Animation is more than playing an image list in sequential order. Animation can have transparency, use different frame delays for different frames, use disposal methods, and so on. Such information can only be saved in an animation format (for example, GIF). When saving animation in a multipage format like TIFF or PCS, you need to save the target bitmap during the playback.

GIF files are commonly used for small animated images in applications. These are multi-page files, and animation is achieved by processing the list of images. (This is not the same as AVI or other full-motion video formats.)

LEADTOOLS lets you load a multi-page file into a list of bitmaps; then create and play an animation sequence using the list. With the paint-while-load feature, you can also play the animation while the list is being loaded.

LEADTOOLS takes advantage of the special animation features in GIF files, such as using one palette for the whole list of bitmaps. But you can create, play, and save animations in any multi-page format, including GIF, TIFF, and PCX. You can also create a list of bitmaps from an AVI file, but this is a read-only feature.

See also Implementing Animation