GIF File Format

1. The PNG format was developed as a replacement for GIF. However, while the PNG format is increasingly popular, it has not really replaced GIF which is still widely used.
   
   
2. Some software developers tried to devise methods of encoding GIFs which would not infringe on the Unisys patent (see, for example, DaubNET: File Formats Collection: GIF):
   
   
   • The alternative encoding methods, result in larger file sizes as they are not as well compressed as LZW.
     
     
   • Files encoded (saved) using the alternative encoding methods, can be read by any GIF reading software.
     
     
   • As far as I know, it was not possible to write software able to decode all GIF files, without stepping into the territory covered by the Unisys patent.

• We are not lawyers. This web site is not intended as legal advice, and should not be construed as such. Please consult an attorney should you require legal advice on copyrights, patents or any other matter.
  
  
• GIF and 'Graphics Interchange Format' are trademarks of CompuServe Inc..
  
  
• Unisys held patents on the LZW compression scheme, which according to The GIF Controversy: A Software Developer's Perspective these patents expired as of 20 June 2004.

• How To Make Web Animations With A Photo Background
  
  
• Recommended Web Publishing File Formats

• Graphics File Formats

  By David C. Kay McGraw-Hill Companies Paperback (496 pages) Product Description: For software developers, systems managers, and computer hobbyists, this book will help bring a welcome sense of order to the chaotic world of graphics file format. David Kay and John Levine have compiled detailed specifications for 30 popular graphics file formats, so readers can more quickly and easily decide which standards are best for their applications. List Price: $29.95 Lowest New Price: $19.96 Lowest Used Price: $0.26 (As of 21:03 Pacific 9 Jul 2009 More Info) Buy It Now

  
  
  
• Internet File Formats: Your Complete Resource for Sending, Receiving, and Using Internet Files

  By Tim Kientzle Coriolis Group Books Paperback (416 pages) Product Description: Provides a detailed file format dictionary to help you understand most of the major file formats found on the Internet. Comes with a CD-ROM jam-packed with programs and tools to help you work with the files you come across on the Internet. Includes player programs to use files you download from the Internet. Contains compression and decompression utilities, and utilities to help you convert files from one format to another. Offers the tools to help you create HTML files and publish on the Web, and efficiently transfer your files. Helps you to read, write, convert, and use most of the major file types encountered on the Internet. List Price: $39.99 Lowest New Price: $1.99 Lowest Used Price: $0.01 (As of 20:52 Pacific 9 Jul 2009 More Info) Buy It Now

  
  
  
• Compressed Image File Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, XBM, BMP (ACM Press)

  By John Miano Addison-Wesley Professional Paperback (288 pages) Product Description: Examines the most common graphics file formats in detail and demonstrates how to encode and decode image files for each. Offers in-depth coverage of the elaborate JPEG and newer PNG formats, providing clear explanations of complex concepts, experience-based practical techniques, and code examples. Softcover. CD-ROM included. DLC: Image processing--Computer programs. List Price: $59.99 Lowest New Price: $31.99 Lowest Used Price: $3.85 Usually ships in 24 hours (As of 21:51 Pacific 9 Jul 2009 More Info) Buy It Now

  
  
  
• GIF Animation Studio (Web studio series)

  By Richard Koman O'Reilly Paperback (184 pages) Product Description: GIF animation is bringing the Web to life -- without plug-ins, Java programming, or expensive authoring tools. This book details the major GIF animation programs, profiles work by leading designers (including John Hersey, Razorfish, Henrik Drescher, and Erik Josowitz), and documents advanced animation techniques. A CD-ROM includes freeware and shareware authoring programs, demo versions of commercial software, and the actual animation files described in the book. List Price: $39.95 Lowest New Price: $28.88 Lowest Used Price: $0.19 (As of 21:51 Pacific 9 Jul 2009 More Info) Buy It Now

  
  
  
• The Gif Animator's Guide

  By Sandy Eddy Schnyder MIS-Press Paperback (322 pages) Product Description: With easy step-by-step instructions for desktop applications including Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop, this book will teach you how to create and edit GIF89a animations to enhance your Web site. Whether you are a beginner or experienced Web developer, it will answer your questions about creating and animating GIFs. The GIF Animator's Guide is designed both to be easy to use and to provide all the important information about creating good-looking graphics and animations using a variety of popular programs -- freeware, shareware, and commercial -- for both Windows and Mac computers. The book includes valuable information about animation, computer graphics, and GIF standards so that you can easily create animations for your Web page. You'll also learn how to optimize animations by using the 216-color palette, planning for transparency, offsetting images, and setting time delay. The CD bundled with The GIF Animator's Guide includes Microsoft GIF Animator, Paint Shop Pro, GIF Construction Set, GIFBuilder, Ulead GIF Animator, and save-disabled versions of Photoshop 4 and Illustrator 7. It also includes a large gallery of unique and copyright-free GIF animations that you can plug into your own Web pages. List Price: $39.95 Lowest New Price: $19.36 Lowest Used Price: $0.92 (As of 21:51 Pacific 9 Jul 2009 More Info) Buy It Now

• Artful GIF Animator
  Create from scratch, import from AVI, edit and optimize your animated GIF images to develop animations for web sites. Drag and drop JPEG, BMP, GIF, ICO and even AVI files into the program and then edit and preview frames on the fly - while you are editing a frame, it animates the resulting picture. Tune up the individual position and edit the color palette for each frame, optimize animated GIFs with five different color reduction methods.

• Clip Art Inc.
  This site has a large collection of royalty-free clip art and animations, including GIFs.
  
  
• Clipart.com
  Our subscription-based service provides access to more than 2.6 million clipart images, photos, fonts, and sounds.
  
  
• DaubNET: File Formats Collection: GIF
  Unofficial technical/programming information about this file format.
  
  
• The GIF Controversy: A Software Developer's Perspective
  
  
• The GIF file format
  A high-level overview of this format with particular emphasis on its use in the prepress/printing industries.