IronBarcode How-Tos Read Multipage Image How to Read Barcodes from Multi-Page/Frame GIF and TIFF Hairil Hasyimi Bin Omar Updated:July 28, 2025 IronBarcode supports various image format inputs for reading, including multi-page and multi-frame GIF and TIFF image formats. This offers ease of use for users to simply use the image without manually separating the frames or pages of a TIFF or GIF file. Let's explore how to use IronBarcode to read these file formats. How to Read Barcodes from Multi-Page/Frame GIF and TIFF Download the C# library for reading barcodes Prepare GIF and TIFF images for barcode detection Pass the multi-frame GIF and TIFF images to the Read method Apply image filters and options to improve accuracy and performance Convert images to multi-frame GIF and TIFF Get Started with IronBarcode Start using IronBarcode in your project today with a free trial. First Step: Start for Free Read Multiframe GIF and TIFF Images Reading multiframe GIF and TIFF images using IronBarcode is as easy as reading a single image because IronBarcode readily accepts multipage image files into the BarcodeReader.Read method. The users do not have to do any image preparation as all of them have been internalized in the library. The code example below demonstrates how to read multipage GIF and TIFF files: :path=/static-assets/barcode/content-code-examples/how-to/read-barcodes-from-multi-page-frame-tiff-gif-read-tif.cs using IronBarCode; using System; // Read barcode from TIF image BarcodeResults results = BarcodeReader.Read("sample.tif"); // Output the barcodes value to console foreach (var result in results) { Console.WriteLine(result.Value); } Imports IronBarCode Imports System ' Read barcode from TIF image Private results As BarcodeResults = BarcodeReader.Read("sample.tif") ' Output the barcodes value to console For Each result In results Console.WriteLine(result.Value) Next result $vbLabelText $csharpLabel Convert Images to GIF and TIFF Learn how to convert images to multipage TIFF and GIF by utilizing our open-source library, IronDrawing. Now, let's look at the code example below on how to generate a multipage GIF or TIFF image. :path=/static-assets/barcode/content-code-examples/how-to/read-barcodes-from-multi-page-frame-tiff-gif-create-tiff-gif.cs using IronBarCode; using IronSoftware.Drawing; using System.Collections.Generic; // Import images List<AnyBitmap> images = new List<AnyBitmap>() { AnyBitmap.FromFile("image1.png"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image2.png"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image3.png"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image4.jpg"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image5.jpg") }; // Convert TIFF from images AnyBitmap tiffImage = AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameTiff(images); // Export TIFF tiffImage.SaveAs("multiframetiff.tiff"); // Convert GIF from images AnyBitmap gifImage = AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameGif(images); // Export GIF gifImage.SaveAs("multiframegif1.gif"); Imports IronBarCode Imports IronSoftware.Drawing Imports System.Collections.Generic ' Import images Private images As New List(Of AnyBitmap)() From {AnyBitmap.FromFile("image1.png"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image2.png"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image3.png"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image4.jpg"), AnyBitmap.FromFile("image5.jpg")} ' Convert TIFF from images Private tiffImage As AnyBitmap = AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameTiff(images) ' Export TIFF tiffImage.SaveAs("multiframetiff.tiff") ' Convert GIF from images Dim gifImage As AnyBitmap = AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameGif(images) ' Export GIF gifImage.SaveAs("multiframegif1.gif") $vbLabelText $csharpLabel From the code snippet above, we first group a number of image files by importing them into a list of AnyBitmap objects. This list can then be used as a parameter when calling the AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameTiff and AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameGif methods to obtain the multipage TIFF and multipage GIF objects, respectively. While both multipage GIF and TIFF offer a way to group images into a single file, there are several differences between the two formats, as outlined below: Aspect Multipage GIF Multipage TIFF Compression GIF images use lossless compression, meaning that no image data is lost during compression. This results in relatively larger file sizes compared to formats with lossy compression. TIFF files can use various compression methods, including lossless compression (such as LZW) and lossy compression (such as JPEG). This flexibility allows TIFF files to balance between file size and image quality. Color Depth GIF supports up to 256 colors (8-bit color depth), which is limited compared to other formats. This limited color palette can result in a loss of detail and color accuracy, especially for photographs and images with gradients TIFF supports various color depths, including 1-bit (binary), 8-bit (256 colors), 24-bit (true color), and more. This flexibility allows TIFF to store images with different levels of color detail. Transparency GIF supports binary transparency, which means that a single color can be fully transparent, and the rest of the colors are fully opaque. This lack of partial transparency can sometimes lead to jagged edges in images with smooth transitions. TIFF supports multiple forms of transparency, including binary transparency (similar to GIF) and alpha channel transparency. Alpha channel transparency allows for smooth transitions and semi-transparent