Copyright: © 1999 Ulead Systems, Inc.


This is the Ulead GIF Animator What's This context sensitive help.

GIF Animator is © 1999 Ulead Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.


Enter the desired dimensions (in pixels) for the overall animated GIF you are creating.


Check to automatically set the dimensions of the overall animated GIF to match those of the largest image you place into a layer. Clear to explicitly set the dimensions.


The total number of colors in the palette.


Click to open a dialog box allowing you to add, remove, or change colors in the palette.


Enter the index value for the color in the palette you wish to use as the background color. You may also use your mouse to pick the color from the palette by clicking the color square.


Click to select a different color from the palette. The square color shows the currently selected color.


Enter the number of times you want the animated GIF to cycle before it stops at the last frame. Check “Infinite” to loop the animation indefinitely.

Note: Some web browsers do not yet recognize explicitly defined looping. Animated GIFs shown in these browser repeat indefinitely.


Enter a title for the layer. This is what will appear in the layer pane for this object.


The dimensions (in pixels) of the image in the currently selected layer.


Enter the distance (in pixels) from the top left corner of the composite animated GIF where the top left corner for the current layer's image appears. (You can also adjust this by dragging the image in the image pane to the desired location.)


Check to define a palette for the current layer's image independently from that of the global palette.

Note: As a rule, this will increase file size and may affect how smoothly the animated GIF appears. Also by using multiple palettes, potions of your animated GIF may appear strange when displayed on systems with 256-color displays.


Check to enable the image layer to open gradually the first time it appears when the animated GIF is displayed. This may increase file size a little.

Note: Some web browsers do not yet recognize interlaced images in animated GIFs. Interlaced images shown in these browser appear the same as non-interlaced ones.


Check to make the current layer's image transparent. This enables the Transparent color entry box where you can specify the transparent color from the current palette.


Enter the index value for the color in the palette you wish to use as the transparent color. You may also click the color square to use your mouse to pick the color from the palette.

Note: For best results, this color should match that of the background.


Enter the length of time (in 1/100ths of a second) that you want the image to remain visible before showing the following layer.


Enter a comment you wish to include in the animated GIF. These commands will only be visible when the animated GIF file is opened in an editor.


These are the colors that currently exist in the palette. Click to select a particular color and its index.


The total number of index entries currently selected. Once selected, the colors for these indexes can be removed or replaced.


The index value for the color that is currently below the cursor.


The red, green, and blue color values for the color in the index below the cursor.


Click to save the current palette as a file for future use.


Click to use a previously saved palette to replace the current palette or selected indexes.


Click to remove the selected indexes from the palette. This reduces the total palette size.


The color for the currently selected index.


Change the red, green, and blue color values for the current index. The color square changes to reflect the current settings.


Click on the image where you want it to be transparent.


Increase the magnification of the image by one.


Reduce the magnification of the image by one.


Switch the magnification of the image to actual size.


Specify how GIF Animator creates the global palette for each new animated GIF file.


Check to use the color palette of the image in the first image layer as the palette for the animated GIF.


Check to choose a palette from a list of predefined settings for the animated GIF.


Check to restrict colors in reduced palettes to those that will not be dithered when shown in 256-color displays by Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.


Check to use a previously saved custom palette as the palette for the animated GIF.


Check to allow new colors to be added to a reduced global palette from images added in other layers.


Enter the maximum number of colors that a single image can add to the  global palette.


Check to remove header information from images in layers. This minimizes the total file size for your animated GIF, but may make it more difficult for you to identify which layer a particular image is on if you decide to re-edit an animated GIF after saving.


Define the standard properties to assign to all images placed in a layer. You can always change the properties for individual layers from the Image Properties Attribute toolbar.


Select the method for switching to the next image layer.

Web browser decides switches layers according the default method for the web browser used to show the animated GIF.

Do not remove places each layer on top of the previous layer.

To background color removes the image, replacing it with the background color.

To previous state removes the image, showing the previously shown layer.

Note: Some web browsers do not support certain removal settings. If you use a setting that a browser does not support, the default method for that browser is used.


Select a method for converting colors in images imported into GIF Animator to the global palette.


Select this option to have GIF Animator intelligentally dither the colors in the image layer(s). Dithering is the process whereby colors unable to fit into either the Global or Local palette are simulated by creating 'dithered' combinations of colors that do exist.


