gif with transparency and real smooth edges?

what is the secret to a gif with really good edges? Maybe if you want to be my friend tell me how to make them with shadows and transparency... I know png can do it but png does not work in IE unless you bust out major css scripts.

 

Use the same background colour in the gif and web page (or one that's close). E.g. if you want to show a yellow triangle on a black page, don't start with a white background in photoshop and draw a yellow triangle with anti-aliasing - start with a black background instead.

If the background behind the gif varies a lot, try different shades of gray and see which one works best.

 

^^ yeah, what that guy said. most of the transparent gifs appear blurry and aliased. try anti-alias function if there is any.

 

i agree with all the above. For a smooth gif the best way is to add anti-aliasing to the edges. This is a default option on programs such as Macromedia Fireworks. Then just export the png as a .gif file and add some alpha transparency to keep the background transparent.

 

I'm having the same problem here...

I have a watermark that I use for all my images but I don't know how to get the edges really smooth. Usually there is like some small pixels showing.

 

So firworks is better for gifs than photoshop?
that is interesting.

 

have a look at my step by step on this post it explain how to get a gif with smooth edges and a transparent background:

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=127452

 

If your graphic has a drop shadow on it, you can forget about a transparent gif. I'd recommend loosing the shadow and matting the colour to your background you want the colour to blend with. Photoshop or fireworks will do the same thing. Don't use a PNG on the web.

 

To keep all my transparent gifs smooth i just matte them with the approximate colour of the site. It puts a very very thing border around the image of that colour which smooths it out.