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Convert EXR to GIF - Professional HDR to Web Graphics

Transform OpenEXR files into shareable GIF images for web and presentations.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Need to Share Your EXR Files?

You have EXR files from your VFX project, 3D render, or film work. They look incredible on your workstation, but you can't share them anywhere. Email clients reject them, websites don't accept them, and most people have never heard of EXR.

Converting to GIF gives you a universally compatible image that works everywhere. While GIF doesn't preserve the full HDR data, it creates a viewable version perfect for sharing, previews, and web display.

How to Convert EXR to GIF

  1. Upload your EXR file - Drag and drop or select your OpenEXR image
  2. Confirm GIF output - GIF is selected for maximum web compatibility
  3. Download your image - Get a web-ready version instantly

The whole process takes seconds. No professional software required.

EXR vs GIF: Understanding the Trade-off

EXR and GIF serve completely different purposes. Understanding this helps you decide when conversion makes sense:

  • EXR - 32-bit floating point, billions of colors, HDR data, large files, professional use only
  • GIF - 8-bit indexed, 256 colors maximum, small files, universal support

In our testing, EXR files averaging 15-50MB converted to GIFs under 500KB. You lose HDR precision, but gain the ability to actually share and view the image anywhere.

When EXR to GIF Makes Sense

Quick Previews for Clients

Need to show a client what a render looks like without sending massive files? GIF previews load instantly in email.

Portfolio Thumbnails

Display VFX work on your website with lightweight GIFs. Link to full-quality versions for serious viewers.

Team Communication

Share progress shots in Slack or Discord without crashing the channel with 50MB files.

When to Use a Different Format

If you need more than 256 colors or better quality, consider EXR to PNG instead. PNG supports millions of colors while remaining web-compatible. For photographs, EXR to JPG provides better color reproduction.

Works in Any Browser

Convert EXR to GIF directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux workstations
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • No plugins or software installation

Your files stay on your device throughout the conversion process.

Pro Tip

When converting EXR renders for client preview, convert a representative frame first to check how the tone mapping looks. Adjust your EXR's exposure in compositing software before converting if the preview looks too dark or blown out.

Common Mistake

Sending GIF conversions to clients as final deliverables. GIF is strictly for preview purposes. Always provide proper format files (EXR, TIFF, or DPX) for any work that goes into production.

Best For

Creating quick previews of VFX renders for email, chat, or web portfolios. Perfect for showing work-in-progress shots without sending massive professional files.

Not Recommended

Any situation requiring accurate colors or HDR data. Don't use GIF for final delivery, color approval, or anything going into a production pipeline. Use original EXR or high-quality formats like PNG instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

EXR (OpenEXR) is a high-dynamic-range image format developed by Industrial Light & Magic. It stores 32-bit floating point color data and is the industry standard for visual effects, 3D rendering, and professional film production.

Yes. GIF only supports 256 colors while EXR supports billions of colors with HDR data. The conversion creates a viewable preview, not a production-quality file. For better quality, consider PNG or JPG as target formats.

EXR is a specialized format for professional VFX and film work. Standard image viewers don't support it. Only professional software like Nuke, After Effects, Photoshop, and Blender can open EXR natively.

Yes. Upload multiple EXR files and convert them all to GIF in a single batch. This is useful for creating preview sequences of rendered frames.

Significantly smaller. A typical 30MB EXR file converts to a GIF under 500KB. The exact reduction depends on image complexity and color content.

Each EXR file converts to a single GIF image. For animated GIFs from a sequence, you would need to convert each frame and combine them separately in an animation tool.

HDR data is tone-mapped to fit within GIF's 8-bit color range. Bright highlights and deep shadows compress to visible levels. The result is viewable but not suitable for compositing or color grading.

PNG is better for quality since it supports millions of colors versus GIF's 256. Use GIF only when you specifically need GIF format compatibility or want the smallest possible file size for simple graphics.

No. The converter runs entirely in your web browser. No downloads, installations, or professional software licenses required.

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