Choose the type of palette you wish to use for an inserted image;

Optimized palette Remaps the colors of newly inserted images to those of the Global Palette. If the global palette consists of fewer than 256 colors and the inserted image requires colors not in the palette, the Global palette will be modified to include the new colors.

Safe palette Remaps the colors of newly inserted images to those of the Global Palette. If the global palette consists of fewer than 256 colors and the inserted image requires colors not in the palette, the Global palette will be modified to include the new colors that will not be dithered in Netscape or Windows Internet Explorer.

Global palette Remaps the colors of newly inserted images to those of the Global Palette. If the image contains colors that are not in the Global Palette, they will be remapped to the closest matching colors regardless of the current Global Palette size.

Local palette each image layer uses its own unique palette based on the colors for that image.


Check to show the Color Remapping dialog box when adding a new image layer. This allows you to change the default palette conversion settings.


Check to automatically include a comment layer to the end of the animated GIF containing the information in the Content box.


Enter the text you wish to include as a standard layer in your animated GIF. To include this information, make sure to check the "Add personal comment block when saving file or optimizing" option.


Click the image(s) you wish to export from the list. Press the Ctrl key as you click to select multiple images. Press Shift to select a range.


Choose how to export the selected images

As a single file creates an animated GIF consisting of the selected image layers.

As a sequence of files creates several GIF images, each consisting of an  image from one of the layers.


Check to retain the current settings for the dialog box for all currently selected images.


Check to automatically use the current dialog box settings for all other image layers you add.


Click to add the image to the animated GIF with the current settings for remapping its color palette.


Click to refrain from adding the current image to a layer in the animated GIF and continue with the next selected image.


Check to show previews of the animated GIF as it would appear in browsers that support the interlaced display characteristics.


This is the uncorrected image currently selected to be placed as an image layer into GIF Animator.


This is a preview of how a copy of this image will be modified to appear in your finished animated GIF file. By changing and previewing the various color remapping options, you can find the best settings for the image without having to perform repeated saves.


Select all the items in the list for action.


Deselect all currently selected items.


Click to change the attributes of several image layers at one time. First check all the layers to change then click this button. You can change delay times, offsets, palette information, transparency, interlacing, and layer removal.


Check to change all image layers in the layer pane according to the dialog box selections.


Check to change only the image layers in the layer pane that are checked according to the dialog box selections.


Check to change only the layer that was selected when you called this dialog box according to the dialog box selections.


Enter how many copies (up to 9) of the image layers to make.


Enter the distance (in pixels) to shift the duplicated images to the right. (Negative values move the image to the left.)


Enter the distance (in pixels) to shift the duplicated images down. (Negative values move the image up.)


The current size of the selected layer.


The current position of the cursor in the dialog box preview window.


Drag the control points around the frame to change its size. Click inside the frame and drag to position it elsewhere in the image.


The current dimensions and location of the frame in the image.


Check to replace the current image layer with the changed image. Clear to add a new layer with the changed image to the end of the list.


Select a font for your banner text from this list.


Select a font size for your banner text from this list.


Press to make the banner text bold. Press again to remove the bold attribute.


Press to make the banner text italicized. Press again to return to a normal typeface.


Click to choose a color for your text.


Click to choose a background color for the text. Make sure to clear the Merge with background image option in this dialog box for this color to appear.


Enter the text you wish to place into the animated GIF here.


Check to merge the text with the image layer below. Clear to assign a colored background behind the text that appears over the image layers.


Check to add a shadow to the text. The color square next to this options shows the shadow color and the offset settings below the option show where the shadow appears.


Click to choose a color for the shadow.


Specify where the shadow appears. Positive numbers move the shadow to the right. Negative to the left.


Specify where the shadow appears. Positive numbers move the shadow down; negative up.


Choose how to align the text in its placeholder. Note: If the ‘Rolling’ option is used, then text alignment does not apply.


Check to enable the text to move over the animated GIF.


Select the direction for the text to follow across the animated GIF.


Select the starting / ending conditions for the text.

Blank The text is invisible and gradually changes to the end setting

Edge  Depending on the scroll settings, the text begins at an edge and scrolls towards the end setting.

