how to compress graphics?

[cluless]

I am a newbie and just created a site with many images. I read somewhere that I could increase my pages' download time if I "compress" the images. What does this mean and how do I do it?

Thanks in advance,
cluless

[Stefan]

Originally posted by cluless
I read somewhere that I could increase my pages' download time

Why would you want to increase the tiome it takes to download and view your site?

[Ribeyed]

hi,
just to add some information to this thread.

If you open a gif or jpeg in say photoshop and the export for use on web you will get a smaller file than if you were exporting for general use. If however you have fireworks and you open the same image and again export or save for web you actually get a smaller file size then you would through photoshop.
I know it doesn't answer your question but i just thought it would be useful.

[cluless]

I meant "decrease" not increase.

[dismaldonkey]

When you place an image on a webpage (a photo or a gif etc), the actual physical size of the un-optimised image may be about 1200 x 900 and be about 500k in file size. On your website you specify the dimensions of the image e.g. <img src="pic1.jpg" width="304" height="182">. When someone downloads your website they have to download the full 500k of the image, the browser then squeezes it into the dimensions specified.
If the image is optimized into a smaller size, i.e. make the image physically only 304 x 182, then the file size will be correspondingly smaller and the image will need less time to download.

Does that make sense?

There are quite a few free image optimisers available on the web.

[bellybytes]

Speaking of optimizing - does anyone else have the problem where when using the .gif optimizer in PSP7, the picture comes out looking really awful? I play with the settings, but it always distorts the quality. Also, when you just use "Save as", set it to optimize medium - or something like that (yup...PSP newbie ) and then save as a .gif, it's fine, but if you put it to save as web safe colors, it distorts it really bad, too.

Did I explain that all right?? Just ask questions if I didn't - and thanks.

[..::Bro::..]

if you want to "decrease" your downloading time... use this
service... it will automatically give you:

your image,
how long it took,
and,
"optimized versions" of your graphics right online!

All free...

(TIP) I use this service to test all my sites downloading
times & errors... great service.

http://netmechanic.com/toolbox/html-code.htm

cheers,

..:: Bro ::..

[..::Bro::..]

Originally posted by bellybytes
Speaking of optimizing - does anyone else have the problem where when using the .gif optimizer in PSP7, the picture comes out looking really awful? I play with the settings, but it always distorts the quality. Also, when you just use "Save as", set it to optimize medium - or something like that (yup...PSP newbie ) and then save as a .gif, it's fine, but if you put it to save as web safe colors, it distorts it really bad, too.

Did I explain that all right?? Just ask questions if I didn't - and thanks.

Do you use "Web Safe Colors" to begin with? I used to use
all colors and it would do the same thing because now it's
pulling for different colors and changing your graphic colors
for the "web safe colors".

Try that (using web safe colors 1st). If your still having
problems... private message me & I will load PSP to
figure it out (later)

Cheers,

..:: Bro ::..

[bellybytes]

Thanks, bro - I'm so new at this stuff I'm not sure what I'm doing!!! I just know there are certain features that don't work unless you're in 16.7 million (I think that's right) colors, so I make changes, then go to save as web safe and it looks like he**, so I guess I'm not starting with web safe colors. Aren't a lot of features disabled then? Or am I not getting something - do tell me if I'm not, because this has been stumping me for some time. I've just been saving them in that medium-cut or median-optimized - something like that because that's the only way they retain any quality. And the .gif optimizer! YIKES! That REALLY makes them look horrible!!

[..::Bro::..]

Here was one of my 1st tutorials I read on
"Optimizing Graphics"

try & print it all out so that you read it thoroughly, this is
in simple language (thank god I would be a gonner if it wasn't) and you will learn what happens to your images...

If this doesn't help (back to the drawing board I go)

You will also find the link to this site at the top of every
page within (WEB DEVELOPER )

http://www.htmlgoodies.com/tutors/image_formats.html

cya

..:: Bro ::..

[..::Bro::..]

When I say 250 colors it also includes all shades of that
specific color as well.... it's actually a wide variety but it
does have it's draw-backs...

..:: Bro ::..

[bellybytes]

Thanks for the link, Bro - looks like it will be VERY helpful. I may even print it so I can concentrate (always going in at least five directions when i'm online !

in simple language (thank god I would be a gonner if it wasn't)

I hear that!!!

You will also find the link to this site at the top of every page within

I noticed that! What I can't believe is that I didn't notice this site had forums before - I've been coming here for over two years and even get the newsletter - and I've been looking for a Webmaster forum to join for quite a while. Here that link was there and I first saw it the other day while reading a tutorial on PERL and CGI - DOH! (So engrossed in the tutorials I don't look around I guess) Anyway, I finally looked around for a change, found the "discussions" link and jumped right on over and signed up - glad I did, too.

Now I'm babbling - I do really appreciate this - from what I did glance at it looks like it will be a tremendous help.

[DaveSW]

In PSP7 I find the jpeg optimizer better than the jpeg one. Use File, Export, Jpeg Optimizer, and choose a value around 25 for good viewing/file size balance. Use the preview to find the best setting for your picture. It doesn't matter whether you choose standard or progressive downloads, but the whole wizard is a lot easier and the files look better too, whilst being smaller than the gifs in the ones I tried.

Dave

[bellybytes]

Thanks, Dave, I'll definitely give it a try. The only thing I ever had luck with as far as the gif optimizer is when I just am adding plain text to a background or something simple like that. Glad I'm not the only one who has this problem!!