Expert: Andre Hickman - 6/14/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
When I receive an animated bmp image in an e-mail (Outlook) I am unable to save it and keep the animation.  Is it possible to do that?  I have Photoshop Elements as a resource.
Answer -
a .bmp file is a "windows bitmap" file.  As far as I know, those cannot be animated (at least in all my years I've never known of one.)  Check and make sure that it isn't an animated .gif file.  Usually that is what animated web files are.  Regardless of what it is, if you save the file directly from the email source (i.e. right click and save) then it should retain it's animated characteristics as long as you don't alter the file in any way.  You won't be able to see the animation in Photoshop or any other graphic program...but if you view the file in a web browser, such as internet explorer or netscape, you will see that it is still animated.  If you are trying to edit the frames of the animation, or to preview the animation in photoshop, then Check this tutorial out on creating animated gif's in photoshop.--> http://www.ehow.com/ehow/ehowDetails.jsp?index=1014&id=18384

Cheers--Andre

1.  When I right click on the image as viewed in the e-mail and select save as, bmp is the only save file format option. Then when I double click the saved image it opens in Internet Explorer but with out the animation.

2. When I right click and copy the picture and paste it in Photoshop and save it in bmp or gif and then click it it opens in IE with out animation.

3. When I right click and copy the image and paste it into a new e-mail it shows the animation.

So my question still is how can I save it as a file and keep the animation?

Thank you,
Richard Wimer :o)

Answer
It seems like this is something called an Incredimail File, which I am not familiar with (something new) Go to this web site: www.incredimail.com  and download the software there. It seems as though the software allows you to grab gif animations and attach them in the actual text of your document.  So the file did originate from a gif format (which you may be able to find out in cyberspace) but it has been transformed to this embedded .imi version.  I don't know if the incredimail software will let you reverse engineer the process, but this is the direction that will get you closer to what you are trying to do.  Sorry that I couldn't help you any more.  If you want to do a search for the original .gif, I think the name is:
buzz-off111111111111111111111111.gif

Cheers--Andre'