Center The text placeholder is centered in the GIF frame.

Full The text grows to fill the GIF frame.


Specify the length of time (in hundredths of a second) for each layer of the banner to appear before the next on replaces it. This value, multiplied by the number of frames for the banner determines the total time for the animated banner.


Specify the number of frames to use for showing the banner. This setting, combined with the Cycle time, determines the number of image layers needed for the banner text and where to place them.


Check to add a border around the banner text placeholder. The color square next to this option shows the border color.


Click to choose a color.


Check to add a shadow around the banner border. The color box next to this option shows the shadow color.


Click to see a preview of the dialog box settings before accepting them.


Choose the type of transition you wish to apply to the animation. An example of how this transition progresses appears in the preview window.


Choose how well you wish the transition to appear in your animation. The higher the quality, the smoother the transition. However, the file size increases dramatically at higher quality settings. Choose custom to explicitly specify the number of frames to use for the transition.


Specify the time length (in seconds) for the transition.


Choose whether to use the current image layer or a color matte for the animated GIF as the starting point for the transition. If you choose Matte, the color square to the right becomes active and you can choose its color.


Choose whether to use the image layer below the current one or a color matte for the animated GIF as the ending point for the transition. If you choose Matte, the color square to the right becomes active and you can choose a different color.


Click to choose a matte color.


Specify the dimensions of the matte layer if you use one as a starting or ending point for a transition.


Click the colors you wish to cycle in the animated GIF. The selected colors will cycle in the order they appear in the palette.


Click to select colors for cycling. the corresponding index in the palette is highlighted by a red border when selected.


The total number of index entries selected to cycle in the animated GIF.


Check to change the order of colors shown from first-to-last  to last-to-first.


Check to prevent any color shifts in areas of the animated GIF that are supposed to be transparent.


Click to preview how the colors shift in the animation without accepting dialog box settings. Clear to stop the preview and return to the dialog box.


Select the image layers you wish to combine into a single layer. Press the Ctrl key as you select to select more than one layer. Press the Shift key to select a range.


This is how the merged image will look.


Check to replace all selected layers with the changed image. Clear to add an image layer to the end of the list with the newly created image.


Click to replace the selected indices with a range of colors so that when shown sequentially produces a gradual shift in the image. The colors in these cells will be particularly useful with the Add Color Animation command in the Layer menu.


Check to shift the horizontal position of several image layers according to how the location of the current layer changed.


Check to shift the vertical location of multiple image layers according to how the position of the current layer changed.


Check to change the palettes of multiple image layers according to the changes to the current image layer’s palette.


Check to change the interlaced settings of multiple layers according to changes made to the current image layer.


Check to change the transparency attributes of multiple image layers according to changes to the current image layer.


Check to change the delay times for multiple image layers according to changes made to the current layer.


Check to change the method of removal for multiple image layers according to changes to the current layer.


Click to increase the number of color index entries for the palette. The Add Index dialog box opens where you may specify the number of indices to add. Once added, you may customize the colors for the added indices. (Only available if the total number of color indices is less than 256.)


Enter the width, in pixels, for the border around the banner text frame.


Check this if you know that your animated GIF will be shown in browsers that support the "To previous state" layer removal method. This will keep your file size down. Clear this option if there is a possibility of the animated GIF being shown in browsers that do not support the "To previous state" layer removal method.


Select a color to fill in the empty spaces created during a transition from one image to another.


Specify the number of frames you want the effect to occur over (minimum of 3, maximum of 30). Each frame adds one image layer to your animation. The higher the frame count the higher the quality of the transition.


Specify how long you want each frame to remain on the screen before being removed and replaced with a new one. The higher the duration of the frames, the longer the transition takes.


Define the “depth” of the cube as it rotates. The higher the value the more the image appears to protrude toward the viewer.


Define the strength of the light and shadow on each cube face as it rotates. The higher the value, the more extreme the differences between the two are.


If checked, GIF Animator gives each new cube effect image layer its own local palette to make the transition from frame to frame smoother.


Click to choose a matte color.


Choose whether to use the current image layer or a color matte for the animated GIF as the starting face of the cube effect. If you choose Matte, the color square to the right becomes active and you can choose its color.


