How to create a Web-optimized GIF image from an icon

CompuServe GIF image format is widely used in Web pages because the majority of Web browsers recognize it. However this format has some limitations and images need to be optimized to meet Web requirements like size, colors and transparency:

• GIF Images don't support partial transparency (alpha channel). It means that either a pixel is transparent, either it isn't.

• GIF Images cannot contain more than 256 colors.

• GIF Images support reduced palettes. Limited number of colors will result in smaller file but will produce lower image quality.

Axialis IconWorkshop™ permits you to save an icon image to GIF file formats preserving the transparency areas of the icon. Only one image will be extracted from the icon. We recommend you to extract the 256 color image from the icon if available.

Open the icon file in IconWorkshop™

1. Open your original icon file (from the librarian or using File/Open...).

2. The image file opens in a document window. In the image format list, select the image you wish to use to create the GIF file. We recommend you to extract the 256 color image from the icon if available, otherwise use RGB/A.

Save the image as a GIF file with Web optimization

3. Choose File/Export/CompuServe GIF (Optimized for the Web) or press Ctrl+Shift+G.

4. A standard Save Image As dialog box opens. In the Save as Type list select the desired image file format.

5. Choose a destination folder and type a new filename. When done, click OK.

6. A dialog box CompuServe GIF Optimizer opens:

7. In Colors (), specify the number of colors you wish to use in the image palette. Limited number of colors will result in smaller file but will produce lower image quality. Choose "Auto" if you're not sure about desired the number of colors.

8. In Palette (), choose the type of palette desired:

• Adaptive - The palette will be calculated to get the best results possible (recommended).

• Web Safe - This is the default Netscape® Web palette.

• Windows® - This is the default palette used under old Windows® versions in 256 color screen mode.

• Macintosh® OS - This is the default palette used under old Macintosh® OS versions in 256 color screen mode.

9. In Dither (), choose "Diffusion" if you want IconWorkshop™ to simulate colors not present in the palette by pixel mixing using the "error diffusion" method. Choose "None" to encode the image without dithering. Diffusion produces the best results but usually creates slightly larger images.

10. In Transparency (), specify if you want to preserve transparency or not. Of you choose opaque, the transparent areas of the icon will be converted to solid color (the "Matte" color). If you choose to preserve transparency and encodes your GIF file from a RGB/A images, you may need to adjust the "Threshold" value () to produce better results on image edges.

11. In Preview, compare the original () and the optimized () images (image quality and size) to find the best adjustments possible.  

12. When done, click OK. The image file has been created.