Interlaced Images

The major problem with images on Websites is that graphics take time to load. The more graphics a page has, the longer it takes to load.

One way to reduce load time is to use interlaced images (generally, GIF files)

“Interlaced” images are pictures that load gradually, which enables website visitors to get an idea that an image is actually loading, not just waiting for something to happen until an image suddenly appears. Files can be set up to be "interlaced" through the graphics packages that create them; there is no HTML code that specifies whether an image is interlaced or not.

Transparent Masks

GIF and PNG files have the capability to employ a “transparent mask.”

A “transparent mask” is a specific single color in an image that is not displayed (thus appearing “transparent”) when a browser views an image.

Transparent masks enable the image to appear as if it is actually sitting directly on the background of the page, rather than surrounded by a rectangular box of a specific color.

Again, files can be set up to have transparent masks only through the graphics packages that create them; HTML code does not specify whether an image has a mask or not.

Animated Images

Later versions of GIF images (as well as JPEG’s, to a lesser extent), can contain multiple images, which can be alternately displayed, creating an “animation.”

These files also contain information on transparency, delay between displaying images, and whether the animation plays through once and stops or loops through the animation. Think of it like a motion picture reel...each "frame" of the picture reel is a separate image, and when shown in sequence, it appears as an animation.

And again, files can only be set up as "animated" through the graphics packages that create them. HTML code does not specify whether an image is animated or not.

For graphics packages that can create these files, we recommend you visit: The Ultimate Collection Of Winsock Software (a.k.a. TuCows) at http://www.tucows.com. You can find quite a few shareware and freeware programs there that can help you get started in graphics creation. Just type "animated gif" or "transparent gif" in the "Search Software" box.