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Converting a multi-page PostScript to an animated GIF

convert input.ps -delay 200 -rotate "90<" output.gif

Tip: Alter the speed of animation

To set the animation speed use

convert input.gif -delay 200 output.gif

Tip: Continuous looping

Some viewers, especially some version of MS Powerpoint, only play a single animation cycle. To make it continuous you can use the option -loop with convert:

convert input.gif -loop 999 output.gif

NOTE: Sometimes Powerpoint requires extra settings for continuous looping of GIFs. Go to the "video tools" menu, which contains "format" and "playback". Under the playback menu, there is a button "Loop until stopped". Click on it, to allow continuous loops! (Thanks to Jean-Noël for this)

Tip: Transparent background

You can also use convert to replace any white in the image with a transparent background:

convert input.gif -fuzz 10% -transparent white output.gif

 

 

Example Metview Macro

The following macro retrieves data from MARS, plots it to a PostScript file and uses the convert command to generate an animated gif. The result is shown above.

# Metview Macro

#  **************************** LICENSE START ***********************************
# 
#  Copyright 2014 ECMWF. This software is distributed under the terms
#  of the Apache License version 2.0. In applying this license, ECMWF does not
#  waive the privileges and immunities granted to it by virtue of its status as
#  an Intergovernmental Organization or submit itself to any jurisdiction.
# 
#  ***************************** LICENSE END ************************************

# retrieve some data from MARS

t2m_fc = retrieve(
        type    : "fc",
        levtype : "sfc",
        param   : "2t",
        time    : 00,
        step    : [00,"to",72,"by",6],
        grid    : [1.5,1.5]
        )


# define our plotting attributes

t_shade = mcont(
        legend                    : "on",
        contour_automatic_setting : "ecchart"
        )

view = geoview(
        map_area_definition : "corners",
        area                : [30.62,-25.4,70.12,40.36]
        )


# plot the data

outdir      = getenv('SCRATCH')
outbasename = "t2m_fc"
ps = ps_output(output_name : outdir & "/" & outbasename)
setoutput(ps)
plot(view, t2m_fc, t_shade)

# force Macro to wait for the plot to be generated, then convert
# to animated gif

setoutput(ps) # setoutput() forces the plot to finish
shell('convert ' & outdir & '/' & outbasename & '.ps' & ' -delay 100 -rotate "90<" ' & outdir & '/' & outbasename & '.gif')
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