PhotoImpact GIF Animator

PhotoImpact GIF Animator is a recently released client that offers a solid alternative to GIF Construction Set, currently the Internet's most popular client for designing animated GIFs. While GIF Animator lacks some of the features found in GIF Construction Set, it does present an intuitive interface that's both easier to learn and easier to use on a regular basis. It also tends to create animated GIFs that are smaller in file size than identical (in appearance) ones created using GIF Construction Set, n important factor to consider when hosting animated GIFs on a website. GIF Animator lacks GIF Construction Set's animation wizard, AVI to animated GIF creation, extensive file support (PNG, JPEG, BMP, TGA, MAC, and ART as well as GIF), and Wide Palette GIF support, but it does include support for cool effects like banner text creation, image transitions (ten different effects for changing the way your image fades in and out after being downloaded), transparency (so that the background of your graphic bl nds in with the background of your web site), interlacing (allowing the graphic to become visible as it is being downloaded rather than appearing only after the graphic has been downloaded entirely), exporting (breaking multiple layers into individual single-frame GIFs), and merging (combining multiple images into one). Additional features that help automate the process of creating new animated graphics include drag 'n' drop image insertion (drag images directly into GIF Animator using Explorer or PhotoImpact's own management tools), modeless user interface (allows you to view all parameters at the same time, including inline previewing of animated graphics), complete palette control which can reduce the number of gratuitous colors and thereby reduce the file size of the graphic (construct a global palette or use a Netsc pe/Internet Explorer 'safe' palette), visual composition for quickly editing animations and inserting or deleting frames, layer merging (create a new single layer from multiple selected image layers), color animation effects, palette gradients, and more. GIF Construction Set and GIF Animator both include extensive online help documentation that will help get you up and running quickly with animated GIFs. Both apps are also roughly parallel in terms of features, cost (both in the $20 range), and ease of se. Like so many other apps today, picking one over the other will likely come down to your own personal preferences, but one thing's for sure -- you can't go wrong with either one. Pros: Excellent selection of image enhancement tools for GIF animation, intuitive and graphically appealing interface Cons: Only works with GIF images, lacks some features found in GIF Construction Set Version Reviewed: 1.0 Date of Review: 10/1/96 For the latest information on the Animator, check out http://www.stroud.com/95image.html#photigif apps conference Main Menu