filb … irfanview supports the *.apng syntax in its native form (animated). here’s nice example of an *.apng file utilizing transparent bkgd:
http://solvedproblems.hydex11.net/old/Images/apng/firefox.png
one possibility is that it could be the method in how you installed the program. irfanview began supporting *.apng files in it’s 4.40 version (released 07-31-2015) … check to make sure you have that version. also, might be that you installed it to the wrong directory … should be program-files directory instead of program-files(x86) directory. irfanview4.42 does not need the special plugin package to view *.apng files. however, it should be noted, i d/l their *.zip file and then copied those to the required folder … instead of utilizing their installer package. main reason for this is that i do not trust the mirror they use (http://download.cnet.com).
http://www.irfanview.com/history_old.htm
http://www.irfanview.com/64bit.htm
there’s considerably more software that can work with *.apng files than previous:
however … browser support is very limited … basically, only firefox supports the *.apng extension. while i definitely prefer *.apng files over animated *.gif files … the latter can be viewed with, virtually, all browser platforms. used to be an extension that allowed *.apng files to render correctly on chrome browser … but one of the latest updates to the browser rendered the add-on useless. [thanks google, grrr] :mad:
http://solvedproblems.hydex11.net/old/34_What_about_Animated_PNGs.htm?h=apng
as you’ve already stated, filb … better quality imaging as well as color and transparencies are what compels me to work with *.apng files. you may consider playing around with animated *.svg files … but only if you’re handy with writing code.