Optimize GIFs

I wrote this tutorial on my own.  Any similarity to another tutorial is purely coincidental.  I claim the copyright to my tutorial. You are free to do whatever you please with what you make, but please do not take my tutorial.  Do not send the tutorial through email.  Only share my link.

This tutorial is intended for a beginner to learn about optimizing GIFs in Image Ready.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

To do this tutorial you will also need Photoshop CS or CS2.  You may download a free trial at Adobe.

Remember to save as a .psd file often!

1.  Open up a document in ImageReady.

2.  In the image window, click on the 2-Up tab.

3.  Click on one of the sample images to change its default format

4.  Select the Optimize Palette.  Window > Optimize

5.  In the Optimize Palette, choose the format to be GIF (to optimize GIF)

6.  Click the Color Table arrow, and then select from the following Options:  Selective Reduction, Colors, Web Snap. 

7.  Click the Dither arrow, and then choose your options for Method and Amount.  I chose Diffusion at 100%.  You may want to try various settings until you fine the one you like best.

8.  Click the Transparency arrow, and then select from the following options:

Transparency -- Check to make the transparent areas save transparent
Matte-- Click to fill the transparent areas
Dither -- Click to select a a dithering scheme.  Dithering describes the amount for mixing of the matte color in with the transparent areas.

My settings are below:

9.  Click the Options arrow, and then select from the following options:

Interlaced -- loads image in three scans
Lossy -- how much image loss is allowed
Use Unified Color Table -- apply a universal color table to all images used in a rollover image
Add Metadata -- embed recoverable data about the files colors, creation, and author info

10.  Then save.  File > Save Optimized As

 Please do not remove this tutorial from my site.  Share my url.