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This is a short tutorial which shows the basics of itsagif. Although System 8 is used for illustration, similar steps are used on the other supported platforms.

  1. Start itsagif.

  2. Open "Small Frog". (File / Open)

    Starting Windows

    The original image has 10397 different colours. This is shown in the source section of the control window (the window on the right) as well as the destination section of the control window, where the number may be edited.

  3. Enter "256" as the number of colours for the destination image.

    Changing the Number of Colours

    Notice that the preview image changes (very slightly) to show how the image will appear if saved now. The size of the saved image is also updated - using 256 colours, the image uses 14.9K instead of 110K for 10397 colours.

  4. Save the image as "Small Frog 256.gif". (File / Save as...)

    256 Colour Image
    "Small Frog 256.gif"


  5. As another example, change the number of colours from 256 to 32, and save the image as "Small Frog 32.gif". (File / Save as...)

    32 Colour Image
    "Small Frog 32.gif"

    It is clear that for most uses, 32 colours would be a better choice since it is visually acceptable and results in significant filesize savings (so viewers will download, and see, the image much faster).

  6. To see the relationship between the number of colours used and the file size, open the "File Size vs Number of Colours" window. (Windows/File Size vs Number of Colours) The curve showing the relationship will slowly materialize, but don't wait for it finish since the program can be used while it is filling in the curve.

    File Size vs Number of Colours


  7. Click on the curve to select the number of colours used.

  8. Try using itsagif on some of your own images. Since the preview shows how the image will appear, play around with the number of colours until you have the smallest filesize with an acceptable image.