Choose whether to use the image layer below the current one or a color matte for the animated GIF as the destination face for the cube effect. If you choose Matte, the color square to the right becomes active and you can choose a different color.


Select the direction you want the rotation of the cube to take.


Check to change only the currently selected image layer.


Specify the maximum number of colors to import from the first image layer while building the Global Palette.


Check this option to enable the Startup Wizard dialog box each time GIF Animator is opened.


Specify the duration each image layer is displayed by entering a frame rate. The frame rate measures how many frames, or image layers, per second are displayed as the animation plays.


Check this option to run the Optimization Wizard each time you save an animation file.


Check this option to bypass the Optimization Wizard each time you save an animation file, but to allow GIF Animator to optimize the file regardless based on the optimization presets.


Check this option to allow GIF Animator to see if your animation file is compatible with all browser types as well as whether it's optimized to the maximum extant.


Enter the number of levels of Undo you wish GIF Animator to keep, up to a maximum of 200.


Pencil allows you to draw lines a single pixel wide. Right click to use the background color, left click to use the foreground color.


Box allows you to draw filled boxes. Right click to use the background color, left click to use the foreground color.


Bucket allows you to replace a single color area with a new color. Right click to use the background color, left click to use the foreground color.


Eyedropper allows you to select a color from the image. Right click to use the background color, left click to use the foreground color.


Click to undo up to 200 previous actions. The undone actions 'remembered' here are independent of the undone actions in the main window.


Click to redo previously undone actions.


Click to zoom in on the image.


Click to zoom out on the image.


Click to return to the actual view of the image.


Click to open the Edit Palette dialog box where you can edit the image layer's palette.


Allows you to sort the colors in the palette by the method you specify.


Click to preview the animation in the selected browser.


Select a browser to preview the animation in.


Click to add a new web browser to the list of available ones.


Click to close the Preview in Browser dialog box.


Click to apply your changes without closing the Pixel editor.


Allows you to edit the command line of any applications you have added to the Preview in browser dialog box.


Deletes any programs you have added to the Preview in browser dialog box.


Right click to remove pixels and replace them with the foreground color; left click to remove pixels and replace them with the background color.


Credits
Credits:

Online Help: Chris Jones

Program: Steve Wang


Background

Select one layer to be the background of the merged animation.


X Offset

Enter the distance from the top left corner of the selected background image where the top left corner of the imported animation file appears. This distance is measured in pixels along the X- axis.


Y Offset

Enter the distance from the top left corner of the selected background image where the top left corner of the imported animation file appears. This distance is measured in pixels along the Y- axis


Imported Image File

Click the button to open the Browse dialog box for selecting the imported animation file to be merged.


Frames Use Current

Applies the numbers of frames which of the opened animation on the merged animation file. (Number is indicated aside from the option.)


Frames Use Imported

Check to apply the number of frames which of the importing animation file. (Number is indicated aside from the option.)


Frames Custom

Enter your expected number of frames for the new animation file in the box. (Ranges between 4 and 40.)


Don't Optimize

Select the this option save this animated GIF file without reducing the file size.


Removing All Layer Titles

Select to reduce the animated GIF file size of the animation can be reduced by dropping  the image layers’ title information when the animation is saved.


Optimize with Preset

Applies the default settings you last selected in the Optimization Wizard to the current animation.


Use Preset

Click the drop down list to select the settings to apply on the current animation file.


Use Optimize Preset

Click the drop down list to select the Optimization preset settings to apply on the current animation file.


Use Optimization Palette

Choose the Palette you will be applying during optimization process.  You can either create a Global optimized palette or Preserve the local palette for each layer.


Number of Colors

Enter the number of colors to be applied on Global Palette.


Preserve Local Palette

Click to preserve its own palette of colors for each image layer.


Remove Unused Colors in Local Palette

Removes the unused colors in local palette during the process of optimization, it help to reduce the size of your animation file.


Dither Frames

Select this option to keep your copied images as close as possible to the original one.


Remove Redundant Pixels

Removes the excessive and unnecessary pixels in images during the process of optimization, it also helps to reduce the size of your animation file.


Remove Comment Block

Removes the comment layer in the Layer Pane.


Remove Layer Title

The file size of the animation also can be reduced by choosing this option to eliminate the image layers' title information during the process of optimization.


