GIF

GIF is a bitmap-based format designed for use on the web. It is highly compressed to minimize file transfer time and supports images with up to 256 colors. The GIF file format supports a maximum image size of 30,000 × 30,000 pixels and uses LZW compression.

The GIF format provides the ability to store multiple bitmaps in a file. When the multiple images are displayed in rapid succession, the file is called an animated GIF file. For more information, see Save movies.

GIF images with transparent backgrounds are commonly used on the web. For more information, see Create palette-based images with transparent colors and backgrounds.

For Internet use, you can also save images to the JPEG and PNG formats. If you want to publish an image to the Web and are not sure which format to use, see Choosing a web-compatible file format.

To import a GIF file

1 .	Click File Import.

The File Import command lets you place the file as an object in the active image. If you want to open a GIF file as an image, click File Open.

To open an animated GIF file

1 .	Click File Open.

For more information about opening and playing movies, see Open and play movies.

You can also open part of a movie by choosing Partial load, and, in the Partial load movie dialog box, typing values in the From and To boxes to specify the range of frames.

GIF technical notes

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