Animated GIF files
Most images used in web pages are one of two formats: JPEG
or GIF.
GIF files can contain many frames of information and saving the
files as an animated GIF will display these frames in sequence
when the GIF file is viewed in a web browser.
Example:
Here's an animated GIF borrowed from another
web site...
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This animated GIF of a puma is made up of 19 'frames', each of
which is displayed for a defined length of time. In this example
each frame displays for 16/100ths of a second. Below are all of
the 19 frames... |
Different speeds or 'frame rates'
 |
Here's the same set of frames in a different GIF file. This time
the time each frame is displayed for has been halved to 8/100ths
of a second. |
 |
This is 64/100ths of a second per frame. |
How many times the animation plays
As well as varying the frame rate of the file,
it's also possible to specify how many times the complete set of frames
is displayed. Here are some different options for how many times the file
can be displayed:
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 |
 |
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Original file |
Plays once |
Plays three times |
Plays ten times |
|
[plays for ever] |
[reload this page to see it play once] |
[each of these then stops] |
Software to create your own animated GIFs
Note: of the two programs below the Microsoft GIF Animator program
is probably easier to use, but the Jans Movies program is more powerful.
If it's something basic you are after then use the Microsoft GIF Animator.
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