Median Cut Engine

Generates a master palette containing all the most commonly used colors sampled from each image layer. This removes redundancies and merges similar colors in order to produce a highly compact animation file. But the quality will be poor compared to the one before optimization process.


Minimum Variance Engine

Generates a master color palette by choosing the color which occupies the biggest portion in an image layer. The quality of the image remains almost the same, but the file size after optimization will not be reduced by as much as optimizing with the Median Cut engine.


Use Palette

Offers you three options to choose how you want to build up your Global Palette: Optimize, Browser Save and User defined.


User Defined Palette

The Open dialog box will be automatically opened if User defined is selected, choose of the pre-defined color palettes which is saved in the local folders.   (The file format is: *.pal)


Palette Browse button

Click the button to select a color palette file. (The file format is: *.pal)


Optimize Now Button

Click the button to start running the optimization process after you are satisfied with the settings in the Optimizer tab.


Before Download Time

Displays the download time before the animation file is optimized (In Minutes and Seconds.).


Before File Size

Displays the file size before the animation file is optimized (In Bytes).


After File Size

Displays the file size after the optimization process is completed (In Bytes).


After Download Time

Displays the download time after the optimization process is completed. (In Minutes and Seconds.)


Saving Download Time

Displays you the calcualated the dowload time it saves for your after the optimization process.


Saving File Size

Displays you the calcualated the file size it saves for your after the optimization process.


Modem Speed

Choose a connection speed which calculates download time. The average connection speed in the United States is 28.8Kbps.


Number of Files

Displays the numbers of files you have selected for batch process.


Select Files

Click to open the Select File dialog box to select the animations files for batch process.


Select File List

Lists all the animations files you have selected for batch process.


By folder

Allows you import all of the animation files in a specified folder for batch process.


Folder Path

Indicates the path of animation file folder that you selected.


Folder Browse

Click to open Browse for Folder dialog box to select a folder which contains animation files.


Include Subfolders

Click to conclude the animations files which are saved in subfolders.


By files

Allows you to select the animation files in different folders for batch process.


Create New Files

Creates new animation files after the batch optimization process.


Create New File Folder

Specifies the destination folder path for new generated animation files.


Create New File Browse

Displays the path of folder which contains the new animations files.


Delete Original Files

Deletes the source of animation files after the new ones have been processed.


Optimization Preset

Click the drop down list to select a preset for batch optimization process.


Add Custom Comment Block

Check this option to enter the common content of comment layer for all animations files.


Add

Opens dialog box to add new files to batch file list.


Remove

Removes the selected file from the batch file list.


Remove All

Removes all the files from the file list.


Load File Set

Opens file dialog box to load a saved file set and list out all the GIF files which are included. Then you may re-arrange the set by adding more or removing GIF files.


Save File Set

Allows you to save the selected GIF files by batch in Ulead Gif Animator File Set Format - *.uaf. This file set can be used again by clicking the Load button.


IE Path

Displays the path of your default browser - Internet Explorer in your local.


IE Browser Button

Click to look for Internet Explorer executable file (iexplore.exe) as your default browser.


Auto-Detect Browser

By clicking this option GIF Animator will automatically locate the *.exe files of the two default browsers: Internet Explorer and Nescape Navigator for you.  Save your work in finding them in local folders.


NN Path

Displays the path of your default browser - Netscape Navigator in your local.


NN Browser Button

Click to look for Netscape Navigator executable file (netscape.exe) as your default browser.


Custom Browser Path

Displays the path of your selected browser in your local.


Custom Browser Button

Click to select any other browser than the above two defaults for displaying your animation file.


Preset List

Lists all of the GIF animation optimization presets for you to choose from.


Move Top

Moves the optimization preset to top.


Move Up

Moves the selected optimization preset up.


Move Down

Moves the selected optimization preset down.


Move bottom

Moves the selected optimization preset to bottom.


Set Selection as Default

Sets the preset you chose from the list as default.  It will be applid whenever you optimize an GIF animation file.


Current Selected Preset Name

Displays the optimization preset name after you select it as default.


Use Settings on Optimize Tab

Ignores the preset you choose from the list and applies the previously selected one in the Optimizer Tab.


Modem Speed

The modem speed used for calculating the download time is 56Kbps.


