An Image Reference is used to select an external image file for an usage shown in the view (defined by general views). This can be a background image (e.g. a floor plan) or smaller images showing symbols. Images can be scaled to fit nicely for the view displayed.
Images are also used to show states of objects in the view, e.g. if a relay is turned on or off. For this purpose “animated gifs” are used, which are image files with several frames that can be used for animated images, Depending on the state of the object SAFO picks a frame for the display. So for instance an object on the view can change the color from red to green, or a switch can be shown graphically as on or off, just by selecting the appropriate frame.