Difference between revisions of "GIF"
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Due to the fact that it is an [[Indexed Image|Indexed]] format, it can only hold 256 colors without varying transparency. Because of this indexed format, the GIF may be smaller in size depending on how many colors are in the palette, and sometimes is even smaller than the highly compressed [[JPG]] format. | Due to the fact that it is an [[Indexed Image|Indexed]] format, it can only hold 256 colors without varying transparency. Because of this indexed format, the GIF may be smaller in size depending on how many colors are in the palette, and sometimes is even smaller than the highly compressed [[JPG]] format. | ||
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| + | GIF is unreliable as a working format, as only images using 255 or 256 colors (the former if transparency is not used) will not suffer loss of information. Furthermore, some image-editing programs may force used colors to a built-in palette, irreversibly altering the original colors. | ||
[[Category:Image Formats]] | [[Category:Image Formats]] | ||
Revision as of 22:24, 2 October 2009
| GIF | |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .gif |
| Compression | LZW, Somewhat high compression, indexed quality limits image to 256 colors without an alpha transparency |
| Max bit depth | 8 |
| Suitable working format | If source image is 256 colors or less without alpha transparency |
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a common format found on the internet, due to its ability to display animations. It is slowly being replaced by PNG and APNG, the latter supporting more colors, alpha transparency, and usually smaller file sizes; however, GIF remains in use when animations are needed, but even here it is starting to be replaced with SWF.
Due to the fact that it is an Indexed format, it can only hold 256 colors without varying transparency. Because of this indexed format, the GIF may be smaller in size depending on how many colors are in the palette, and sometimes is even smaller than the highly compressed JPG format.
GIF is unreliable as a working format, as only images using 255 or 256 colors (the former if transparency is not used) will not suffer loss of information. Furthermore, some image-editing programs may force used colors to a built-in palette, irreversibly altering the original colors.
