The ultimate goal in Web graphic design is to create great looking images that download as fast as possible. To do that, you must reduce the number of colors, select a format with the best compression for your image, and maintain as much quality as possible. This balancing act is known as optimization—finding the right mix of color, compression, and quality.
In Fireworks, optimization settings apply only to exported images. Therefore, you can work freely through the creative process of design without worrying too much about limiting color usage or applying effects. Then, choose, customize, and compare optimization settings that are best for your image when you are ready to export.
Optimizing images in Fireworks is a three-part task:
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Choose the best file format. Each file format has a different way of compressing color information in the file. Choosing the appropriate format for certain types of graphics can greatly reduce file size. |
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Set format-specific options. Each Web file format has a unique set of options for controlling image compression. For example, you can use dithering on a GIF to compensate for fewer colors stored in the image, and you can use smoothing on a JPEG to blur the image slightly, which helps JPEG compression reduce the file size. |
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Adjust the colors in the image. Limit colors by confining the image to a specific set of colors, called a color palette. Then, trim unused colors from the color palette. Fewer colors in the palette means fewer colors in the image, which results in smaller file size. Reducing the number of colors can also diminish image quality, so you must try various color palettes to find the best balance of quality and size. |