Animated GIF software recommendation?

Gromitspapa · 12-22-2005, 09:52 PM

I'm looking for some (say <$20) software to make animated GIFs. I've been using Microsoft GIF Animator, but I don't think it does a thing to minimize file size. I believe other programs save a ton of file size by basically reusing the portions of the image that don't change. Any suggestions?

Elspode · 12-23-2005, 12:30 AM

http://wisdom-soft.com/products/motiongif.htm ???

Perry Winkle · 12-23-2005, 12:47 AM

Free:
http://www.gimp.org/

a guide I found informative:
http://www.disordered.org/Animate.html

Also, http://www.freshmeat.net/.

Freshmeat Search Results

Troubleshooter · 12-23-2005, 01:22 PM

The three times I've made animated gifs I used the animation program that came with Paintshop Pro.

tw · 12-23-2005, 02:48 PM

MakeGIF

A simple program that worked better than most 'cheap' programs. Its been a while, so I don't remember if this one makes more efficient animated GIFs. Some simply store repeated copies of GIF images and play them. Better GIF programs determine what has changed and only store data for those changes. These better GIF programs therefore make anitmated GIF files that are significantly smaller.

As I also remember, this program provided a slightly more flexible timing adjustment compared to other 'cheap' GIF programs. Only look at less than 10 back then. This one was an easiest to learn, do it, and be done.

tw · 01-07-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gromitspapa

I'm looking for some (say <$20) software to make animated GIFs.

So what did you discover? What did you use?

Gromitspapa · 01-07-2006, 05:42 PM

I've been using the Ulead GIF Animator 5 on their 15 day free trial. It works very well for my purposes, is much more powerful than and saves a lot of time vs the free Microsoft GIF Animator. I can load jpegs into it, fiddle around, preview, and see the exact file size before saving it. I thought it was $29.95 when I signed up for the free trial, but now realize that was the upgrade price. It's really $49.95, and you can't save much shopping online.

I heard Corel Animation Shop 3 is good, and it's $39. I requested their 30 day free trial, but the link they sent me doesn't work. I'll probably call their customer support to obtain the free trial before I decide.

A couple of samples so far:

Gromitspapa · 01-07-2006, 05:50 PM

Here's a couple other avatars I made with the Ulead software...

12-22-2005, 09:52 PM	#1
Gromitspapa Knight of the Oval-Shaped Conference Table Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 377	Animated GIF software recommendation? I'm looking for some (say <$20) software to make animated GIFs. I've been using Microsoft GIF Animator, but I don't think it does a thing to minimize file size. I believe other programs save a ton of file size by basically reusing the portions of the image that don't change. Any suggestions?

12-23-2005, 12:30 AM	#2
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	http://wisdom-soft.com/products/motiongif.htm ??? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

12-23-2005, 01:22 PM	#4
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	The three times I've made animated gifs I used the animation program that came with Paintshop Pro. __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

01-07-2006, 05:42 PM	#7
Gromitspapa Knight of the Oval-Shaped Conference Table Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 377	I've been using the Ulead GIF Animator 5 on their 15 day free trial. It works very well for my purposes, is much more powerful than and saves a lot of time vs the free Microsoft GIF Animator. I can load jpegs into it, fiddle around, preview, and see the exact file size before saving it. I thought it was $29.95 when I signed up for the free trial, but now realize that was the upgrade price. It's really $49.95, and you can't save much shopping online. I heard Corel Animation Shop 3 is good, and it's $39. I requested their 30 day free trial, but the link they sent me doesn't work. I'll probably call their customer support to obtain the free trial before I decide. A couple of samples so far: Attached Images Last edited by Gromitspapa; 01-07-2006 at 05:52 PM.

01-07-2006, 05:50 PM	#8
Gromitspapa Knight of the Oval-Shaped Conference Table Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 377	Here's a couple other avatars I made with the Ulead software... Attached Images Last edited by Gromitspapa; 01-07-2006 at 05:53 PM.

12-23-2005, 12:47 AM	#3
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	Free: http://www.gimp.org/ a guide I found informative: http://www.disordered.org/Animate.html Also, http://www.freshmeat.net/. Freshmeat Search Results

12-23-2005, 02:48 PM	#5
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	MakeGIF A simple program that worked better than most 'cheap' programs. Its been a while, so I don't remember if this one makes more efficient animated GIFs. Some simply store repeated copies of GIF images and play them. Better GIF programs determine what has changed and only store data for those changes. These better GIF programs therefore make anitmated GIF files that are significantly smaller. As I also remember, this program provided a slightly more flexible timing adjustment compared to other 'cheap' GIF programs. Only look at less than 10 back then. This one was an easiest to learn, do it, and be done.

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