Creating Your Work in JIT Animate

JIT Animate offers a simple and engaging way for learners to explore animation. By combining backgrounds, characters, and frame-by-frame storytelling, pupils can bring their ideas to life in a fun and accessible format.

Getting Started

  1. Open JIT and select ‘Animate’.

  2. Choose a background:

    • Select a pre-made template, or

    • Click ‘Picture’ to upload an image from:

      • My Files

      • Google Image Search

      • Webcam

Once selected, your chosen image will appear as the animation background.

 




Choosing a Character

To animate, it’s easiest to start with a character image. JIT Animate provides a wide range of ready-made characters from its built-in image libraries.

  • A default character will load on the left side of the animation screen.

  • Click the library name (below the character) to:

    • Browse preloaded character libraries,

    • Access your My Files, shared files, or search the web.

Click on a character to select it. Use the resize buttons to adjust the size before placing it into the frame.




Understanding the JIT Animate Interface



  • Background: The still image behind your animation. This does not move.

  • Character: The element that moves between frames. This can be an image or drawn object.

  • Frames: Each frame is a single snapshot. Movement is created by placing characters in slightly different positions in each frame.

  • FPS (Frames per Second): Adjust how fast your animation plays using the FPS slider.

  • Onion Skinning: A visual guide that shows faint outlines of the previous two frames, helping to accurately position your character in the next frame.




Creating Your Animation

  1. Select a background and character.

  2. In Frame 1, hover and click to stamp your character onto the background.

  3. Click the green ‘Add Frame’ button.

  4. In the new frame, use the onion skin guide to move your character slightly, then click to stamp it in place.

  5. Repeat this process to build your animation.

  • Press the play button to preview your work.

  • To delete a frame, click the red ‘X’.



Pro Tip:

Smaller movements between frames make your animation appear smoother and more realistic.


Saving Your Animation

You have two saving options:

  1. Save as a working file
    Click the save icon (top left). This allows you to reopen and continue editing your animation later. Ideal for projects spread over several lessons.

  2. Export as a GIF
    Click ‘Export as GIF’ (top right) to create a final version of your animation.

    If audio has been added, it will be included in the GIF export.

Both formats save a copy into your My Files area.

View-Only Mode

You can now share JIT files in view-only mode, allowing others to see your animations without editing them.

To learn how to open a file in view mode, watch this video:
How to open a file in view mode


Explore Examples

Want inspiration? Explore animation examples created in JIT Animate


JIT Animate examples


JIT Animate library resources