Quick links to procedures on this page:

 
 
 

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 Saving movies.

GIF images with transparent backgrounds are commonly used on the Web. For more information, see Creating 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 Back to Top
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.
2.
 
Locate the folder in which the file is stored.
3.
 
Do one of the following:
(Windows 7 and Windows Vista) Choose GIF - CompuServe Bitmap (*.gif) from the list box next to the File name box.
(Windows XP) Choose GIF - CompuServe Bitmap from the Files of type list box.
4.
 
Click the filename.
5.
 
Click Import.
6.
 
Click the image window.

You can also
 
Resample a graphic while importing
For more information, see To resample an image while importing.
Crop a graphic while importing
For more information, see To crop an image while importing.

To open an animated GIF file Back to Top
1.
 
Click File Open.
2.
 
Locate the folder in which the file is stored.
3.
 
Do one of the following:
(Windows 7 and Windows Vista) Choose GIF - GIF animation (*.gif) from the list box next to the File name box.
(Windows XP) Choose GIF - GIF animation from the Files of type list box.
4.
 
Click the filename.
5.
 
Choose Full image from the list box below the list window.
6.
 
Click Open.
For more information about opening and playing movies, see Opening and playing 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 Back to Top
 
Corel programs import versions 87A and 89A of the GIF file format, but export only to version 89A. Version 87A supports basic features and interlacing. The newer version, 89A, includes all features found in 87A plus the ability to use transparent colors and to include comments and other data from the image file.
 
Corel programs support the following color depths when importing animated GIF files: black and white (1-bit), 16 colors, grayscale (8-bit), and 256 color paletted (8- bit).

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