GIF Files

The Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) is a standard and recognized file format used in online and Web applications. GIF files can either be in grayscale or RGB color spaces. This works to keep the GIF files used very small and quickly accepted in an HTML Web page.

GIF files are created by using a limited color gamut that supports transparency. Transparency is the GIF file formatês strong point. Using this attribute of the file format increases its appeal to Web designers. To further the uses of the file, a pseudo animation can be created by using an animation feature found in flipbook style cartoons. This –flipping” of images can be used to create the illusion of true animation.

GIF files can only store and display 256 colors in the RGB or indexed color gamut. In addition, the GIF file can be "interlaced", where as every other row of information can be displayed at one time. As soon as that initial row of information is received, the next rows of data are downloaded. These attributes make GIF files unsuitable for use in a print production workflow, but highly desirable in a Web design situation.