GIFF-to-PICT Conversion: Reduced Resolution Is Lost Lookup Table

Why is it that when you convert a 256 color GIFF-formatted graphics file to a PICT file, the image quality is worse (the color mapping is off)?

I've been downloading graphic GIFF files from a variety of public bulletin boards and on-line information services. I want to import these graphic images into Macintosh programs that support PICT files, using such Macintosh programs as PICTureThis and Giffer to convert GIFF files to PICT files.

Invariably, the converted PICT image is worse in image quality than the original GIFF image that is displayed on the Macintosh screen using Giffer. It appears that the colors used in the original GIFF image don't completely map to the colors displayed in the PICT image.
It may be that the color lookup table is being lost. The GIFF file has its own custom lookup table that is either not being converted to the PICT file, or the program used to display the PICT file is not using the custom lookup table.

Contact the vendors of the utilities you are using to see if they know of a workaround.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012