Choose a frame disposal method

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Select how frames are processed during animation playback by choosing the appropriate disposal method for each frame in Adobe Photoshop.

Selecting the right disposal method ensures your animation displays correctly without unwanted artifacts. Frame disposal methods control whether a frame remains visible or is removed before displaying the next frame. The right choice depends on your animation's needs—whether you want frames to build upon each other or replace previous content entirely.

Select one or more frames in the Timeline panel (Window > Timeline).

Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (macOS) the selected frames.

Select one of the following disposal methods:

  • Automatic: Lets Photoshop determine the appropriate disposal method for the frame.
  • Do Not Dispose: Preserves the current frame when the next frame is displayed. This option allows transparent areas of the next frame to show content from previous frames. Use this when building cumulative animations where elements are added progressively.
  • Dispose: Removes the current frame before displaying the next frame. Only the current frame will be visible, with no content showing through from previous frames. Use this when each frame should completely replace the previous one.

Use the playback controls at the bottom of the Timeline panel to test how your disposal methods affect the animation.