Add URL

Allows you to enter a Web site link or e-mail address for animation file on HTML document.


Prompt Dialog Box

The "Add URL" dialog box will be opened whenever you go to Edit, copying HTML Code if you select this option. It allows you to insert URL link for your exported HTML document.


Custom Default URL

Select this option if you want to customize your own default URL link for all of your HTML files.


URL

Allows to add prefix: "http://" for URL links and "mailto:" for e-mail addresses.


Target

Specifies the window in which all linked documents should open. There are four types of windows options. Choose one of the following window names:

_blank loads the linked document in a new, unnamed browser window.

_parent loads the linked document in the parent frameset or window of the frame in which the link is contained. If the frame containing the link is not nested, then the linked document loads into the full browser window.

_self loads the linked document in the same frame or window as the link. This target is implied, so you usually don't have to specify it.

_top loads the linked document in the full browser window, thereby removing all frames.


URL Border

Check to add a two-dimensional border around your animations on an HTML document.


URL Border Edit Box

Lets you define the width of the border in pixels.


Use Default Alternate Text

Offers different options to display the hint of animation information or comment when mouse gets over it on an HTML document.


Image Name Only

Displays only the file name of the animation.


Image and File Size

Displays the file name and size of the animation.


First Comment Block

Applies information or message which you entered in the comment block for your animation file.  And only the first one if you have more than one comment.


Custom Default Text

Click to enter whatever information for specifying your animation.


Custom Default Edit Box

Offers the space to enter the information for specifying your animation.


Number of Onion Skin Layers

On Editor Mode, click on the Onion Skin button, it enables you to see the previous layers of images while you are editing an animation. These layers are lightly transparent for you to see through the other ones. For the convenience of editing animating images, set the number of Onion Skin layers as many as you need. Ranges between 1 to 100 layers.


Transparency of Onion Skin Layer

Defines the level of transparency for the Onion Skin layers.  Ranges between 1 to 99. The higher the value is, the more transparent the layers are. If you set up to 99, you will not be able to see the previous layer completely.


Quality Normal

Sets the text animation to the normal quality by generating 20 frames.


Quality Fine

Sets the text animation to good quality by generating 30 frames.


Quality Super-fine

Sets the text animation to the best quality by generating 40 frames.


Remove Redundant Frame Rolling Control

Click to remove the unnecessary frames for the animation banner text before it is inserted into your animation file.  This will help you to reduce the size your animation file. As once you add text banner, it dramatically increase your file size.


Direction

Defines the direction that your neon glows to on the text: Inside, Outside or Both sides.


Width

Sets the width for the neon of your banner text.


Color

Choose a color for the neon of your banner text in Windows Color Picker.


Fill Type: Down

Select the direction to fill the text with gradually changing colors starting from the top of the text and extending along a straight line to the bottom point.


 Fill Type: Right

Select the direction to fill the text with gradually changing colors starting from the left side of the text and extending along a straight line to the right.


Fill Type: Right Down

Select the direction to fill the text with gradually changing colors starting from the upper left side of the text and extending along a straight line to the bottom right.


Fill Type: Rectangular

Fills the object with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending outward to the corners in a rectangular shape. If the outer edge of the fill occurs before the edge of the object being filled, the remaining area is filled with the end color.


Fill Colors: From

Two color Applies a gradient fill between 2 selected colors. Click the color squares to select the start color for the fill. Click Transpose  bar to switch the start and end colors.


Fill Colors: To

Applies a gradient fill between 2 selected colors. Click the color squares to select the end color for the fill. Click Transpose bar to switch the start and end colors.


Fill Colors: Switch

Click to switch the direction of the two colors in the gradient.


Color Mode

Determines how the colors change in a gradient fill. There are three different modes:

RGB Follows the colors found in a straight line connecting the start and end colors in the RGB cube.

HSB Clockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going clockwise around the HSB cone from the start to end color.

HSB Counterclockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going counterclockwise around the HSB cone from the end to start color.


Text List

Lists all of the text added for Marquee animation


Move Top

Moves the selected text to top of the list.


Move Buttom

Moves the selected text to bottom of the list.


Move Up

Moves the selected text up.


Move Down

Moves the selected text down.


Add Text

Adds another text for creating a Marquee animation banner.


Remove Text

Removes the selected text from the animation text list.


