Shrinking large JPEG files in PSE

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Shrinking large JPEG files in PSE

I was working on a layout today, using a heavily layered template file. I was able to save it as an editable photoshop file just fine, but when I try to save it as a jpeg for uploading on here and my usual photo printing site, I can't seem to make the file small enough. I already tried deleting all of the hidden layers and flattening the image, but even on the lowest image quality setting, it's still over 12 MB. Is there some trick that I'm missing, or anything else that I can do to make this a smaller file size?

I always open my files in MS PAINT and then RESIZE them. Even one of my upcoming LO's that hasn't been uploaded yet. This LO has way more photos than I usually use - and thus has tons of layers - at least 25 layers. Once the layers are flattened (or merged in paint dot net which is the program I use), then it is easy to resize the LO in MS Paint and then save and upload.

Thanks, Robynne! I did manage to get it resized in another program.

Hi Becky. I have PSE 14, so maybe other versions are different, but have you tried "Save for Web" under the File tab? There is some flexibility there on manipulating file size.

If you are using photoshop ... export, save for web .. this will bring up a window with options for changing your ppi and/or size etc ... before saving use command/option/shift/E keys to give you a merged copy of your piece first without flattening your layers or reducing them.

If you are using photoshop ... export, save for web .. this will bring up a window with options for changing your ppi and/or size etc ... before saving use command/option/shift/E keys to give you a merged copy of your piece first without flattening your layers or reducing them. ... that on a MAC ... so it would be control/alt/shift/E on the PC

One of the things to consider is that you have a saved copy of your PSE file before doing anything else. It is always nice to go back to the original to make changes or corrections.

Celestine and Susan - thanks for the tips!

Judy- I do make sure to save all of my pages as PSE files before flattening and saving as jpegs. I feel a little more secure that way, since I have had to go back and alter pages before. smiley