Optimizing A JPEG Image In Adobe Photoshop CS - Save For The Web Feature - Page 2

Project Information: • Skill level: Basic • Adobe^R Photoshop^R CS • General tips

Step 3. Compare previews. Click on the 4-Up tab to view the original image and the previews for the three default compression settings. Now click on the upper right preview to make it active. You will see a thin gray border around this preview indicating that it is the active preview. At the right of the preview you will find the File Format pop-up menu. Choose JPEG from the pop-up menu. Under that is the Compression Quality pop-up menu. Choose High from this menu. Now click on the small arrow at the right to open the Optimize pop-up menu. Click on Repopulate Views in this menu. This last step will reset the three previews to your current JPEG High setting. You are now ready to compare the three previews.

Preview 1 - High

JPEG - 60 quality
29.09 K
11 sec at 28.8 Kbps

Preview 2 - Medium

JPEG - 30 quality
14.02 K
6 sec at 28.8 Kbps

Preview 3 - Low

JPEG - 15 quality
9.32 K
4 sec at 28.8 Kbps

The previews show how your image will appear at each default compression setting. The upper right preview shows your image at the High compression quality. At this setting there is little compression of the image file and as you can see, there is not much loss of image quality. (There is not much difference between the original and this preview.) The next preview (lower left pane) shows your image at the Medium compression quality. When you examine this preview you will see that the image quality begins to lessen. However, depending on your image, this may be acceptable to you. The third preview (lower right) shows the image at the Low compression quality. In this preview your image quality is much lower than the first preview. Again, depending on your image, you may decide that this image quality is acceptable for your purposes.

Now that you have decided which image looks best, you are ready to evaluate the estimated download times. Under each preview is the download information for that setting. It shows the estimated size of the file after compression and the time it will take to appear on the webpage. Your final decision will be a compromise between the image quality and download time.

Step 4. Take a closer look before deciding. To zoom in on the image you can use the Zoom text box at the bottom or the Zoom tool (magnifying glass) in the Toolbox at the upper left. Also in the Toolbox you will find the Hand tool. Use the Hand tool to move the image within the preview pane. To view any of the previews by itself in a larger pane, first click on that preview to make it active. Then click on the Optimized tab at the top of the dialog box.

Step 5. Save your optimized image. When you have chosen the best compression setting for your image, click on that preview and then click on the Save button to open the Save Optimized As dialog box. Browse to the correct folder, name your image and click Save.

(Note: If you prefer to use your own compression settings, you can make adjustments to the default settings with the controls on the right of the dialog box.)

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