BookmarkSubscribeRSS Feed
Reeza
Super User

Does anyone by chance have an example of generating an animated graphic directly into a PDF report?

 

I know it's possible and can manually insert one via InDesign or automated in R via gganimate but looking to see if I can stay within my SAS processes. 

 

13 REPLIES 13
Reeza
Super User
Sadly no. Those create a gif file that is animated and a PDF with an image for each portion of the animation. I’ll run an example from gganimate and include it when I’m at a computer later tonight.
Reeza
Super User

Here's an example that's a bit over the top, but definitely a possibility. Open the PDF in Adobe not a different PDF viewer. 

I think this example is using JS behind the scenes. 

 

 

 

 

ChrisNZ
Tourmaline | Level 20

Very interesting, thank you.

Why would someone write a paper describing a process that doesn't work? Sigh..

I guess this feature is but a new entry to be added in the sasware ballot for now.

Reeza
Super User

I suspect it's a matter of embedding an image within the PDF with the correct options. So creating a GIF or MOV file and then somehow embedding that within a PDF. I know we can add/embed images, so just not sure what settings I may need to embed that specifically. I was hoping someone had already figured it out but I guess I can Smiley LOL

ChrisNZ
Tourmaline | Level 20
PGStats
Opal | Level 21

I tried the method given in @Cynthia_sas message to embed a GIF in a PDF document. It worked, but the resulting image wasn't animated.

PG
Cynthia_sas
SAS Super FREQ

Hi:
My understanding of PDF was that graphs were converted to an internal image format. I don't know what happens with animated graphics. However, I found this:

make_a_mov.png

It does look like you have to convert the GIF into a MOV. I don't think SAS will do that, so you might have to take the animated GIF from SAS and do something with it with a 3-rd party product to make it a MOV.

Cynthia

Reeza
Super User
I found that one too, but think its a few years old. I believe Adobe now allows gifs but you need to have pro to do it. I'll verify that today at the office. Is there some reason SAS couldn't generate a mov file instead of a gif?
ChrisNZ
Tourmaline | Level 20

So if we had a mov graphics driver it night work? One for R&D @Jay54?

Reeza
Super User
I don't think a mov file is a requirement. The file attached has no mov file, it's from latex, but not sure how it works...it's possible it's a mov file I suppose.
ChrisNZ
Tourmaline | Level 20

Or JS takes care of displaying the single images in turn.

djrisks
Barite | Level 11

I usually export the SAS animation as a GIF. Then convert the GIF to a movie file with a free converter online. Then use Adobe Pro to insert the animation (movie file) into the PDF. This is similar to @Reeza's suggestion.

 

Many thanks,

 

Kriss

SAS Innovate 2025: Register Now

Registration is now open for SAS Innovate 2025 , our biggest and most exciting global event of the year! Join us in Orlando, FL, May 6-9.
Sign up by Dec. 31 to get the 2024 rate of just $495.
Register now!

How to Concatenate Values

Learn how use the CAT functions in SAS to join values from multiple variables into a single value.

Find more tutorials on the SAS Users YouTube channel.

SAS Training: Just a Click Away

 Ready to level-up your skills? Choose your own adventure.

Browse our catalog!

Discussion stats
  • 13 replies
  • 2681 views
  • 2 likes
  • 5 in conversation