GIF files

[mmreed]

Is there a way to use transparent GIF images in Koolmoves?

[Bob Hartzell]

Not at this time. Import as jpeg, bmp, tif, etc. and create a mask matching the outside boundary.

[johnie]

Until 2002 or 2003 (I forgett which) the compresion on the GIF frormat, Known as LZW, is Owned by Unisys via a Patent. In Order to make GIF, and some lawyers would argue to even read it, that the software developers would have to pay a Liscensing Fee to Unisys. In countries , Like the US, where Patents are allowed on software it is ilegal to make or read Gifs without paying the Unisys Fee. In countries that do not allow Patents, but rather copyright only, on Software like; the Neitherlands, China, and Poland, the it is legal to make Gifs without paying the Unisys fee.

Unisys also threatened to sue Webmasters for placing Gifs created with Unliscenced Gif creation software, in paticular the GIMP software, if they did not pay a $5000 Fee to Unisys.

PNG and MNG was developed to replace the GIF format however Microsoft IE does not support MNG, and it is the only browser that does not, and does not corectly support PNG. In adition all Microsoft Products Export as GIF becuase of Partnering Deal that Microsoft made with Unisys.

PNG is a much better format than GIF and MNG is much better than Animated GIF. I would suggest using PNG instead of GIF in the first place.

As Bob said the Background for all Graphics do not have transpancy yet on Import since they are all converted to JPEG on Import.

[Bob Hartzell]

If it is 2002 it is not long to wait.

[johnie]

If you are interested this is a list of GIF to PNG and MNG conversion apps http://burnallgifs.org/#software