Question for Southern

[Digits]

Since there is always alot of interest, especially from Rhom about image quality versus filesize. I notice as you are transfering your gallery over to the Zbrush gallery at Renderosity all your images are amazingly small filesize as compared to image size. Whats the secret? All your images are sharp, clear and of course brilliant and yet smaller than my usual 640X480

your Flaming Clown for instance is at 500X624 and weighs in at 49kb!

[s o u t h e r n]

Hi Digits,

I run all my images through Photoshop to add text, crop, add a border etc. When I am ready to save the image as a JPG I use the `SAVE FOR WEB` option.

This gives me a window that has upto 4 different pre set options.

1.One is the original image in it`s native format eg. PSD

2. Two is a GIF with 64 colours and transparent background

3. Is a JPG with the compression set to HIGH QUALITY

4. IS a JPG with MEDIUM QUALITY.

The program gives you the ability to look at what these images would look like in the setting you choose. I most often use JPG and HIGH QUALITY and that keeps most images at around 50-100K which is cool and acceptable for download.

I have used Paintshop Pro in the past but Photoshop seems to be the best for me.

What does everyone else do?

S O U T H E R N (http://www.southerngfx.co.uk)
http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-987855987hvo.jpg

[CDEdwards]

PaintShop Pro here, JPG default compression.

[Digits]

I have Photoshop 5.5 light, but yes it gives you quality but no preview. I spect I have been using more quality than I need to for a web page. I experimented on one of your images. I usually use 7 (high) and I used (4) and got almost the same filesize as you.
Good to know to keep them poor modem user's from yelling at me :)

[Kruzr]

:) 'Morning Southern.....Long time no see??? I heard you won the big lottery & moved to Tahiti??? :D I use PhotoShop 5.5 to do all my editing, I've got Paint Shop Pro ver. 7, but don't use it too much any more. Have a good one..... :cool: Mark.

PS: What version of PhotoShop do you use Southern? I'm using 5.5, but I've had version 6 sitting over here for about 2 months ( Unopened ). I've read about SO MANY problems with it at the Official PhotoShop Forum, I choose not to install it at this time. If you do use version 6, what's your opinion???

[CDEdwards]

I don't use PSP much anymore either Kruzr. Once ZBrush supports JPG exportation and better inter-material anti-aliasing/blending, I won't have to use PSP at all. :)

[Dragon]

Well, hi all. I apologize I have not come here sooner as I have been very busy.

Kruzr, they have been issues with Photoshop 6.0, however, most problems have been fixed with there 6.01 update that you can download from Adobes site for free.

I use Photoshop 6.01 here at work and love it. I will, of course, be getting my upgrade for home soon.

What I mainly love about version 6.0/6.01 now, is that it supports RGB ICC profiles. This means, you can now profile your non-PS printer. Not to mention, they finally seem to have fixed CMS (they broke it back in version 4.0).

So, install 6.0, go get the update and enjoy Photoshop. The 2 tools I most use now are ZBrush and Photoshop. I cannot live without these two. And I know, Southern agrees.

Till the next one.

Dragon out.

[Kruzr]

:) Hi Dragon.....Thanks for the information. I'm just about due for an upgrade to my operating system, right now I'm running 98 SE & I'm thinking seriously about moving up to 2000. Everything I've read & heard from users say it's a much more stable system, plus a lot friendlier system, so maybe I'll load PhotoShop 6 once I upgrade to 2000. Have a good afternoon..... :cool: Mark.

[CDEdwards]

Kruzr, just beware that you should make sure your existing hardware is compatible with Win 2000. I had trouble getting some of my devices to work with 2000.

[Lockdown]

Sweet we have a Paintshop Pro man in the house...that's good. I actually find PSP to be more usefull then Photoshop :p . Another good program for those looking for 3d text effects...check out Ulead Cool 3D or Xara 3D... :D