[GH-ISSUE #317] [Feature request] Color limiter #1631

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opened 2026-03-01 18:47:02 +03:00 by kerem · 2 comments

kerem commented 2026-03-01 18:47:02 +03:00

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Originally created by @vatterspun on GitHub (Apr 23, 2018).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/issues/317

Disclaimer: There might be a way to do this properly but at least with the tools I used, lowering colors didn't seem to help, probably because it creates additional changes between frames.

I got this idea while responding to #299.

---

Background: I use ScreenToGif to help demonstrate short processes and for writing up bug reports, frequently I don't need precise detail to explain what I'm trying to do. Currently ScreenToGif saves to the 256 color standard. With fewer colors, I think you might see file sizes decrease.

I tried to put together a process to demonstrate how taking images recorded in ScreenToGif and using other tools with converters that remove colors would result in lower file sizes. Strangely, I tried the following workaround and -- for reasons I can't explain, none if to worked. Fewer colors (black and white, 64 color, 8 color even) strangely resulted in LARGER files sizes. I really can't explain why as I've done this previously with other GIF animation tools with very different results.

Workaround:

1. Record something and save as project (such as Recording.STG)
2. Unzip the .STG file using a program like 7zip to get access to the individual images
3. Run with a program like XnConvert and add all the files
4. Click Add Action - Reduce Colors (make sure to disable dithering)

5. Select an output folder and convert
6. Re-import back into the program (go to the output folder and select all)
7. Save to GIF or other format

Output

256 colors:

Black and White:

Note that converting to APNG format did nothing. The files with more colors were still somehow smaller. Maybe it's the converter I was using.

Originally created by @vatterspun on GitHub (Apr 23, 2018). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/issues/317 **Disclaimer**: There might be a way to do this properly but at least with the tools I used, lowering colors didn't seem to help, probably because it creates additional changes between frames. I got this idea while responding to #299. --- **Background**: I use ScreenToGif to help demonstrate short processes and for writing up bug reports, frequently I don't need precise detail to explain what I'm trying to do. Currently ScreenToGif saves to the 256 color standard. With fewer colors, I think you might see file sizes decrease. I tried to put together a process to demonstrate how taking images recorded in ScreenToGif and using other tools with converters that remove colors would result in lower file sizes. Strangely, I tried the following workaround and -- for reasons I can't explain, none if to worked. Fewer colors (black and white, 64 color, 8 color even) strangely resulted in LARGER files sizes. I really can't explain why as I've done this previously with other GIF animation tools with very different results. Workaround: 1. Record something and save as project (such as _Recording.STG_) 2. Unzip the .STG file using a program like 7zip to get access to the individual images 3. Run with a program like XnConvert and add all the files 4. Click Add Action - Reduce Colors (make sure to disable dithering)  5. Select an output folder and convert 6. Re-import back into the program (go to the output folder and select all) 7. Save to GIF or other format **Output** 256 colors:  Black and White:  Note that converting to APNG format did nothing. The files with more colors were still somehow smaller. Maybe it's the converter I was using.

kerem closed this issue 2026-03-01 18:47:02 +03:00

kerem commented 2026-03-01 18:47:03 +03:00

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@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (Apr 26, 2018):

With the encoder v2.0 you can reduce the number of colors.

<!-- gh-comment-id:384482414 --> @NickeManarin commented on GitHub (Apr 26, 2018): With the encoder v2.0 you can reduce the number of colors.

kerem commented 2026-03-01 18:47:03 +03:00

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@vatterspun commented on GitHub (Apr 27, 2018):

Wow, it was that easy? Jeeze.

<!-- gh-comment-id:384832518 --> @vatterspun commented on GitHub (Apr 27, 2018): Wow, it was that easy? Jeeze. 

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