GIFs Graphics !NEW!
The PNG format is newer than the GIF file but offers similar benefits, including lossless compression. One key difference is that only GIFs support animation. Some people prefer PNGs over GIFs for static website graphics because they can display more than 16 million colors, instead of just 256.
GIFs Graphics
The format supports up to 8 bits per pixel for each image, allowing a single image to reference its own palette of up to 256 different colors chosen from the 24-bit RGB color space. It also supports animations and allows a separate palette of up to 256 colors for each frame. These palette limitations make GIF less suitable for reproducing color photographs and other images with color gradients, but well-suited for simpler images such as graphics or logos with solid areas of color.
In the early days of graphical web browsers[when?], graphics cards with 8-bit buffers (allowing only 256 colors) were common and it was fairly common to make GIF images using the websafe palette.[according to whom?] This ensured predictable display, but severely limited the choice of colors. When 24-bit color became the norm, palettes could instead be populated with the optimum colors for individual images.
A small color table may suffice for small images, and keeping the color table small allows the file to be downloaded faster. Both the 87a and 89a specifications allow color tables of 2n colors for any n from 1 through 8. Most graphics applications will read and display GIF images with any of these table sizes; but some do not support all sizes when creating images. Tables of 2, 16, and 256 colors are widely supported.
The GIF encoding process can be modified to create a file without LZW compression that is still viewable as a GIF image. This technique was introduced originally as a way to avoid patent infringement. Uncompressed GIF can also be a useful intermediate format for a graphics programmer because individual pixels are accessible for reading or painting. An uncompressed GIF file can be converted to an ordinary GIF file simply by passing it through an image editor.
Metadata can be stored in GIF files as a comment block, a plain text block, or an application-specific application extension block. Several graphics editors use unofficial application extension blocks to include the data used to generate the image, so that it can be recovered for further editing.
And while it has swelled or dipped, the debate over how to pronounce the acronym for those minute looping animations became a thing once the GIF really took off. Is it a hard g like in graphics? Or a soft g like giant? Answering that question depends who you ask and whose authority on the matter you believe in.
GIFs have become so popular that even politicians are getting in on the fun. Last year, the House Judiciary Committee published a listicle (or "gifsticle") about President Obama's immigration policies, complete with GIFs from films like Pitch Perfect and The Little Mermaid. Pundits debated whether this appeal to the youth demographic was unbecoming of an official legislative body. But as The Wolf of Wall Street said: "The real question is this, was all this legal?"
If you start with a template, you have the ability to completely customize it to fit your brand and your needs. Or you can start from scratch to create your own custom GIF image. You can upload your own fonts, images and graphics or use the ones provided in the editor.
There are several GIF makers out there, but we think Visme is the best one. This is due to the array of animated graphics and capabilities our tool offers as well as the full customization ability our users get to create a completely unique GIF, unlike anything they've seen on GIPHY or Vimeo before. Plus, you won't be stuck with a massive file size that your iPhone or Android can't handle.
Lossy compression is actually a misnomer for GIFs and PNGs. The compression algorithms used in GIFs and PNGs (LZW and Deflate) are lossless, so there is no loss of data when compressing these palette-based formats. The lossiness comes in when a graphics program automatically prefilters or alters the image to compress more efficiently. The loss of data occurs in the prefiltering phase by increasing redundant patterns along scan lines to improve compression (see Figure 2). Lossy compression has become a shorthand, yet somewhat misleading, phrase for this process.
The format supports up to 8 bits per pixel, allowing a single image to reference a palette of up to 256 distinct colors chosen from the 24-bit RGB color space. It also supports animations and allows a separate palette of 256 colors for each frame. The color limitation makes the GIF format unsuitable for reproducing color photographs and other images with continuous color, but it is well-suited for simpler images such as graphics or logos with solid areas of color.
The creators of the format pronounced GIF with a soft "g", /ˈdʒɪf/, as in "George". However, many people pronounce GIF with a hard "G", as in a 'gift' /ˈɡɪf/,[citation needed] reflecting the way it is pronounced in its own acronym (Graphics Interchange Format). According to the creator of the GIF format, Steve Wilhite, the pronunciation deliberately echoes that of an American peanut butter brand, Jif, and the employees of CompuServe would often say "Choosy developers choose GIF", spoofing this brand's television commercials.[citation needed] This pronunciation was also identified by CompuServe in their documentation of a graphics display program called CompuShow.[2] Both pronunciations are given as correct by the Oxford English Dictionary[3] and the American Heritage Dictionary.[4]
GIF is palette based: although any palette selection can be one of millions of shades, the maximum number that can be used in a frame is 256. These are stored in a "palette", a table that associates each palette selection number with a specific RGB value. The limitation to 256 colors seemed reasonable at the time of GIF's creation because few people could afford the hardware to display more. Simple graphics, line drawings, cartoons, and grey-scale photographs typically need fewer than 256 colors. In addition, one of the colors in the palette can optionally be set as fully transparent. A transparent pixel takes on the color of the pixel in the same positions from the background, which may have been determined by a previous frame of animation.
