What Is A GIF

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format and this animated graphic image can be usually found on web pages. They appear like a twirling icon or a banner or just have few letters that go larger like a magic. Note that animated GIF file is actually specified as a GIF89a and this single file use to contain so many images inside a particular folder. The fact is that this group of images use to follow an endless loop on screen and it creates a feel like document never ends and frames keep on arriving on screen. In few cases, it may follow one or two looped sequences and then animation stops automatically. These animated GIF files are commonly used on social media platform as well as for web ad banners.

What is a GIF?

As we already discussed, GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format. It is a useful file extension for an animated raster file and is second most popular image file format throughout the world. You might be aware that JPEG is on first ranking at World Wide Web.

In technical terms, GIF makes sue of LZW compression algorithm whose owner is Unisys. Note that, Unisys follows particular licensing statements so users need to have license before using GIF images. But in regular practices, most of the web developers or file downloader’s keep on ignoring this licensing term and they are using it freely. Hence GIF’s have proposed a patent free kind of replacement via PNG.

If you want to make GIF online, Filmora meme maker is your ultimate solution. It helps you make image, GIF and video memes directly without watermark. It is totally FREE to use and no sign up. You can change text size, color and position to create caption when you are editing. You can also put text inside or outside in GIF. Try it now!

Application of GIF:

You may easily find numerous GIF files on social media. These day’s people are using them commonly to entertain audience on their pages or channels. They are also being used for active conversations in comments or replies. Many people are utilizing GIFs just to convey unique reactions on internet at different channels. They are commonly used for illustrations and one of the most prominent applications is in the business world for marketing needs. It can help to explain your business products with entertainment and increased user engagement. The artistic world of GIFs can easily boost your customers online.

Many big brands these days are using GIF files to add a breathtaking moment to internet for their targeted audience and these small sized files are definitely do miracles. Actually popularity of GIF’s and their ability to deliver content interactively has revolutionized the world. That is why GIFs these days use to define Lexicon of internet and Oxford dictionary has recently decided to add this GIF to their list of words. In the world of art, GIF images have received great attention and most of art galleries or popular institutions are making use of GIFs to showcase incredible art work of their talented graphic artists.

How to make a GIF?

Now you might be interested to create your own GIF. Actually market is loaded with so many tools to do so. You can make use of Adobe Photoshop too or some other popular software are KickmyGraphics, Photoscape, Microsoft GIF Animator etc. If we talk about online tools then gifmaker.me, Ezgif.com and Giphy are the common options. It is also much easier to find GIF creator applications for smartphones, the list of some popular applications include: Gif Studio, Gif Me Camera air GIFBOOM for Android users whereas iPhone users can download GIFX, Daycap, MyFace When, Giffer etc.

It is possible to develop gifs from collection of still images or even from moving videos and this task is much easier that anyone can perform. In order to execute this task with ease, we would like to recommend Wondershare Filmora for you. The reason behind this recommendation is the simple and most interactive interface of this software tool. Using Filmora, you can easily combine number of stills into GIFs or turn small videos into GIFs. The more interesting thing is that Filmora also allows easy customization of Gifs as users can add overlays, elements and text etc to their GIFs using Filmora platform.

How to make GIFs with Wondershare Filmora

Here are few simple to execute steps to accomplish this task:

1. Import media files

The very first task for users is to import some editable video file or collection of photos to timeline of Wondershare Filmora. This software tool extends support to more than 150 media file formats so you can easily upload any of your image ranging somewhere between png, jpg, avi, mpeg, wav, mkv, mp4 or wmv etc.

2. Drag to timeline

Users can simply drag their video/image file and drop it on Filmora timeline. Once your file reaches there then it can be edited using wide range of tools.

3. Edit media files

There are unlimited editing options with so many interesting features of Filmora. Users can easily pick anything like slow down, speed up, combine, rotate, split, crop etc. to develop eye catching video as per available content.

4. Add text effect to GIF files

It is right time to update text based information to your GIFs. Few small messages always appear good in GIFs.

5. Save and export

Once you are done with all these steps then simply save your file with GIF extension and it is now ready to get uploaded on social media platforms.

Check this video tutorial to know more details:

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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