Hi there!

This past December, I posted a news article on the changes in the file type allowances and restrictions within the galleries. Since then there have been cheers and jeers about this taking place. The common gripe with this change is that there is no longer an ability to upload .gif file types to galleries that do not allow/have reason to allow animation works to be posted in them. Listening to the reasons why some artists are upset about this, I’ve confirmed that there are alternatives to achieving the same desired end result in most cases.

You can submit preview images and image packs in .jpg file format into the galleries that no longer allow .gif files, so that isn’t an issue. The only thing that you can’t do is submit animated work in a non animated gallery. Animated works can be submitted to Digital art > Miscellaneous > Animation if you aren’t creating a specific animated emoticon or avatar. Animated movie files belong in film.

FAQ #842: How do I become a submitting member of the film community?


Again, we need to reiterate that the flash gallery isn’t a place for .gif animations, it’s a place for flash pieces. We get a lot questions about that so hopefully this helps. If you try to submit a .gif image to the flash gallery, the file type will be rejected. If you have tried this and wondered why you are getting this message as you try to submit your work, that’s why.

The only other complaint is that the file size of a .gif file is smaller than a .jpg and with a 30 MB file size limit on dA, it shouldn’t be an issue to opt for a .jpg format rather than a .gif file.

(EDIT!! and as =Ratafluke mentions... "When lossless compression is needed, png is a better choice than jpg. In many such cases png is a better choice than gif, anyway. Only the file format is not as well-known, and people need to be educated about it."

Each Gallery Director has reviewed their list of accepted file types and each category can recognize through the submission process whether or not a file type is appropriate for that category/gallery. This is really helping to cut down on the amount of miscategorized images.

We are aware that PDF files are not able to be submitted to deviantART Related > dA Tutorials and that is being corrected.
(resolved!!!)

If you are trying to submit something and the file type is not accepted and you don't know where to put your work, please refer to the list of Gallery Directors found here Artist Relations Team Roster and ask!

Rock on! We’re here to help


Roxy, $Moonbeam13 and the AR TEAM!