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Image Optimization

This tutorial is comprised of three sections. If you should have additional questions, feel free to contract a member of the DePauw Webteam and we will be happy to help » webteam@depauw.edu

  1. Why image file size matters
  2. What format to use
  3. Reducing the file size with Macromedia Fireworks

Why Image File Size Matters

Its all about speed. Downloading the graphical data from a webpage takes time. I’m sure you’ve experienced a website that was way too slow. On the web visitors tend to get frustrated if they have to wait more than a second or two, so it is necessary to make file sizes as small as possible. The best way to keep a website fast is to double check the file sizes of images – which are inherently larger files than text.

What Format Should I Use?

This is pretty straight forward. Thankfully there are only two main formats; GIF and JPEG (pronounced "jif" and "jay-peg" respectively).

GIF
General use:
icons, graphics
Color palette:
256 colors
Tips:
 Use GIFs for images with many solid colors and hard edges.

JPEG
General use:
photos, realistic images
Color palette:
16 million colors
Tips:
Use JPEGs for complex, realistic images that require many colors and must not look fuzzy.

Reducing the File Size with Fireworks

Next I will walk through the optimization of an image in Macromedia Fireworks.

Procede to the tutorial page

 

 

 

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