Save as and optimize

[nickelsto]

I am having difficulty understanding how "optimize" functions. After making extensive background color changes to an animation I discovered that when I "save optimized as" the color changes. I attempted to work in the optimized window but it does not allow me to. I check the "original" window and the color is correct, but the optimized is not. So I save it, close then open and sure enough the color is the incorrect "optimized" one rather than the original color.

I also tried simply "saving as" but then I can only save as a psd file.

I need to get a book to read about this and understand what is going on though I am in a bit of a hurry. I hope you don't mind I ask this probably simple question to be able to get a quick answer.

 

[audiopro]

Optimisation is a means of reducing the file size of the final image. It is a trade off between size and quality.
By reducing the number of colours, it is possible to significantly reduce the file size. This is not as important as it once was, as computers are faster and with the popularity of broadband, download bandwidth is hardly ever considered these days.
Always save a PSD version of your images as these are required if future editing is to be done. Your final picture should be saved out - 'save optimised as'.
One tip for keeping file sizes small would be to only use Web colours rather than in between shades.

Keith

http://www.studiosoft.co.uk

 

[nickelsto]

Thanks for your comments.

I have worked with photoshop for a long time so I know about optimizing. It seems photoshop has a lot more save options than imageready.

I have not found the way to save the file and maintain the animation colors exactly as I have created them. There doesn't seem to be a saving option that allows me to just save the damn thing without the program changing all of the coloring. What am I doing wrong?

 

[nickelsto]

Ok, I found it. In the optimization palette (Window>Optimize) if GIF is selected the program will optimize the colors according to GIF parameters. If you select JPEG then the program optimizes using the original colors.

I think this is solved. If not I'll be back

 

[Centrereed]

Jpeg might well keep the colours how you want them but you called it an animation and Jpeg's aren't animated.

 

[nickelsto]

Yes, I finally got it to save in the color I had created and maintain it's animation, though now I don't remember how I did it. But you are right, after posting I realized that I no longer had an animation when I saved as a jpeg.