Animated GIF software recommendation?

I'm looking for some (say <$20) software to make animated GIFs. I've been using Microsoft GIF Animator, but I don't think it does a thing to minimize file size. I believe other programs save a ton of file size by basically reusing the portions of the image that don't change. Any suggestions?

http://wisdom-soft.com/products/motiongif.htm ???

Free:
http://www.gimp.org/

a guide I found informative:
http://www.disordered.org/Animate.html

Also, http://www.freshmeat.net/.


Freshmeat Search Results

The three times I've made animated gifs I used the animation program that came with Paintshop Pro.

MakeGIF

A simple program that worked better than most 'cheap' programs. Its been a while, so I don't remember if this one makes more efficient animated GIFs. Some simply store repeated copies of GIF images and play them. Better GIF programs determine what has changed and only store data for those changes. These better GIF programs therefore make anitmated GIF files that are significantly smaller.

As I also remember, this program provided a slightly more flexible timing adjustment compared to other 'cheap' GIF programs. Only look at less than 10 back then. This one was an easiest to learn, do it, and be done.

Gromitspapa wrote:

I'm looking for some (say <$20) software to make animated GIFs.

So what did you discover? What did you use?

I've been using the Ulead GIF Animator 5 on their 15 day free trial. It works very well for my purposes, is much more powerful than and saves a lot of time vs the free Microsoft GIF Animator. I can load jpegs into it, fiddle around, preview, and see the exact file size before saving it. I thought it was $29.95 when I signed up for the free trial, but now realize that was the upgrade price. It's really $49.95, and you can't save much shopping online.

I heard Corel Animation Shop 3 is good, and it's $39. I requested their 30 day free trial, but the link they sent me doesn't work. I'll probably call their customer support to obtain the free trial before I decide.

A couple of samples so far:

Here's a couple other avatars I made with the Ulead software...