### 5.5. Export File Formats

When exporting an image, most file formats have additional options that can be set. If that is the case, a new dialog opens after you have selected the filename and export file format. The following pages document the dialogs for export file formats in alphabetical order.

Be aware that not all formats support all kinds of images. In particular certain formats may not be able to show transparency (like jpeg), while only a few formats support exporting an animation (like webp and gif).

#### 5.5.1. Exporting Animations

Some file formats supported by GIMP allow you to export an animation, most notably webp and gif, but also mng, however this last format isn't supported very well by most applications.

There is limited support in GIMP for creating animations. When exporting it is assumed that each layer in your image represents a frame in your animation. Exporting to animations usually doesn't support layer groups, so it's best not to use those if you want to make an animation.

You can adjust the name of a layer, by adding some parameters in parenthesis, to let the animation export know how that layer needs to be animated and for how long it should be shown before going to the next frame. When both these things are set a name usually looks like this: “`My layer name (delay in ms)(animation command)`”.

The delay sets the amount of time the frame will be visible, e.g. `(200 ms)` to set it to 200 milliseconds.

The animation command specifies how the frame is combined with the previous one. You can only choose one animation command for each layer. The available commands are:

replace

  The `(replace)` command means that this layer (frame) will completely replace the previous one.

combine

  The `(combine)` command means that this layer (frame) will be combined with the previous one. Only the visible parts in this layer will replace that of the previous layer. Using `(combine)` can reduce the size of the animation and may improve playback speed for large size animations.

  You can use the optimize (for GIF) command to change your `(replace)` layers to `(combine)`. This adjusts the layer to only contain what is different from the previous one and then sets it to `(replace)`. Don't hesitate to use this, even if you plan to export to a different format than GIF. This command was named at a time that there were not many other animation options than GIF, but can be used for any animation format that supports combining.

  Note that you can also do the reverse and unoptimize the animation, setting each layer to `(replace)`.

GIMP has a limited animation playback ability that you can use to preview your animation.

5.4. Export File |  | 5.6. Export Image as GIF

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