Writing a .gif animator software

Hey guys, recently i have started to work with website designing and kinda took notice of .gif animation files. I made a search for some freeware softwares and most only allow me to use the software for a limited period. So it kinda struck me why don't i try writing my own .gif animator. So the problem comes,
1) Where can i read up more abt the mechanics of .gif files, i know they r made of .bmp or .jpg files stacking over each other but how do u actually make this work ?
2) Is there a specific API for writing such softwares ?
3) Lastly, just in case im gonna write such a software next time, what are the keywords i should use in google to search for what i wan. For etc, i wanna make a .gif animator so i would needa know the API, and the mechanics to make it.
Ps i've only worked with note-taking programs and their outputs are only .txt files so im still a greenhorn to really making hard-core programs so can someone please guide me.

I know of some big image programs that can save gifs like you want. What kind of image processors do you have?

I would be surprized if this feature hadn't already been incorporated into GIMP - check that out. But if you still want to make the program...

Quote:

---

1) Where can i read up more abt the mechanics of .gif files, i know they r made of .bmp or .jpg files stacking over each other but how do u actually make this work ?

---

I wouldn't say that - gif files store each pixel, just like bmps (jpegs make approximations and sacrifice details for space), but gif still pictures are compressed - so if anything, animated gifs are still gifs stacked on top of eachother.

You can probably find the file format at www.wotsit.org. One of the major picture formats has some legal issues on where it can be used (refer to the GIMP website) - and I think it may be gif. But for personal use I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.

Easier than that, I'd be really surprized if there wasn't already an API for generating GIFs. Keep searching google. Keywords like, "C++ image processing library".

edit: And everytime someone asks about gifs, I'm reminded of this classing Strong Bad Email:

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail51.html

This is a gif animator software from the old days. I still have a copy and use it now and then. MS GIF Animator Sorry it's not going to help you with coding but I think a little utility like this comes in handy from time to time.

Regards,
Brian

ah great, i guess its gd enuf for the meantime. I will check out whether theres an API for processing .gif files and let you guys know. Anyway what about capturing Desktop images ? Whats the function i shld look out for ? kinda like those programs like screenprint

if you want to write a gif editor then GDI+ makes a good starting point with static gif support built in and dynamic gif support is easily added.