This
box contains a variety of options which may look
confusing at first, but are actually very simple.
I'll explain the variables that are most relevent
here. The rest should be fine as they are.
In order to best optimize your image, play around
a little with these options. Change a setting,
and then look at the picture to make sure the
quality hasn't been degraded. Choose settings
that do not degrade your picture quality, and
pay attention to the file size indicator in the
bottom left of the optimization window to find
the settings that render the smallest file size.
Note: This screen capture shows gif settings.
If you choose JPEG, you will have a slightly different
set of options. However, the process will remain
unchanged.
Settings: This box will drop
down a list of several preset options. More than
likely, unless you have time to messa round, you
will come to depend on this box, and will never
mess with the other more specific tweaks. It contains
several gif presets, and several jpeg presets.
If your image has few colors, play around with
the gif options until you get the smallest file
size without quality degradation. If your picture
is a photo, or contains a great deal of color
and gradients, use one of the jpeg settings. If
you are unsure, try both, and see which renders
the smallest file size.
Colors: This setting applies
only to GIF format. If you want to really optimize
your gifs, try the various presets until you find
the smallest file size without degradation. Then,
begin lowering the number value in the "Colors:"
field until you achieve the most optimal setting.
By doing this, you are removing unused colors
one at a time. Once you begin to dip into the
important colors, you will begin to see some degradation.
Move back up until the picture quality is back
to normal, and your picture will be extremely
well optimized.
Quality: This setting applies
only to JPEG format. To the left, you will see
a drop-down box with a variety of quality settings,
ranging from LOW to MAXIMUM. Just as you did with
the gif, find the setting that is smallest, but
does not degrade picture quality. Then, just as
you did with color reduction on the GIF menu,
slowly lower the "Quality:" numeric
value until you find the precise compression that
minimizes your file size while retaining good
picture quality. |
