How to Save an Image as a GIF in GIMP

Transparency, within graphics on the web, is often times an intregal part of the design / display of a website. The need for GIF's is less apparent on UNIX / Linux / MAC OSs (with the availability of the transparent PNG); however, the need is immediate while working in Windows, since Microsoft's Internet Explorer does not support Alpha Transparency (showing transparent PNGs with a white background instead of transparency).

The purpose of this document is to guide GIMP users direction on how to save images to the GIF format (whether the image is a transparent GIF or not).

GIMP Images are Saved in RGB by Default

The reason that saving images as GIFs in GIMP is not readily available is: GIF images must be in an Indexed format, while GIMP images are created in an RGB format. When attempting to "Save As" in GIMP, you may find the "GIF" option to be dimmed.

Change the Image to an Indexed Format

To save the image as a GIF, we simply need to let GIMP know that the image that we are crating / altering / beautifying / etc is, in fact, an indexed image.

Change your RGB image to an idexed image by Right Clicking the Image, Clicking "Image" > "Mode" > "Indexed...".

After Clicking "Indexed..." you will be shown a dialog box where you can pick options on how your image should be indexed. For most applications, the default settings will be acceptable. Feel free to try different settings from this menu to achive the best effect.

Save As GIF

Now that you have converted your RGB image to an Indexed image, saving this image as a GIF in GIMP easy. Simply Right Click your image, Choose "File" > "Save As...". Click the Box next to "Determine File Type" (this box may haved dimmed text in it, don't worry, you can still click on it).

You now have the option to save as the File Type "GIF".