pixels, providing high-quality transparency effects. Animation GIF supports simple animations by combining multiple frames into a single file. Each frame can have its own time delay, creating a basic form of animation. GIF animations are widely supported on the web. TIFF is not primarily designed for animations. While it can store multiple images, it lacks built-in animation support like GIF. Each page in a multipage TIFF file is typically a separate image rather than a frame in an animation sequence. Advanced Barcode Reading Although IronBarcode works directly out of the box, some images may require configuring the BarcodeReaderOptions class to achieve accurate and fast barcode reading. You can find more information on this class in the 'How to read Barcodes from Image Files (jpg, png, gif, tiff, svg, bmp)' article. The code snippet below provides examples of the necessary properties that can be configured in the BarcodeReaderOptions class. :path=/static-assets/barcode/content-code-examples/how-to/read-barcodes-from-multi-page-frame-tiff-gif-advance.cs using IronBarCode; using System; // Configure filters ImageFilterCollection filters = new ImageFilterCollection() { new SharpenFilter(3.5f), new ContrastFilter(2) }; // Configure options BarcodeReaderOptions options = new BarcodeReaderOptions() { ExpectBarcodeTypes = IronBarCode.BarcodeEncoding.QRCode, ImageFilters = filters, ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true, Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced }; // Read barcode from TIF image BarcodeResults results = BarcodeReader.Read("sample.tif", options); // Output the barcodes value to console foreach (var result in results) { Console.WriteLine(result.Value); } Imports IronBarCode Imports System ' Configure filters Private filters As New ImageFilterCollection() From { New SharpenFilter(3.5F), New ContrastFilter(2) } ' Configure options Private options As New BarcodeReaderOptions() With { .ExpectBarcodeTypes = IronBarCode.BarcodeEncoding.QRCode, .ImageFilters = filters, .ExpectMultipleBarcodes = True, .Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced } ' Read barcode from TIF image Private results As BarcodeResults = BarcodeReader.Read("sample.tif", options) ' Output the barcodes value to console For Each result In results Console.WriteLine(result.Value) Next result $vbLabelText $csharpLabel In the code snippet, we not only set BarcodeReaderOptions properties, but we also apply some filters, specifically the SharpenFilter and ContrastFilter. These filters essentially help in improving the clarity of blurry images for barcode detection and reading. You can find more information on image correction filters in the 'How to use Image Correction Filters' article. For the BarcodeReaderOptions object, we suggest that users include ExpectMultipleBarcodes for IronBarcode to scan all available barcodes in the image file, Speed to balance between the reading accuracy and performance, ExpectBarcodeTypes to further increase performance, and ImageFilters to apply the filters set in ImageFilterCollection for reading accuracy. Though setting the BarcodeReaderOptions object is optional for most use cases, it is important for users to get the most out of IronBarcode when reading barcodes from multipage GIF and TIFF image files. Frequently Asked Questions What image formats are supported for barcode reading? IronBarcode supports various image formats for barcode reading, including multi-page and multi-frame GIF and TIFF. How can I read barcodes from a multi-page TIFF file? To read barcodes from a multi-page TIFF file, use the `BarcodeReader.Read` method in IronBarcode. You can pass the TIFF file directly, and IronBarcode will handle the multi-page aspect internally. What are the differences between multipage GIF and TIFF formats? Multipage GIF uses lossless compression and supports simple animations but is limited to 256 colors. Multipage TIFF supports various compression methods, multiple color depths, and higher transparency options but is not designed for animations. How do I convert images to multi-frame GIF or TIFF? You can convert images to multi-frame GIF or TIFF by using IronDrawing. Import images into a list of `AnyBitmap` objects and use `AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameTiff` or `AnyBitmap.CreateMultiFrameGif` methods. What options are available for advanced barcode reading? For advanced barcode reading, you can configure the `BarcodeReaderOptions` class, including options like `ExpectMultipleBarcodes`, `Speed`, `ExpectBarcodeTypes`, and `ImageFilters` to improve accuracy and performance. Do I need to prepare images before reading barcodes? No, you do not need to prepare images manually. IronBarcode accepts multi-page image files directly and handles the processing internally. Can multiple barcodes be detected in a single image? Yes, IronBarcode can detect multiple barcodes in a single image by setting the `ExpectMultipleBarcodes` option to true in the `BarcodeReaderOptions` class. What is the purpose of using image filters in barcode reading? Image filters, such as Grayscale, SharpenFilter, and ContrastFilter, are used to improve the clarity and details of images, enhancing barcode detection and reading accuracy. Hairil Hasyimi Bin Omar Chat with engineering team now Software Engineer Like all great engineers, Hairil is an avid learner. He’s refining his knowledge of C#, Python, and Java, using that knowledge to add value to team members across Iron Software. Hairil joined the Iron Software team from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical and Process Engineering. Ready to Get Started? Free NuGet Download Total downloads: 1,743,856 View Licenses