GIF Construction Set Add a Little Spice to GIF Images Forrest Stroud
Want to add a little spice to all those GIF images that you've spent hours upon hours of work on? If you're stuck with single frame, non-interlaced, non-transparent GIF images for your Web site, you definitely need to check out GIF Construction Set and see what you've been missing. This cool little program guides you through the process of adding new life and dimension to any standard GIF image.
Some of the cooler effects that can be generated are image transparency (so that the background of your graphic blends in with the background of your Web site), interlacing (allowing the graphic to become visible as it is being downloaded rather than appearing only after the graphic has been downloaded entirely), image transitions (ten different effects for changing the way your image fades in and out after being downloaded), and merging (combining multiple images into one). Additional new image features include scrolling banners (now with neon, backlight, and soft shadow options), LED sign creation tools, and wide palette GIF support (GIFs with more than 256 colors).
By far the most popular image effect offered by GIF Construction Set is animation, which allows you to create one graphic composed of multiple images. This single graphic, when viewed by a high-end Web browser (Netscape 2.0 and higher or Internet Explorer 3.0 and higher), will cycle through its collection of images, thereby creating an animation effect on your Web site. For an example of GIF animation, check out the 'RAM Upgrades' image on the What's New page with one of the browsers listed above.
Animated images, also known as multiple image GIFs, are larger than regular GIFs, but they do add another dimension to your images that could otherwise only be obtained by implementing a MPEG, AVI, or MOV multimedia video. Animated GIFs have a couple of advantages over each of these formats, including smaller file size (quicker download for your users) and inline viewing by Web browsers (no helper applications or plug-ins are needed to view animated GIFs).
In addition to its array of image manipulation tools, GIF Construction Set also offers extensive (and impressive) help for the program and its effects, including an Animation Wizard for taking you step-by-step through the process of designing animated GIFs, online documentation, and an accompanying 31-page novella with detailed instructions for each of GIF Construction Set's many features.
While GIF Construction Set does only work with GIF images, the tools and effects it offers for the most common graphics format on the 'net are unparalleled. Overall, GIF Construction Set is a great tool for enhancing GIF images and is quite a steal at only $25.
Pros: GIF image enhancement tools — animation, transitions, interlacing, transparency, and more
Cons: Only works with GIF images, lacks extensive image creation tools, somewhat outdated (no major updates in several years)
