Optimization: Standard Settings

As you already know, the optimization is a search for the best image quality / file size balance. We have to remember about visitors with slower Internet connection.

1. So, run ImageReady

2. Open your file.

3. Click the Optimized tab on the image window to preview a web optimized picture.

4. Open the Optimize palette. If you can't find it in your workarea pull down menu Window > Optimize.

5. Open Settings menu on Optimize palette (screenshot) and test the standard settings. Look at the image window and note how image quality and file size (on status bar of image window) change.
We can choose from 4 web formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG-8 and PNG-24. In this tutorial I will use JPEG and GIF optimization only, because of more favorable size-to-quality ratio.

6. Tabs 2-Up and 4-Up on the image window allow us to view the original image and its optimized preview(s) simultaneously. While testing the optimization settings use all (Optimized, 2-Up and 4-Up) viewing options to find the most suitable.

NB Make sure that Auto Regenerate option in the Optimize palette's menu is selected (screenshot). Otherwise, the optimized preview and image data won't renew automatically.

If you feel that standard optimization settings are OK with you, and the diminishing by a few more Kb file size isn't worthwhile, you may jump immediately to the next topic. If you want to know more about optimization, let's move to the custom optimization settings.