GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User
URL or Image link:

List any relevant plug-ins or scripts:
AnimStack

List any ERROR messages you received:
Cannot save RGB color images. Convert to indexed color or grayscale first.

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Hey guys! First post here. I just got into GIMP about a month ago and I've been able to teach myself most of the tricks with a few youtube tutorials of help. I've already downloaded several scripts from this site and I love them!! I ran into an issue and was wondering if anyone could offer some assistance.

I was trying to create a signature for a forum and the one I wanted was animated. I wanted the gif itself to have a transparent background, so I took the gif and separated all 55 frames and edited out the background, and then recreated the gif with the edited frames. Then I wanted to insert that gif into my signature. I already had several images with the "Lightened Only" layer, so I thought I'd select all 55 frames individually and apply the Lightened Only mode to them. The end-effect was great, except for that it wouldn't separate from the other frames, even though I entered (replace) on each of the layers. I then tried (combine) to no avail.

Here is an example of what I was dealing with: http://imgur.com/Qu9VCLi

When I researched how to avoid this, I came across AnimStack and downloaded the script. After applying a [bg] to my background and a [fg] to an extra layer I added, I selected "Process AnimStack Tags" in the Filter-Animation- and it essentially grouped all 55 frames with my background and my foreground. Somehow, this fixed my problem and I had a clean, lightened-only GIF when running the playback! I was so relieved because I had spent hours and hours trying to figure out how to do just that.

Then I tried to export it and ran into the RGB/Indexed/Grayscale issue. I had to index the colors, which therefore grayed out the option to process the Animstack tags. It also didn't allow me to Lighten Only on any of the images and the background was down to only one layer. Very bland looking.

Here is an example of the end-result I want, but without color: http://imgur.com/m2cFJGf

That is essentially what I want it to be, just with color instead! My question is - Is there any way around the Index/Grayscale when exporting GIFs in GIMP? Is there any plug-in or script that would allow me to get the end-result that I want? Are there any other formats similar to GIF that would allow me to save this?

Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you!!

Have you tried sg-combine-background? It is a filter that takes the bottom layer in the stack and essentially adds it as a bg for each layer above. This allows you to create animations on still backgrounds.



Filter is attached. just throw it in your scripts folder and you will find it in the menus under - "/Script-Fu>Animation>Combine background"

I did not try that......... But I just did..... AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

You are very welcome.

You just need to do Image - Flatten Layer Groups before converting to Indexed.

Technical explanation:

GIMP cannot automatically convert images with Layer Groups to Indexed mode because Layer Groups are not supported in Indexed mode. The error message is quite unhelpful because normally you can export to GIF even from RGB mode.

Animstack usually turns every frame into a layer group after processing. To actually export the animation to GIF you need to flatten all layer groups or you will get the error. Animstack includes a command to do just that: it's under the menu Image - Flatten Layer Groups.