In the early days of graphical web browsers, graphics cards with 8-bit buffers (allowing only 256 colors) were common and it was fairly common to make GIF images using the websafe palette.[citation needed] This ensured predictable display but severely limited the choice of colors. Now that 32-bit graphics cards, which support 24-bit color, are the norm, palettes can be made up of the optimum colors for individual images.
The GCEs allow the duration for which each frame is displayed to be specified in hundredths of second. Some economy of data is possible where a frame need only rewrite a portion of the pixels of the display, because the Image Descriptor can define a smaller rectangle to be rescanned instead of the whole image.Displays that do not support animated .gifs show only the first frame.
There are three file formats for graphics used on the web: JPG, GIF, and PNG. Each of these file formats are designed with a specific purpose in mind, so it is important to understand the differences when we use them in our websites.
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See also the web directory for GIF.GRAPHICS INTERCHANGE FORMAT(sm)Version 89a1987,1988,1989,1990CopyrightCompuServe IncorporatedColumbus, OhioConverted to HTML by Christophe TroncheLaboratoire de Recherche en InformatiqueCover Sheet for the GIF89a SpecificationDEFERRED CLEAR CODE IN LZW COMPRESSION There has been confusion about where clear codes can be found in the data stream. As the specification says, they may appear at anytime. There is not a requirement to send a clear code when the string table is full. It is the encoder's decision as to when the table should be cleared. When the table is full, the encoder can chose to use the table as is, making no changes to it until the encoder chooses to clear it. The encoder during this time sends out codes that are of the maximum Code Size. As we can see from the above, when the decoder's table is full, it must not change the table until a clear code is received. The Code Size is that of the maximum Code Size. Processing other than this is done normally. Because of a large base of decoders that do not handle the decompression in this manner, we ask developers of GIF encoding software to NOT implement this feature until at least January 1991 and later if they see that their particular market is not ready for it. This will give developers of GIF decoding software time to implement this feature and to get it into the hands of their clients before the decoders start "breaking" on the new GIF's. It is not required that encoders change their software to take advantage of the deferred clear code, but it is for decoders.APPLICATION EXTENSION BLOCK - APPLICATION IDENTIFIER There will be a Courtesy Directory file located on CompuServe in the PICS forum. This directory will contain Application Identifiers for Application Extension Blocks that have been used by developers of GIF applications. This file is intended to help keep developers that wish to create Application Extension Blocks from using the same Application Identifiers. This is not an official directory; it is for voluntary participation only and does not guarantee that someone will not use the same identifier. E-Mail can be sent to Larry Wood (forum manager of PICS) indicating the request for inclusion in this file with an identifier.CompuServe IncorporatedGraphics Interchange FormatDocument Date : 31 July 1990Programming Reference Table of Contents Disclaimer Foreword Licensing About the Document General Description Version Numbers The Encoder The Decoder Compliance About Recommendations About Color Tables Blocks, Extensions and Scope Block Sizes Using GIF as an embedded protocol Data Sub-blocks Block Terminator Header Logical Screen Descriptor Global Color Table Image Descriptor Local Color Table Table Based Image Data Graphic Control Extension Comment Extension Plain Text Extension Application Extension TrailerAppendix A.Quick Reference TableAppendix B.GIF GrammarAppendix C.GlossaryAppendix D.ConventionsAppendix E.Interlaced ImagesAppendix F.Variable-Length-Code LZW CompressionAppendix G.On-line Capabilities Dialogue1. Disclaimer.The information provided herein is subject to change without notice. In noevent will CompuServe Incorporated be liable for damages, including any loss ofrevenue, loss of profits or other incidental or consequential damages arisingout of the use or inability to use the information; CompuServe Incorporatedmakes no claim as to the suitability of the information.2. Foreword.This document defines the Graphics Interchange Format(sm). The specificationgiven here defines version 89a, which is an extension of version 87a.The Graphics Interchange Format(sm) as specified here should be consideredcomplete; any deviation from it should be considered invalid, including but notlimited to, the use of reserved or undefined fields within control or datablocks, the inclusion of extraneous data within or between blocks, the use ofmethods or algorithms not specifically listed as part of the format, etc. Ingeneral, any and all deviations, extensions or modifications not specified inthis document should be considered to be in violation of the format and shouldbe avoided.3. Licensing.The Graphics Interchange Format is the copyright property of CompuServe Incorporated. Only CompuServe Incorporated is authorized to define, redefine,enhance, alter, modify or change in any way the definition of the format.CompuServe Incorporated hereby grants a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-freelicense for the use of the Graphics Interchange Format(sm) in computersoftware; computer software utilizing GIF(sm) must acknowledge ownership of theGraphics Interchange Format and its Service Mark by CompuServe Incorporated, inUser and Technical Documentation. Computer software utilizing GIF, which isdistributed or may be distributed without User or Technical Documentation mustdisplay to the screen or printer a message acknowledging ownership of theGraphics Interchange Format and the Service Mark by CompuServe Incorporated; inthis case, the acknowledgement may be displayed in an opening screen or leadingbanner, or a closing screen or trailing banner. A message such as the followingmay be used: "The Graphics Interchange Format(c) is the Copyright property of