GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User

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I have been doing photo manipulation with different images. I get my project to where it looks good enough for my purposes. But after I export to a gif (because this file type allows me to use alpha channels in a video editor), the converted image takes on artifacts like shades of color that make a photo image look more like a painting.

Any other program i try to open it in shows this cloudy image. i am wondering if there is a better way to export that will retain the alpha transparency in other programs like video editors? (i use the gif export settings that the program automatically populates.)

TIA!

The gif format only permits 256 colours, so you loose a lot of definition. Also, gif transparency (opacity) is either 0% or 100%, nothing in between.

Use the png format, solves the above gif problems.

Thank you so much--very helpful answer. hopefully my video editor can import png.

are there any other more optimal formats that allow for more colors and also will support transparency in most utilities that you would import it into?

best.