Creating Web Graphics and Animation > About compressing artwork for the Web |
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About compressing artwork for the Web
When preparing images for display on the Web, you compress the images to reduce file size and control the display of color and other attributes. You can compress FreeHand artwork as a bitmap image in GIF, JPEG, or PNG format.
Note: You can also export FreeHand vector artwork in SWF format, to compress static artwork or to export a document with animation or Flash actions. For more information, see Animating objects and text, Assigning Flash actions, Exporting Flash movies, and Exporting files.
When compressing artwork in a bitmap format, you should choose a file format based on the color and tonal characteristics of the original artwork, and on the type of browser you expect your Web audience to have.
In general, the GIF format is best for illustrations with flat color and sharp detail, such as type. The JPEG format is best for artwork with a wide range of colors or continuous-tone color, such as gradients or scanned photographs. The PNG format, like JPEG, preserves a wide range of colors. However, the PNG format is not as widely supported as the JPEG format for display in browsers.
For detailed information on using these file formats, see GIF, JPEG (.jpg), and PNG (.png).
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