NAME

     whirlgif - a quick program that reads a series of GIF files,
     and produces a single gif file composed of those images.

SYNOPSIS

     whirlgif [ -v ] [ -trans index ] [ -time delay]  [  -o  out-
     file] [ -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 ani-
     mation, 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  anima-
     tion. This may cause problems for some programs.

BUGS

     The loop 'count' is  ineffective  because  Netspcape  always
     loops infinitely.

     should be able to specify delay in an  'incfile'  list  (see
     next bug).

     Does not handle filenames starting with a - (hypen),  except
     in 'incfile'.

     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>