Exported animated GIFs have 'muddy' colors.

[MatthewLally]

I use Animate to create animated social media posts.

Then I select "File", then "Export", then "Export Animated GIF..."

Sometimes, not always, the colors in the gif are muddy: yellow comes out as dull brown, blue comes as dull green.

I've tried different things, pulling out complex objects, gradients, etc. but I can't figure it out.

Doesn't happen all the time but it can ruin several hours work.

Thank you!

[Joseph Labrecque]

A gif file is limited to 256 colors - anything beyond it it was shart shifting things to compensate. I would suggest being very intentional on a limited, defined pallette for greatest accuracy: 

[MatthewLally]

Ahhhh! Thank you so much!!  It's very likely I have been using more than 256 colors. I will use your advice. I think you have solved my problem!!

[Joseph Labrecque]

Yeah - it's very limited in many ways... but gif continues to be popular despite such limitations! 

[MatthewLally]

One more quick question: I'm now working on my next animation. Do you think I should avoid gradients altogether? Do you know if gradients count only as the 2 color endpoints...or a ton of colors in-between. That would get to 256 pretty quickly. Thank you!

[Joseph Labrecque]

Depends on your ouput. If targeting GIF... yeah - good to keep these limitations in mind. 

[n. tilcheff]

Do you know if gradients count only as the 2 color endpoints...or a ton of colors in-between. 

A ton of colors, so it's best to avoid or only use small variations of one or two colors, which can comfortably fit into an 8-bit palette.