Microsoft GIF Animator A GIF Animator from Microsoft Forrest Stroud
Microsoft GIF Animator is the latest client designed to facilitate the process of creating multi-frame moving images. These graphics, better known as animated GIFs, can be used on Web sites to spice up pages and present information in ways previously not possible on the Web. Because of the success and extensive collection of features found in both Ulead GIF Animator and GIF Construction Set, Microsoft enters the competition with significant ground to cover.
The initial release of Microsoft GIF Animator was a standalone application designed to work on both Windows 95 and NT 4.0 platforms. The client has since been packaged with the companion program, Microsoft Image Composer, which is also only available for Windows 95/NT. Both standard GIFs and AVI files can be imported for use with MS GIF Animator, or you can use the clipboard to transfer other files into the program (including BMPs, JPEGs, TGAs, and the like).
Actually creating an animated GIF is quite easy with MS GIF Animator, although both Ulead and GIF Construction Set offer superior features in this area. Additionally, MS GIF Animator lacks GIF Construction Set's animation wizard, LED sign creation, and Wide Palette GIF support. It also lacks Ulead GIF Animator's overall ease of use, modeless user interface (which allows you to view all parameters at the same time, including inline previewing of animated graphics), and layer merging (which creates a new single layer from multiple selected image layers).
Finally, Microsoft GIF Animator lacks both clients' support for image transitions, banner text creation, animated image exporting, and GIF interlacing options. For these reasons, while Microsoft GIF Animator definitely has its strong points, most users will find both Ulead GIF Animator and GIF Construction Set to be better clients for creating animated GIFs.
Pros: Good selection of image enhancement tools for creating animated GIFs, intuitive interface
Cons: Only works with GIFs, lacks features in GIF Construction Set and Ulead GIF Animator
