Need help with resizing in PSP

[LJSDesigns]

So I've been playing around trying to find the best way to resize and sharpen my layouts for the gallery, but I am stymied by how to get the file size I want in PSP.

Currently I save my layout as a merged file, resize it at 72 dpi and 600x600 and then I use the unsharp mask as my final step and save as a jpeg. My layouts do look better, but I haven't yet figured out how to choose my file size without going through the jpeg optimizer. When I do that I can choose my file size, but then I have to go back and use the unsharp mask and resave the file and it loses something in the second save and does not look as good.

Can any PSP users walk me through how they save their pages for the gallery? I'd appreciate it a lot.

 

[jessica31876]

There is a save jpeg for web option and you can use it after what you are already doing. I go up to ten on the slider with that to get my files under the maximum size.

 

[iScrap]

I flatten all my layers, then resize to web size, then I sharpen. Then I export that through the jpeg optimizer at the file highest resolution I can based upon filesize.

I don't save the jpeg first, then use the optimizer. When you save the jpeg first, it saves it at a lower resolution which is likely how you're losing quality when you bring it back through the optimizer.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[jessica31876]

Here is what I do:
Merge visible (I do this so if anything is hanging over the edge it cuts that off)
Resize to 600x600 @ 72dpi
Sharpen
Click save for web-jpg and slide the little slider over to get it under the size. I try to keep it under 10. If it is to large sometimes i will save it at 72 dpi 550x550

 

[nikkiARNGwife]

I merge all layers, resize for web and then run an unsharp mask (I actually made a script that does this step for me) and then export through the jpeg optimizer to below 200 kB. I do not sharpen again after this. I think sometimes you can sharpen too much and it ends up looking funky.

 

[LJSDesigns]

Thanks everyone! It seems I've been doing all the steps but not in the right order. I will give each of your suggestions a try.

 

[Stacey42]

I do what Nikki does. I made a script that does the whole thing for me, letting me set the optimize size and then it saves it to my export folder.

Once you get a sequence going that you like create a script for it, it makes the process so much easier.

 

[LJSDesigns]

I do what Nikki does. I made a script that does the whole thing for me, letting me set the optimize size and then it saves it to my export folder.

Once you get a sequence going that you like create a script for it, it makes the process so much easier.

I'm really just starting to discover scripts, Ii created my first one for shadowing my papers last week, and am appreciating what they can do. As soon as I get it all worked out, I will create one for it.