Ulead GIF Animator features include inline video input support for AVI to animated GIF creation, an ultra cool (and extremely useful) animation optimization tool, extensive graphics file support (BMP, JPEG, TIFF, IMG, MAC, PCD, PCX, PSD, PICT, EPS, AIFF, and TGA as well as GIF), banner text creation capabilities, image transitions (ten different effects for changing the way your image fades in and out after being downloaded), image transparency (so that the background of your graphic blends in with the background of your Web site), image interlacing (allowing the graphic to become visible as it is being downloaded rather than appearing only after the graphic has been downloaded entirely), exporting (breaking multiple layers into individual single-frame GIFs), merging (combining multiple images into one), and more than twenty different built-in transition and filter plug-ins (GIF Animator supports Photoshop-compatible plug-ins as well).
Easy to Use
Additional features that help automate the process of creating new animated graphics include drag and drop image insertion (drag images directly into GIF Animator using Explorer or PhotoImpact's own management tools); a modeless user interface with tabbed work modes (Compose, Edit, Optimize, and Preview) that allows you to view all parameters at the same time, including inline previewing of animated graphics; complete palette control which can reduce the number of gratuitous colors and thereby reduce the file size of the graphic (construct a global palette or use a Netscape/Internet Explorer 'safe' palette); visual composition for quickly editing animations and inserting or deleting frames; layer merging (create a new single layer from multiple selected image layers); color animation effects; palette gradients; and a variety of useful step-by-step guides (including installation, animation, and optimization wizards).
