Canonical page: https://digit-video.luopeike.com/video-frames-to-gif-and-mp4 Workflow guide # Make a GIF or MP4 from selected video frames Extract frames, choose 2–60 useful stills, then turn them into a silent short video or animated GIF on Mac, iPhone or iPad. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6508171056) [Help](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/help) Updated: 2026-11-11 Selected-frame MP4 and GIF export requires Dig It 1.4.5 or later on Mac, iPhone or iPad. Check the version available in your App Store before downloading for this feature. ## Getting started 1. Import a video and extract its frames. Select 2–60 images in the results page. 2. Open Export and choose Create Short Video or Create GIF. Preview the sequence, choose the time per frame and maximum edge, and optionally reverse playback. GIF also offers a loop switch. 3. Export and save or share the file. Frames play in source-time order unless reversed. Use Save separately to keep the project in History. ## Timing, dimensions and export limits Choose 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 seconds per frame. MP4 maximum-edge options are 720, 1280 and 1920 pixels; GIF options are 320, 480 and 640. The export preserves aspect ratio, fits stills on a consistent canvas and never upscales them. Use 2–60 frames per export. This workflow is in the graphical app, not the separate CLI. [![Real GIF export settings with four selected video frames. English Mac interface shown.](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/images/mac-frame-animation.webp)](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/images/mac-frame-animation.webp) Real GIF export settings with four selected video frames. English Mac interface shown. Sample video: Big Buck Bunny. © 2008 Blender Foundation. Frames arranged in Dig It. [Big Buck Bunny](https://peach.blender.org/about/) · [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) ## Does the GIF or MP4 keep the original motion and audio? No. It displays the selected still images for the chosen duration. MP4 is silent; GIF has no audio. Dig It does not restore the source video's continuous movement, interpolate frames or generate AI motion. Use the result to share key moments or a process, not as a full-motion video conversion. ## Export cover images and printable PDF contact sheets Frame sampling, source-resolution export, cropped covers and PDF contact sheets require Dig It 1.4.3 or later. Sampling and source-resolution export are Mac-only; covers and PDF contact sheets are available on Mac, iPhone and iPad. On Mac, iPhone or iPad, select one result and choose Export → Export Cover. Choose the original ratio, 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 or 4:3, adjust the crop position and maximum edge, then save PNG or JPEG. JPEG can be limited to 2 MB; if it cannot fit, choose smaller dimensions. Images are never upscaled. For a printable overview, choose Export → PDF Contact Sheet, A4 or Letter, and 2–4 columns. Up to 120 selected frames are ordered chronologically and paginated automatically, with the video name and timestamps. With no selection, all remaining results are used. A PNG contact sheet still accepts at most 40 frames. ## What is different on Mac, iPhone and iPad? ### Mac Mac adds a batch queue, folder import, extraction presets, automatic PNG/JPEG export and nearby source-frame review. Choose an output folder before enabling automatic export. ### iPhone / iPad On iPhone and iPad, choose one video from Photos or Files, review the extracted images, export selected PNGs or a contact sheet, and explicitly save results to History. ## Save a frame set you can return to Use Save to keep the full current result set and available timestamps in local History. Reopen a saved project to review, delete, export and save changes to the same record. The source video is not stored with the history record; older metadata-only records cannot recreate missing images. ## Related guides [Batch extract video frames on Mac Queue video files or a folder, choose a reusable extraction preset, and review each result or export PNG/JPEG images automatically. Processing stays on your Mac. Read the guide →](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/batch-extract-video-frames-on-mac) [Create a video contact sheet Arrange video stills with timestamps in a PNG overview or an automatically paginated PDF contact sheet. Compare cover candidates, share a scene summary or collect tutorial steps without sending the original video. Read the guide →](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/video-contact-sheet) [Create a PNG or JPEG cover from video Select one extracted frame and use Export Cover to crop it, choose PNG or JPEG and optionally limit JPEG to 2 MB. Make a thumbnail for a listing, presentation or post without uploading your clip. Read the guide →](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/video-cover-image-from-video) [Turn a video into tutorial step images Use Steps mode to collect useful changes from a tutorial or screen recording. Review and export selected PNG images for your notes, documentation or presentations; use a PDF contact sheet for a timestamped overview. Read the guide →](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/turn-video-into-step-images) [Help Learn to extract and select frames, make silent MP4s or GIFs, export covers and PDFs, and save projects. Includes Mac workflows and export limits.](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/help) [Read as Markdown](https://digit-video.luopeike.com/video-frames-to-gif-and-mp4.md)