normal. Very cool.

05/14/2008 03:54 AM

by Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~ Doreen McPherson (Keller Williams Arizona Realty ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe)

Thats pretty cool Karen. Thanks for sharing and I'll try it sometime.

05/14/2008 02:23 PM

by Jeffrey de Jesus (REMAX Westlake Investments)

Very cool

05/14/2008 03:03 PM

by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)

Really cool tip! As for amateur, I don't think so, it looked professional.

C. Lange

05/14/2008 03:09 PM

by Michael Lange, e-Pro, GRI and Cheron Lange (John Hall and Associates)

That is so Cool!! Really neat stuff, thanks for telling us about it. Wow!

05/14/2008 03:37 PM

by Colorado Springs Realty Patricia Beck (Prudential Professional Realtors, GRI)

I have to come around here more often. First of all, that is really cool. Second, you look marvelous!

05/18/2008 08:25 AM

by Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate (Keller Williams Elite Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)

Hi Karen,

Great idea. I came across an animated gif program a while ago and only played around with it a little bit, but it is FREE!!

Here is the link.....

www.gifninja.com

The program that you have is probably better, but this is a good one if someone wants to try it out without any investment first.

05/18/2008 02:48 PM

by John Karadsheh, ABR, CRS ~ REALTOR® Mesa, Arizona - Las Sendas Real Estate (Russ Lyon Realty Company ~ Mesa, Arizona )

Hi Karen..What a Great Smile, Thanks for the Tip, Great Idea..I suppose you have us all talking with our Photos of ourselves soon.

Thanks

05/30/2008 11:56 PM

by Fred Carver,Victoria BC Realtor (Re/Max Camosun Victoria Real Estate)

Very cool and what a beautiful woman you are.

05/31/2008 12:08 AM

by CF Escrow, Inc. (CF Escrow, Inc.)

Hi Karen. Thanks for sharing the great tip! Keep them coming.

05/31/2008 12:09 AM

by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

Hi Karen...Every time you smiled it made me smile. Thank you.

Take care,

Kathleen

06/02/2008 10:22 PM

by Kathleen "Kate" Elim, LAKE ANNA, VA Real Estate (RE/MAX Lake & Country)

Hi Karen,

What a neat post. I loved how you animated yourself!

Computers are amazing.

06/05/2008 11:20 PM

by Mary Anne Daly

Wow - Good info - I will save this for a weekend activity - May take me the entire weekend! Thanks for sharing!

06/06/2008 06:30 AM

by Marcia Kramarz (Prudential Page Realty)

Thanks for the fun post and idea, Karen. And John, thanks for the link to the FREE software- I'm going to go check it out now!

06/10/2008 10:13 PM

by Dawn Pratt, East Orlando Real Estate (Keller Williams Advantage II Realty)

Miss Karen ~

What an awesome idea and I love love love the $5.00 donation idea. That is fantabulous! Good to see that you are doing well. Hugs to you! xoxo

06/12/2008 09:54 AM

by Sarah Eubanks ~ Preferred Oregon Loan Consultant & Notary Public (Hill Valley Financial Services)

wow Karen; this is so awesome; oh my gosh; the tornado siren just went off in our town; gotta go; AGAIN

06/13/2008 12:32 AM

by Patti A Puckett (Broker Associate/Realtor/ISA with Nouveau Riche)

That was very cool! (It freaked me out at first, I didn't expect to see your picture 'move' lol)

Sonja

06/13/2008 08:52 AM

by Sonja Priebe (City Realty Inc.)

Karen,
seems nice, but why it does not work the loop? keep the good work and nice to see you again , long time eh ?
Ray Saenz

06/24/2008 12:48 AM

by Aurora Colorado Real Estate Ray Saenz, Colorado Realtor (United Property Brokers, INC)

Karen,

You come up with some of the coolest stuff..but that is kind of spooky...who knows I always try everything at least once.

06/25/2008 07:35 PM

by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate (Fonville Morisey)

So, I probably won't do this. I think it's neat and all, and I like tech, but not for me.

What I find extraordinary is that I'm guessing you are in chemo, and that you're doing this for donations. Blessings to you, and thank you for your gifts to others. I'd like to donate because I think you are a gift (not to mention your gif... HA).

thanks for all you are doing!!

06/25/2008 07:54 PM

by Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita)

Very cool I will have to try it out soon...........

06/25/2008 11:25 PM

by Jack Climer Realty, LLC

Karen, This is really fun! What a neat idea! Even neater is your suggestion of making a donation. Thanks for the both ideas. Take care.

06/26/2008 02:33 PM

by Cindy Eanes (Harris & Associates, Inc.)

Love it! When you look back and smile, it made me smile:) Thank you for sharing!

07/12/2008 06:19 PM

by Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor (Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC)

Leave a response…

Name:

Notify me of new comments:

Comment:

What does the graphic say?