Animated GIFS

Mr.Bob · Post by **Mr.Bob** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:30 am

I just started making these a while ago... but I've been wondering what's the most recommended program to use to put together animated GIFS.

Till now, I've been using a program called GIF Movie Gear, but my trail period ends tomorrow, and before getting myself a "free copy", I was just thinking about what else is out there. Movie Gear doesn't offer much in the way of options, having zero effects tools but featuring a nifty compression optimizer and a colour reduction tool but I guess those are pretty bog standard.
Does Windows come with any gif sorting programs? Or, for that case, do any other programs include gif sorting as part of their package? - I heard Corel Draw may feature this... but I'm not planning on installing Corel Draw anyway.

How do you do it?

OnyxSerpent · Post by **OnyxSerpent** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:40 am

I use Ulead Gif Animator 4.0 that came with my copy of PhotoImpact 6 (I don't know if it comes with the later versions, although I suspect it does, as I also got that version of the program, with PhotoImpact 5, when I had that). Yeah, sure, it might not be the best set of programs ever, but it's actually reasonably priced compared to some of the others I've seen, and gets what I need done. But then again, price only matters if you either have no access to pirated software and/or have parents or some other person who is strongly against any "free copies" of stuff you come across.
As far as I know, Windows doesn't come with an animated gif thing, but then again, I'd be hestiant to use it, since they don't seem to make good art programs.

One of my friends found an animated gif thing last night (It had "animator' in the name, that's all I remember), and if she was online, I'd look up the specs, but she's not.

RLC Davidson · Post by **RLC Davidson** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:51 am

I use the program that came with my copy of PSP. Not that it's any good, though. Minimal tools and the lack of the ability to scroll while zoomed in kinda suck.

EDIT: I also use DOGA, which is a 3d anim. program available for free out on the net. It lets you build meshes from "lego block" style pieces, and set camera angles and stuff. Its good for basic spacecraft/mechs, but not much more. (The free version at least.)

Hiye · Post by **Hiye** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:27 am

You could use Corel RAVE, Photoshop Imageready, Flash... however, I don't recommend using Imageready unless you can't find a better program, due to the strict limitations in its options.

As for Corel, I don't recommend those programs either, as they usually take a lot of memory and are very complex, and therefore take a heck of a long time to learn to do anything with. Not to mention, many older computers have a hard time supporting them.

So the best thing I can suggest is, try Flash 5.0 or Imageready, or any other programs out there that could work, and decide which you like best.

Brockway · Post by **Brockway** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:33 am

Gimp can do animation, although its pretty bare bones. But its what I always use, so I'm fine with it.

Jim North · Post by **Jim North** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 2:00 pm

I just use good ol' Microsoft GIF Animator.

Mr.Bob · Post by **Mr.Bob** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 2:14 pm

Jim North wrote:I just use good ol' Microsoft GIF Animator.

Sounds like part of the Windows package... is it? Where'd I find it?

Jim North · Post by **Jim North** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 2:38 pm

I've never had a computer that already had it on the hard drive (though you'd think it would be, wouldn't you?), but it is Microsoft freeware. You can find about a million places to download it from just by putting "Microsoft GIF Animator" in at Google.