CompuServe Incorporated. GIF(sm) is a Service Mark property of CompuServe Incorporated."For further information, please contact : CompuServe Incorporated Graphics Technology Department 5000 Arlington Center Boulevard Columbus, Ohio 43220 U. S. A.CompuServe Incorporated maintains a mailing list with all those individuals andorganizations who wish to receive copies of this document when it is correctedor revised. This service is offered free of charge; please provide us with yourmailing address.4. About the Document.This document describes in detail the definition of the Graphics InterchangeFormat. This document is intended as a programming reference; it isrecommended that the entire document be read carefully before programming,because of the interdependence of the various parts. There is an individualsection for each of the Format blocks. Within each section, the sub-sectionlabeled Required Version refers to the version number that an encoder will haveto use if the corresponding block is used in the Data Stream. Within eachsection, a diagram describes the individual fields in the block; the diagramsare drawn vertically; top bytes in the diagram appear first in the Data Stream.Bits within a byte are drawn most significant on the left end. Multi-bytenumeric fields are ordered Least Significant Byte first. Numeric constants arerepresented as Hexadecimal numbers, preceded by "0x". Bit fields within a byteare described in order from most significant bits to least significant bits.5. General Description.The Graphics Interchange Format(sm) defines a protocol intended for the on-linetransmission and interchange of raster graphic data in a way that isindependent of the hardware used in their creation or display.The Graphics Interchange Format is defined in terms of blocks and sub-blockswhich contain relevant parameters and data used in the reproduction of agraphic. A GIF Data Stream is a sequence of protocol blocks and sub-blocksrepresenting a collection of graphics. In general, the graphics in a DataStream are assumed to be related to some degree, and to share some controlinformation; it is recommended that encoders attempt to group together relatedgraphics in order to minimize hardware changes during processing and tominimize control information overhead. For the same reason, unrelated graphicsor graphics which require resetting hardware parameters should be encodedseparately to the extent possible.A Data Stream may originate locally, as when read from a file, or it mayoriginate remotely, as when transmitted over a data communications line. TheFormat is defined with the assumption that an error-free Transport LevelProtocol is used for communications; the Format makes no provisions forerror-detection and error-correction.The GIF Data Stream must be interpreted in context, that is, the applicationprogram must rely on information external to the Data Stream to invoke thedecoder process.6. Version Numbers.The version number in the Header of a Data Stream is intended to identify theminimum set of capabilities required of a decoder in order to fully process theData Stream. An encoder should use the earliest possible version number thatincludes all the blocks used in the Data Stream. Within each block section inthis document, there is an entry labeled Required Version which specifies theearliest version number that includes the corresponding block. The encodershould make every attempt to use the earliest version number covering all theblocks in the Data Stream; the unnecessary use of later version numbers willhinder processing by some decoders.7. The Encoder.The Encoder is the program used to create a GIF Data Stream. From raster dataand other information, the encoder produces the necessary control and datablocks needed for reproducing the original graphics.The encoder has the following primary responsibilities. Include in the Data Stream all the necessary information toreproduce the graphics. Insure that a Data Stream is labeled with the earliest possibleVersion Number that will cover the definition of all the blocks init; this is to ensure that the largest number of decoders canprocess the Data Stream. Ensure encoding of the graphics in such a way that the decodingprocess is optimized. Avoid redundant information as much aspossible. To the extent possible, avoid grouping graphics which mightrequire resetting hardware parameters during the decoding process. Set to zero (off) each of the bits of each and every fielddesignated as reserved. Note that some fields in the Logical Screen Descriptor and the Image Descriptor were reserved under Version87a, but are used under version 89a.8. The Decoder.The Decoder is the program used to process a GIF Data Stream. It processes theData Stream sequentially, parsing the various blocks and sub-blocks, using thecontrol information to set hardware and process parameters and interpreting thedata to render the graphics.The decoder has the following primary responsibilities. Process each graphic in the Data Stream in sequence, withoutdelays other than those specified in the control information. Set its hardware parameters to fit, as closely as possible, thecontrol information contained in the Data Stream.9. Compliance.An encoder or a decoder is said to comply with a given version of the GraphicsInterchange Format if and only if it fully conforms with and correctlyimplements the definition of the standard associated with that version. Anencoder or a decoder may be compliant with a given version number and notcompliant with some subsequent version.10. About Recommendations.Each block section in this document contains an entry labeled Recommendation;this section lists a set of recommendations intended to guide and organize theuse of the particular blocks. Such recommendations are geared towards makingthe functions of encoders and decoders more efficient, as well as makingoptimal use of the communications bandwidth. It is advised that theserecommendations be followed.11. About Color Tables.The GIF format utilizes color tables to render raster-based graphics. A colortable can have one of two different scopes: global or local. A Global ColorTable is used by all those graphics in the Data Stream which do not have aLocal Color Table associated with them. The scope of the Global Color Table isthe entire Data Stream. A Loc