Ulead Gif Animator

Designed by Ulead, the Gif Animator enables you to create GIF files in a few simple steps.

The interface of the program is plain and simple. First-time users can check out some online tutorials and get started by initiating the animation wizard.

The first step is to set the canvas size for the new animation (you can select from templates or build an animation from scratch).

Now you can add images and video files from your local hard drive, after which you can input the delay time and frame rate.

In the workspace you can access three windows - "Edit", "Optimize" and "Preview". You can use a color palette (in the "Optimize" tab) and create a gradient between two colors.

You can export image frames or animations (as video or executable file), create an HTML or SWF file, remove objects and frames, preview animations (in Internet Explorer), as well as use the "Object Manager Panel" to edit an object's transparency.

You can duplicate objects and frames, change the attributes of an object at a global level, merge images, tween frames, insert a secondary animation in the current one, add special effects (banner text, neon banner, video transitions, filter effects, plugin filters), and more.

The Ulead Gif Animator takes up a low amount of system resources, comes with a thorough help file (although it could had been improved with tutorials and more snapshots) and didn't freeze or crash during our tests. We strongly recommend this software to all designers, whether they are experienced or not.