---
name: "whirlgif"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "whirlgif"
version: "2.01-2.1"
release: "Debian 2.0 (Hamm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/whirlgif"
---

# whirlgif(1)

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

## NAME

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

## SYNOPSIS

**whirlgif** \[ **-v** \] \[ **-trans** index \] \[ **-time** delay\] \[ **-o** outfile\] \[ **-loop** \] \[ **-disp** method \] \[ **-i** incfile\] 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 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\>