"Save For Web & Devices..."-CS4

[Guest WPalank]

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The reason I am posting this is that I was having a specific problem when working in CS4 and using "Save for Web and Devices..."

When saving an image for this Forum (for example), I take the flattened TIFF that has been resized, sharpened, etc. and then go to "File> Save for Web & Devices...". I use the upper right fly out menu and use "Optimize to File Size.." and then in the resulting dialogue input "230 K" as our Forum will not accept images over 235 (me thinks). Upon hitting OK I was constantly getting a Jpeg Quality of "0", which is obviously unacceptable and creating a very mushy image. Now this never happened in CS3, I mean I had a 100% success rate in that piece of software. I finally had enough and posted the question with the screen-shot below in the NAPP Forums asking if I was missing a button or drop-down menu:

 

[ATTACH]152837[/ATTACH]

 

A very sharp Adobe Certified Trainer whom I consider a friend responded and said that checking the embed color profile button for some reason, adds a lot more weight to the image than CS3 ever did. By simply unchecking that box, circled in red above, everything is fine and dandy once again.

 

My minute problem after that was that every time I went to the "Save for Web..." the embed color profile button was always checked by default. Solution: Alt/Option (PC or Mac) changes one of the buttons in the lower right to "Remember".

I figured if I was having the problem, others were as well. (Not just you Wilfredo! )

[Shootist]

Thanks for posting this. I stopped using save for web because of the unpredictable result I got from it and made my own action to save for posting to these forums.

 

Since reading your post I may give it another try.

[Guest WPalank]

Worked for me when I was a bout to give up. The things I love about "Save fro Web.."

 

1) Automatically changes 16 bit to 8 bit.

2) If you have the check box checked, will automatically convert to sRGB.

3) By optimizing to file size, it gives you the absolute best quality Jpeg output for that specific image.

In other words, I've found that some images at the exact same size are saved as 95 quality and others are closer to 76. It depends on the specific image.

[roguewave]

William, the only potential hole I see is that you do the sharpening before you convert from Tiff to sRGB. I noticed a small but meaningful difference in output, but my stuff tends to be on the softer side. I think it prudent to sharpen after the conversion to sRGB, particularly if you use the saved settings or "save to file size". You have fewer pixels & both the radius (depth) & strength required for "optimal" sharpening (I always use Bruce's unsharp) changes on a steeper curve. You might try this on a sample image of yours to see if this is relevant.

[Guest WPalank]

Ben,

I have tried to recreate your hypothesis.

The same image taken to final output size as a 16 bit Tiff.

1) Converted to sRGB and then final sharpening with Photokit. Then convert to 8bit and save as a Jpeg at 225K, 7 setting.

2) Photokit Output sharpening (same as above) and then "Save For Web...". optimized file size to 225 K (staying consistent) which gave me a 62 quality.

 

[ATTACH]153645[/ATTACH]

 

 

[ATTACH]153644[/ATTACH]

 

 

No appreciable degradation in quality to mine eye, me thinks. At least on this image.

[jplomley]

When converting to sRGB, which rendering intent is being used?

[Guest WPalank]

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Jeff,

Good question. In my above example I used "Relative Colorimetric" with "Black Point Compensation" checked. Toggling between RC and Perceptual showed no difference with Preview checked.

[roguewave]

I don't see the settings "Relative Colorimetric" with "Black Point Compensation" so I assume that's the Photokit software. I still use PSCS3. I also start with a 16 bit Tiff. I make a preset of 83% quality with a file size of 220K. It took me a long time to calibrate the look I wanted to the file size for posting to the web & more specifically to the Forum. I continue to try & find a sweet spot that gives me a more realistic set of details on the place I want the eye to land on, within a frame that allows the mind to wander.

[Guest WPalank]

I don't see the settings "Relative Colorimetric" with "Black Point Compensation" so I assume that's the Photokit software. {snipped}

 

No Ben, it's in the dialogue box that comes up after you go to "Edit> Convert to Profile..." (on the Mac).

 

 

[ATTACH]154051[/ATTACH]

[roguewave]

No Ben, it's in the dialogue box that comes up after you go to "Edit> Convert to Profile..." (on the Mac).

 

 

[ATTACH]154051[/ATTACH]

 

No such thing on my Windows version of CS3PS.

[Guest WPalank]

No such thing on my Windows version of CS3PS.

 

Ben, I just opened CS3 and it's exactly the same as above and yes on a mac. I think you are using the command "Assign Profile" not "Convert to Profile". Big difference! That is possibly why you have been having so much trouble.

[Shootist]

Ben, I just opened CS3 and it's exactly the same as above and yes on a mac. I think you are using the command "Assign Profile" not "Convert to Profile". Big difference! That is possibly why you have been having so much trouble.

 

Will is correct. I suggest you never use "Assign Profile" as for me, in any PS version, it has unintended consequences. I always use Convert To Profile.