It is most important that your graphic files are properly prepared prior uploading. In order to assure your webpages will load as fast as possible, you graphic files should meet the Recommended Graphics File Criteria outlined below.

Recommended Graphics File Criteria
File Type:	".jpg" or "gif"
Max. File Size:	30 Kilobytes (or less)
Max. Dimensions:	250 x 250 pixels (or less)

The two most common graphics file types used on the internet are ".jpg" and ".gif"

Filenames ending ".jpg" extensions are generally used for photographs while filenames ending with ".gif" extensions are generally used for line drawings & cartoon style characters.

It is important for you to understand that working with ".jpg" and ".gif" files for use on the internet is different than working with them for use in a paper brochure or flyer.

Paper brochures or flyers generally require the image to be scanned into your computer at 100-300 dpi (dots per inch) to achieve the visual quality desired for printing. The actual size of these files may be quit large.

Working with ".jpg" and ".gif" files for use on the internet requires small file sizes in order to achieve a quick loading times for visitors. The larger the file size the longer visitors will need to wait for the image(s) to finish loading. The current standard resolution used for photo files on the internet is 72 dpi. All graphic files used on your website should have a resolution no greater than 72 dpi.

In addition to controlling the resolution of your graphic files to achiever smaller file sizes, you will also need reduce the actual physical size of the graphic files through the use of cropping tools along with compression techniques for "jpg" and color reduction techniques for "gif" files.

How do you reduce the resolution, properly size, use compression & color reduction techniques on your graphic files?
The quick answer is... with Software!   A more definitive answer is dependant on the software you are using. Every software package is different. Thus the exact procedure you need to follow is beyond the scope of this document. However, we can tell you where & what to look for!

The first place to look is in the software that came with your scanner or digital camera. Most scanners & digital cameras come with some type of image manipulation software which may contain the features you need. Some of the features to look for in any image manipulation software is it's ability to:

• Work with the ".jpg" & ".gif" file format.
• Reduce dpi resolution of you files.
• Accurately control the physical size of the image using Cropping & Resizing tools.
• Control the amount of compression used for ".jpg" files.
• Reduce the amount of colors used for ".gif" files.

If your scanning software does not have the features you need, then you will need to look at some additional software. There is a multitude of software available to choose from out there, some inexpensive and some real expensive. The software you choose does not need to be expensive as long as it accomplishes what you need.

Below is a software product by ArcSoft that we Highly Recommend:

• Photo Studio by ArcSoft
  It's an excellent inexpensive software package that has everything you need to properly prepare your photos for use on the internet.   We use it ourselves to prepare photos.   We like it so much we have even written some easy to following step by step instructions for it!   Photo Studio is available in both Windows & Mac versions.

  [ Click Here ] to obtain a copy of Photo Studio.

  [ Click Here ] to view our step by step instructions for Photo Studio.

  Below are some additional software programs we use from time to time:

• Paint Shop Pro ( a good all round graphics program for "gif" & "jpg" images )
• GIF Cruncher ( a good compression utility for "gif" images )