Request for Animated WebP Support in Asset Browser

imgur.com/a/5kDC2CF

Dear Blender Development Team,

I hope this message finds you well.

I would like to propose the addition of a highly valuable feature to the Asset Browser in Blender: support for animated WebP files for asset previews. This enhancement would enable users to view animated previews of their assets directly within the Asset Browser, significantly improving workflow efficiency and asset management.

Currently, the ability to preview animations in the Asset Browser is limited to static images. By incorporating animated WebP files, users would be able to showcase looping previews of their assets, such as motion graphics or complex animations, in a more dynamic and informative way. This feature would not only streamline the asset selection process but also enhance the overall user experience within Blender.

If there are any existing techniques or workarounds to achieve this functionality in Blender at present, I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how to implement them.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Special thanks to Pablo Vazquez for always being responsive to user feedback and inquiries.

Best regards, Mahdi Shalchian