GIF File Description: Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) files designed by CompuServe are standard raster graphics or (256 color or 8 bit) image formats, supported by our 3D GIS mapping software
Global Mapper, which you can download a Free Trial to use.
GIF files is a common compression format for transferring graphic files occasionally used to stored scanned maps. For Global Mapper to load a GIF file, a world file needs to be present for the GIF file otherwise you will have to manually rectify the GIF image. Our GIS mapping 3D software Global Mapper v6.00 and above can load files in this GIF format. The GIF89a file is a more recent format that supports three page effects: interlacing, transparency, and animation. Available for free? Varies. Web Pages and FTP Sites: GIF Format Web Directory Graphics Interchange Format | 