Banner Setting

This dialog box contains two sets of settings. One is Rolling Control: allows you to define many settings. Including how you want the banner text to move across the animation screen, the output qualitg and delay time of the animation. Another set of settings controls the border, shadow and background color.


Fill with Background Color

Click to choose a background color for the text. Make sure to clear the Merge with background image option in this dialog box for this color to appear.  Otherwise you text will be blended with your image.


Background Color Cell

Click to choose a color for your background.


Quality

The number of frames plays an important role in an animation. The more frames your animation file contains, the smoother your text banner plays. In another word, the number of frames controls the quality of an animation.

There are six options available to control your quality of animation files:

Best generates 40 frames for your text animation, which creates the best quality.

Good generates 30 frames,

Normal generates 20 frames,

Fair generates 10 frames,

Worst generates 5 frames only and at last, Customize allows you to generate as many frames as you want.


Frames

Enter the number of frames if you select Customize in Quality box. The number of frames will be in grey when other options selected.


Delay Time

Sets the length of time (in 1/100ths of a second) that you want the image to remain visible before showing the next layer. The default setting can be defined in Image Layer Preferences.


Key Frame Delay

Specifies the length of time (in 1/100ths of a second) that you want to hold the next batch of layers for playing another set of effect.


Text List (Animation Banner DB)

Lists all of the text you have added for the animation banner.


Move Top

Moves the selected text to top of the list.


Move Buttom

Moves the selected text to bottom of the list.


Move Up

Moves the selected text up.


Move Down

Moves the selected text down.


Add Text

Adds another text for creating an animation banner.


Remove Text

Removes the selected text from the list.


Animation Banner Setting Button

This dialog box offers two sets of settings. One is Rolling Control: allows you to define many settings.  Including how you want the banner text to move across the animation screen, the output qualitg and delay time of the animation. Another set of settings controls the border, shadow and background color.


Move In Effect

Select one of the effects from the list to define how you want the banner text to move into the animation screen.


Move Out Effect

Select one of the effects from the list to define how you want the banner text to move out of the animation screen.


Optimization Wizard

Click to trigger the Optimization Wizard and follow the instructions in the dialog box to define the criterias of optimization process for your animation file.


Save Preset

Click to save the optimization preset which is created in advanced mode.


Preset Name

Enter the name for your new created preset into the space provided.


Set as Default

Check to define the customized preset as default preset for applying on optimizing all your animation files.


Delete Preset

Deletes optimization preset which is not in use anymore.


Advanced button

Switches you to Advanced mode for the criterias of customizing your optimization preset.


File Size

Displays the file size before and after optimization process.


Download Time

Displays the estimated download time of the current animation file on a blank HTML document. It is estimated  based on the connection modem speed ( Kilobits per second) which is selected in the box below.

Note: Actual download time varies depending on general Internet conditions.


Before Optimization

Displays the animation file information (includes file size and download time) before optimization.


After Optimization

The animation file information (includes file size and download time) after being optimized.


Saving

Displays the amount of file size and download time which is reduced during the optimization process.


Use GIF Optimization Engine

There are two choices of optimization engines available - Median Cut and Minimum Variance for you to create your Global Palette.


Optimize before save

Check this option to optimize your animation file before you save it.


Use Preset (Save as dialog box)

Select one of pre-defined presets from the list to optimize the saving file.


Optimization check

Check to always detecte whether the currently opened file has been optimized or not. It sends out the warning message to prevents the file from being optimizing more than once.


Optimize

Builds up the Global Palette with the colors from the image’s Local Palette which are most commonly used.


Browser Safe

Converts your Global Palette to be 216 web-browser specific colors used by Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Both of these variations limit the size of your color index, which are albe to reducing your overall file size.


User defined palette

Allows you to select your pre-defined Global Palettes which saved in local folders.


Animation Color Order

Shows colors animation sequence for you to arrange the selected colors by clicking the ones you want to animate with eyedropper.


Remove Redundant Frames

Check this option to removes the unnecessary frames which does not impact the animation during the optimization process.  This can reduce your file size.


Message box style

After your animation has finished, you can have a special message pop-up. The items listed in this dialog box are Windows clipart files (EMF). A thumbnail of the selected file is shown below the list. Click the Import Style button to find other backgrounds on your computer. The dimensions of this message box can be scaled (changed) if the background is an EMF file. If you select None, no message box will be displayed and you will not be able to enter a text message.


