A graphic image that moves on a web page is called an animated GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) file – for e.g. a twirling banner or an icon with letters that magically gets larger or a hand that waves. Java, Flash and other tools can also be used to get the same effects as a animated gif. However, animated gif’s are simpler to create than comparable images with Java or Flash. Animated GIF’s usually have larger sized images and faster to display.
Versions of windows after vista lets you set animated GIF image on your desktop as a background. If you are currently using Windows XP, then you are lucky.
How They Work
Basic animation is an important feature built into the GIF graphic file for¬mat. It enables a graphic file to contain a wide array of animation “frames”. This gives an illusion of motion or change of different images over time. All of those images are amazingly stored within a single GIF file.
Things you will need while setting an Animated GIF
Windows XP or earlier
Animated GIF(s)
Steps by Step Instructions
First, you have to right- click on the desktop background and click on “Properties”. Switch to “Desktop” tab. Now, what you do from here depends on how much control you wish to have over the placement of the GIF.
If you do have inhibitions about your GIF on your desktop screen and you use a version of Windows prior to XP, then select the “Browse” button and open your animated GIF. You can either stretch the image to fill the screen or you can place the image in the centre. You can even tile the image. After you finish with the process, press “OK”.
If you are using XP and wish to hand position your GIF wallpaper then you can use the Desktop functionality. You can use the same function while putting multiple images on your desktop. Now, click on the “Customize Desktop” tab. Move to the “Web” button and select “New”. Click on your desired image, by either pasting its online URL or browsing for it in your hard drive. Then for each subsequent window that comes, click “OK”. Your GIF will finally appear on the desktop. Select the animated GIF by double-clicking on the image and dragging it to the position of your choice. To add more GIF images, repeat the process.
Few Tips and Warnings that you should keep in mind while setting an Animated GIF.
Windows Vista, Mac, Linux or Windows 7 are not easily able to set an animated Gif as their desktop background. However, there are some software’s available which allows you to use these screensavers or videos as your desktop
Animated Gif can be difficult to set. Yet, if you follow these steps it will be simple for you. If still you are unable to set an animated gif as your desktop wallpaper, you can take help from a computer professional.