Use GIF Files in LabVIEW

Issue Details

I want to read a GIF file from my LabVIEW VI. There are no Write or Read GIF File VIs under the Graphics Formats palette in the Graphics and Sound functions. Which options do I have to work with GIF files?

Solution

There are no native GIF handling functions built in LabVIEW. Nevertheless, there are some tools the community has made, that can help you achieve the picture handling needs for this file format:

• OpenG Picture package can read GIF files and return each frame of the GIF, along with the delay between images. Read more about OpenG here: OpenG Libraries - OpenG
  • Look for the file <LabVIEW>\user.lib\_OpenG.lib\picture\picture.llb\Read GIF File (Animated)__ogtk.vi after installing
• Another of our community members has also created the example: Read GIF File. This is a simpler option that requires to additional toolkits to read the data of a GIF file and display it in the Front Panel.

Additional Information

Some examples use the function Read from Binary File Function to read the data from the file and interpret it as a GIF file. This low level option is available to perform custom file handling, not only with GIF files. More information here: Reading from Binary Files.