Convert VIFF to APNG (Animated PNG)

The Khoros Visualization Image File Format (VIFF), developed by AccuSoft Corporation, is a bitmap image format used primarily within the Khoros software environment for scientific and engineering applications. It supports various image types, including grayscale, color, and multi-spectral images, making it useful for visualizing complex datasets. Despite its powerful capabilities, VIFF is now considered somewhat obsolete due to the emergence of newer, more versatile image formats. However, it remains an important part of the history of image processing and visualization technologies.

Animated Portable Network Graphics (APNG) is an extension of the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format designed to support animated images. Introduced in 2004, APNG allows for animated sequences while retaining backward compatibility with non-animated PNG files. This format is utilized for its lossless compression, making it ideal for web graphics where image quality is paramount. APNG files are widely used for animated icons, logos, and other elements that benefit from high-quality animations without the artifacts common in GIF files. Its concise, efficient structure makes it a preferred choice among developers and designers focused on optimizing web performance.