WHIRLGIF(1)WHIRLGIF(1)NAMEwhirlgif - a quick program that reads a series of GIF files, and pro‐
duces a single gif file composed of those images.
SYNOPSISwhirlgif [ -v ] [ -trans index ] [ -time delay] [ -o outfile] [ -loop ]
[ -disp method ] [ -i incfile] file1 [ -time delay] file2
DESCRIPTION-v verbose mode
-loop [count]
add the Netscape 'loop' extension.
-disp method
Sets the image 'disposal' method.
-time delay
inter-frame timing.
-trans index
set the colormap index 'index' to be transparent
-o outfile
write the results to 'outfile'
-i incfile
read a list of names from 'incfile'
TIPS
If you don't specify an output file, the GIF will be sent to stdout.
This is a good thing if you're using this in a CGI script, a very bad
thing if you run this from a terminal and forget to redirect stdout.
The output file (if any) and -loop _MUST_ be specified before any gif
images.
You can specify several delay statements on the command line to change
the delay between images in the middle of an animation, e.g.
whirlgif-time 5 a.gif b.gif c.gif -time 100 d.gif -time 5 e.gif f.gif
Although it's generally considered to be evil, you can also specify
several transparency statements on the command line, to change the
transparent color in the middle of an animation. This may cause prob‐
lems for some programs.
BUGS
The loop 'count' is ineffective because Netspcape always loops infin‐
itely.
should be able to specify delay in an 'incfile' list (see next bug).
Does not handle filenames starting with a - (hypen), except in 'inc‐
file'.
Needs better documentation.
TODO
Only save colormaps that are different from preceeding ones.
have an option that compares current image with previous and then only
save the smallest rectangle that encompasses changes. I need sample
code- the most efficient algorithms are patented?
option for luma sorting of colormaps
define extension block in order to have frame lists.
This program is available from
http://www.msg.net/utility/whirlgif/
--------------------------
AUTHOR
V2.01 Kevin Kadow kadokev@msg.net
Based on 'txtmerge' written by:
Mark Podlipec podlipec@wellfleet.com
Man Page by Mintak Ng <mintak@hitak.com>
7th Edition Feb 5, 1996 WHIRLGIF(1)