My artist and I share aseprite files. When they export a GIF, the aseprite file becomes corrupted. Some frames go missing. This has happened twice now, with the same file.
Canvas size: 64x64 pixels
Frames: 181
Layers: 26
My version:
Aseprite v1.2.25-x64
Their version:
Aseprite v1.2.25
When they Export File as a gif with options:
- Resize: 1000%
- Layers: Visible layers
- Frames: All frames
- Animation Direction: Forward
… then they see a warning that says:
File format ".gif" doesn't support:
- Layers
- Tags
You can use ".ase" format to keep all this information.
Do you want continue with ".gif" anyway?
They click Yes.
They see an error message that says:
There is not enough memory to complete the action.
A GIF is exported, but some frames from the aseprite file vanish. They are still considered frames with data (they have a dot), but the pixels are gone.
I asked the artist to install the 64 bit version and try again. They no longer get the error.
Early on, I asked them what version they were using, and they said v1.2.25. It wasn’t until I asked for a screenshot of their about window that I noticed they must be on the 32 bit version. It took me hours to restore the missing frames.
I’m putting in this post so others who face a similar problem may be able to find it. Please consider the following possible solutions:
-
On the download page(s), clearly recommend 64-bit for most users.
-
In 32 bit versions of the software, end it with x32 to make the problem more discoverable.
-
In 32 bit versions of the software, try to prevent data loss - just block the operation. It seems like they only lost data when they exported a gif, not when they edited the file. The error did not occur on assets that had less frames/layers.
-
If a file was created with 64-bit aseprite or a future version, then warn anyone who opens that file with an older version or a 32-bit aseprite.
Keywords: pixels disappear vanish file corrupt export gif data loss lost