Two essential properties in the mid 90’s two more decisions early GIF makers could make, apart from transparency (or not) in the background of the animation and the amount of frames used in the animation.Īs an example of the best practice Koman brings the Blinking Alien, attributing the authorship to Audrey Witters from MetaTools.
To realize GIFs’full potential one could play with interframe delays and numbers of loops. They are the element that can bring surprise and suspense. Meaning that animated GIFs can be used for more than just motion. “Assorted Tip and Tricks”, chapter 6 of Richard Koman’s GIF Animation Studio manual, published by O’Reilly in 1996 starts with the wise remark “Your Web page can be a lot more fun if it’s not always crystal clear exactly what is going on” (p.69). Front row, left to right: Audrey Witters, Julie Sigwart, Rena Tom.īack row, left to right: Michael Mogitz, Scott Fegette (Audrey Witters’ personal archive)
MetaTools web team Christmas party, 1995.
