Optimization

Q: What is optimization?
A:Optimization is a procedure to prepare media files for their maximum effectiveness and performance. For example, an image optimized for viewing on the Web is different than one optimized for high-resolution color printing.
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Q: How do I decrease my file size to print better and faster?
A: Save your file to Work in Progress as "NewschoolPDF" and print the pdf from Acrobat. If your PDF is still too big, use Acrobat Professional to optimize the file and reduce its size. To optimize, go to File > Save As > Optimized PDF. Set Settings as "newschoolPDF", leave everything else alone and click OK to save. To the file size, go to File > Save As > Reduced size PDF. Set Make compatible with to "Retain existing" and click OK to save.
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Q:What files should I consider optimizing and how?
A. File types you should consider optimizing are image (photo, animation, and video) and sound files. If files appear to decrease in performance as the file size increases, then consider optimizing it. The optimization process varies according to the media platform you are preparing for (Web, Computer Presentation, Print, Email). The following variables can help determine the degree of optimization of files: file type; file size; compression; resolution; and color mode.
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Q: What is recommended as "optimal"?
A: What is optimal varies according to the specifics of each project. Here are general guidelines.

		Web or Computer Presentation	B&W or Color Print
Image	File Type	• .jpg (raster/photo) • .gif (vector/logo) • .png	.pdf
	Resolution - dpi (dots per inch)	72 dpi	150 or 300 dpi
	File Size	< 1MB	< 5MB
	Color Mode	RGB, 256 Websafe colors	Grayscale, RGB or CMYK
Video	File Type	• Flash (.flv) • Windows Media (.wmv) • Quick Time (.mov) • Mpeg (.mpg or mpeg) • Real Video (.rm or ram)	Not Applicable
	Resolution	320 x 240 pixels, or similar
	File Size	<50MB (data rate <1MB/sec)
Animation	File Type	• Flash (.swf)
Animation	File Size	< 2MB
Sound	File Type	• .mp3 • Windows Media (.wma)
Sound	File Size	< 2MB (bitrate 168 or 192 kbps)

Q: How do I compress my files to make them smaller -- so I can save them in a small disk space or send them by email?
A:
Mac
1. In the finder select the file(s) you wish to compress.
2. Go to File > Create Archive of "your selected file".
3. Your compressed file will have the extension .zip added to it while keeping the same name as the original file(s). The file will be in the same folder as the original file(s).

Windows PC
1. Select the file to be compressed.
2. Right-click and select "Send To" and "Compressed (zipped) Folder". (See Figure 1.)
3. Your compressed file will have the extension .zip added to it while keeping the same name as the original file(s). The file will be in the same folder as the original file(s). (See Figure 2.)

Figure 1 Figure 2

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Q: What is the difference between vector and bitmapped graphics?
A:
Vector graphics create the image as a series of points, lines, arcs, and other geometric shapes. They can be resized and stretched to different sizes without losing visual properties, and they require less memory.
Bitmapped graphics are composed of rows and columns of dots showing more detail, color, and gradation, measured by DPI (dots per inch). Bitmaps require more memory and lose visual properties if resized.
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Last updated 08/17/2011