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Greenguy and Jim Webmaster Tip - Weekly Tip #63 |
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Tip #63: Batch Processing Using Macromedia Fireworks
by Lee of Smut Manor
When optimizing images for display on the web, I've found that Macromedia's Fireworks program has a batch processing function that's quick and easy. The interface was, to me, much more simple and intuitive than that of some of the other graphics programs I use. For the purposes of this tutorial, I'll be describing how I optimize full sized pictures before using Dreamweaver to automatically create galleries - a process described in another tutorial.
Start by finding the largest and the smallest photos (by file size) in the group that's to be optimized. Open them in Fireworks, and resize them to the desired dimensions (Modify>Canvas>Image Size). Then click the "Preview" tab at the top of the image window. Using the "Optimize" panel, adjust the quality until you find a setting that provides an acceptable balance between image quality and file size for both pictures. Make sure you write down or remember what the "quality" setting is, as you will be using this number shortly. You can now close both image files--click "no" when asked if you want to save changes.
When the window first opens, it will be displaying the directory from which the last image you opened came--it should be the one containing the two files you just worked on. Look at the field labelled "Files of type". Select the file type of your photos, and the file names should appear in the browser display. You can click "Add All" to add every jpeg in the folder to the batch, or highlight individual files and click "Add" to move individual files onto the list. When the list of image files to be processed contains all the desired pictures, click "Next".
Click "Scale", then the "Add" button. You will be presented with a choice of settings for determining how the images are resized--"to size", which will allow you to enter the exact dimensions you want the final images to be, "to fit area", which allows you to enter the maximum length and height of the processed images, and "to percentage", allowing you to enter a percentage by which each images dimensions will be affected. Usually, the group of images I'm working with contain some that are larger in height and some that are larger in width, so I choose "to fit area". I generally want my pictures to be 600 pixels on the long side, so I enter "600" for both Max height and Max width. Then click "Export" and "Add". In the settings field, enter the quality setting that was determined earlier. If it's not one of the presets, click "custom" and enter the setting you desire. Then click "Next".
This is where you determine where the processed batch of images will be deposited. If you leave the default setting activated, the files will be put back in the same place they came from. If you have not used a batch process function to change the name of the files in any way, they will overwrite the original files. This cannot be undone, so if you're not sure you won't be needing the original files anymore, click "Custom Location", then "Browse", and navigate to another directory. Your new files will end up there, and you will still have the originals available in their present location. An alternative is to click the "Backups" box. This will put the new files where the originals were, and the originals in a new folder labelled, logically, "Original Files". When you're satisfied with your settings, click "Batch". Fireworks will then process your images. When it's finished, a window will appear letting you know that the batch process is complete. Your newly sized images are now ready.
The batch processing function can enact many more changes on your files than are described here. Just play around with settings, try different options. You'll quickly find all sorts of uses for this handy application.
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Greenguy & Jim
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