FLI File – What is .fli file and how to open it?
FLI File Extension
FLIC Animation – file format by Autodesk
FLI (FLIC Animation) is a file extension developed by Autodesk for storing animated images. It is a lossless format that supports 24-bit color and transparency. FLI files can be played back using a variety of software applications.
FLI File Format
FLI (FLIC Animation) files are a type of video file format developed by Autodesk. They typically contain animated images and audio data, making them suitable for use in animations, games, and video applications. FLI files are compressed using the FLIC (Flic Animation) algorithm, a lossy compression method that reduces the file size while maintaining a reasonable level of image quality.
FLI files can be played using various video players that support the FLIC codec. The format is relatively old and has been largely replaced by more modern video formats such as MP4 and AVI. However, FLI files are still occasionally encountered, particularly in older software applications or legacy multimedia files.
Opening FLI Files on Windows
To open FLI files on Windows, you will need to download and install a compatible media player. Some popular options include:
- VideoLAN VLC media player: VLC is a free and open-source media player that can play a wide range of video and audio formats, including FLI.
- Windows Media Player: Windows Media Player is the default media player in Windows operating systems. However, it may not support FLI files by default. You may need to install a codec pack to enable FLI playback.
- FFmpeg: FFmpeg is a command-line tool that can be used to convert and play FLI files. It is available for download on the FFmpeg website.
Once you have installed a compatible media player, you can simply double-click on the FLI file to open it. The media player should automatically start playing the animation.
Opening FLI Files on Mac
To open FLI files on Mac, you can use the following methods:
- QuickTime Player: QuickTime Player is the default media player on Mac operating systems. It can play FLI files without the need for additional software.
- VLC media player: VLC is also available for macOS and can be used to play FLI files.
- FFmpeg: FFmpeg can also be used on Mac to convert and play FLI files.
You can open FLI files in QuickTime Player or VLC by simply double-clicking on the file. To use FFmpeg, you can open a Terminal window and type the following command:
ffmpeg -i input.fli output.mp4
This will convert the FLI file to an MP4 file, which can then be played in QuickTime Player or any other compatible media player.
File Format Overview
FLI (FLIC Animation) files are a type of animated image file format developed by Autodesk. FLI files are comprised of a series of individual frames, similar to a flipbook, which are played back in sequence to create the illusion of movement. The file format utilizes lossless compression to maintain image quality while keeping file sizes relatively small. FLI files typically contain 24-bit color images, providing a wide range of colors for visually appealing animations.
Technical Details
Technically, FLI files are based on the Autodesk FLIC (FLI and CEL) file format, which consists of two separate files: a FLI file containing the animation data and a CEL (CEL Animation) file storing the image data. The FLI file contains information such as frame timing, loop settings, and image pointers, while the CEL file stores the actual image frames. This separation allows for efficient storage and playback of the animation, as only the CEL file needs to be updated when making changes to the visuals. FLI files support various compression methods, including RLE and Huffman encoding, to further optimize file size without sacrificing image quality.