Message box style thumbnail

This is a quick preview of the clipart file selected from the above list.


Default dimensions

This is the default size of the message box at the end of the animation. These dimensions can be customized below.


Custom dimensions

Enter width and height values for the message box's size.


Width & Height

Enter values here to set the Custom dimensions of the message box.


Select GIF file

If you don't have an animation already open, you can select one here.


Select sound file

Select a sound file (*.MID;*.WAV) to play during the animation.


Generate executable file

Enter the name of the executable file (*.EXE) that you want to create.


Loop infinite

Select this option to have the animation repeat until the viewer clicks on it.


Loop count

Select this and enter a value for the number of times you would like the animation to repeat before stopping.


Go to URL

Select this option and enter a URL (Web address). When the viewer clicks on the animation, it will automatically open his/her default Web browser and navigate to this location.


Lock animation on center of screen

The animation will start and finish on the center of the user's screen.


Start frame position

Select a location for the beginning of the animation. When the viewer double-clicks the EXE file, the animation will appear at this location and then move to the End frame position before playing the actual GIF animation.


End frame position

Select a location for the end of the animation. When the viewer double-clicks the EXE file, the animation will appear at the Start frame position and then move to this location before playing the actual GIF animation.


Total file size

This displays the file size of the final EXE file, including the Message box, GIF animation, and any included sound files.


Color & Font

This displays the color and font of the text that will appear in the message box. These attributes can be adjusted by clicking the Font button.


Enter message

Type the text message you would like to appear in the Message box at the end of the animation. If you have selected None in the Message box style list, you will not be able to enter text here.


Import Style

Click this button to browse for additional clipart and images to use as the background for the Message box.


Font

Click this button to adjust the Font, Style (bold, italic, etc.), Size, and Color.


OK

Click to export (create, save) the animation package.


Cancel

Click to close this dialog box without exporting the animation package.


Help

Click to find more help about this dialog box and about exporting animation packages.


Replace color

Lets you to change color on the currently selected index.


end


Check this option to keep the image's layers inherant width-height ratios the same as you resize it.


Defines the new width of the image.


Defines the new height of the image.


Determines whether the values you enter for Width and Height are entered as pixels or as a percentage of the original.


Select the source image to use a template for change other image layers.


Check this option to use a background image for the scrolling layer to replace, or leave it unchecked to use the background color as defined in the Global Information Layer.


Select the layer to use as the background your scrolling image replaces.


Select the type of scrolling effect to apply.


Defines the number of frames for the effect to create while processing itself.


Sets the delay for each new frame.


Sets the direction of the scrolling effect.


Moves each of the selected images, beginning with the second selected image, this number of pixels along the X-Axis. This is a cumulative effect, so the second image layer selected is moved X, the first is moved X+X, the third is moved X+X+X, etc.


Moves each of the selected images, beginning with the second selected image, this number of pixels along the Y-Axis. This is a cumulative effect, so the second image layer selected is moved Y, the third is moved Y+Y, the third is moved Y+Y+Y, etc.


Select the range of  images whose X- and Y- Offset you want to modify. Note: Because the Moving Sprite feature handles all the adjustments, all you need to do is select the group of images (preferably duplicates of single, base image) and then enter the X and Y- Offset values which are applied automatically in descending order, cumulatively beginning with the second image in the list (the first image is used as the template).


Displays a preview of the selected image(s).


Select the common background to merged with the range of images highlighted below.


Select the range of images to be merged with the common background layer selected above.


Click this to select all of the images.


Click this to deselect all of the images.


This activates the optional GIF89a attribute of the same name, allowing you to pause the animation on the selected frame. The animation continues only when the viewer clicks their mouse or presses a key. Note: This function is not yet supported in most web browsers.


Check this option to leave the positioning of the resampled image layers relative to how it was positioned originally.


Select the color channel for GIF Animator to emphasis when selecting and discarding colors for the palette.


Enter the location of the Adobe-compatible filters you want to use in GIF Animator


Browse for the folder that contains Adobe-compatible plug-in filters.


Select the image layer you want to crop from this drop-down menu.