Compressing images to a target jpeg file size - how to?

[Pupp]

Need to produce a couple of images at 500kb file sizes and retain as much quality as poss (to be printed 8x10 inch) - it's prolly easy in CS2 to achieve this but I'm buggered if I can suss it (normally save at max size). Quick pointer anyone please

[Simpo Two]

Pupp said:

Need to produce a couple of images at 500kb file sizes and retain as much quality as poss (to be printed 8x10 inch) - it's prolly easy in CS2 to achieve this but I'm buggered if I can suss it (normally save at max size). Quick pointer anyone please

I'd aim for 2,000px wide to start with, which dumps a lot of file size, then using 'Save As' see which compression from 0-12 gets me closest to 500Kb.

[VxDuncan]

Use Photoshops "save for the Web" function (file menu). THis will tell you the file size as you adjust the compression and image size options etc.

I've found if you need small file sizes you can get better quality by using more compression on a large (pixel dimensions) image than using a smaller image at lower compression. Don't rescale that image before you've tried it!

[Simpo Two]

VxDuncan said:

Use Photoshops "save for the Web" function (file menu). THis will tell you the file size as you adjust the compression

So does 'Save As'. But I agree Save for Web is very good for web.

[flat-planedCrank]

IMO best way to get an exact filesize jpg out of photoshop :

(This is from an old photoshop version, might be slightly different in newer releases)

• File -> 'Save For Web'
• In the window that opens - on the right hand side there is a drop-down menu - select 'Optimize to File Size' from the drop-down.
• In the window that opens - for the 'Desired File Size' entry type '500'. Press OK.

The main 'Save For Web' dialogue is now set at the closest possible setting to your 500k target.

• Press OK for the 'Save For Web' dialogue.

Done



Cheers.

[Pupp]

Cheers all. Appreciated

[miniman]

But doesn't "save for web" output a GIF not a JPG?

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

500kb printed on 10x8 might be a bit of an issue quality wise for pictures with a lot of detail. Mind me asking why there's such a restriction on size?

[Altrezia]

miniman said:

But doesn't "save for web" output a GIF not a JPG?

Depends what you choose. Can do PNG, Jpeg, Gif, etc.

[Pupp]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

500kb printed on 10x8 might be a bit of an issue quality wise for pictures with a lot of detail. Mind me asking why there's such a restriction on size?

It's part of the rules for a comp I'm entering. Suspect it's to facilitate stuff being emailed around.