(1) Open Animation Shop 3
Go to 'File', 'Preferences', 'General Program Preferences', 'Layered Files' tab and set it up like shown.
NOTE: If you had to change your settings then you will have to close the Animation Shop and reopen it.
(2) Click on 'Animation Wizard' icon. 
Use these settings below:
a. Same size as the first frame. Next
b. Transparent. Next.
c. Centered in the frame & With the canvas color. Next.
d. Yes, repeat the animation indefinitely. Next.
e. How long to play each frame is '30' 1/100th of a second. Next.
f. Click on 'Add Image' - navigate to the directory where you saved the 'tree frames 1-4'.
Click on 'frame 4'. Hold down the Shift key and click on 'frame 1'. This will select all your frames in order that you need them to be animated. Choose Open.
g. Choose 'Next'
h. Choose 'Finish' and let the wizard do it's thing *S.
(3) This is a very large tree to work with. Resize now if you want a smaller tree. Click on 'Animation', 'Resize Animation' and choose your size. Most times 75% of the original is fine.
(4) If you would like to see your tree in action click on 'View' from your top menu and then 'Animation' or click on this icon from the icon bar 
(5) Before you can continue turn off the 'Animated View'.
(6) You can not save an animation until you go through the 'Optimization Process', so click on 'File', 'Optimization Wizard'.
OPTIMIZING THE ANIMATION
(7) First page settings are:
(8) Click 'Next', then click on 'Customize'.
Now choose these settings for each of the three tabs. After setting each one, click OK.
Click 'Next'. Let it run to optimize and then click 'Next' again to see the animation in the optimized image window.
Now click 'Next' and then 'Finish'.
You may want to try different settings for a smaller file if you are familiar with the Animation Shop, otherwise, you have completed your task.
Save your animated Christmas tree. Close original file and the Animation Shop.
