IT Techies I need help?

[Mosi]

Just bought a new Canon Ixus V2 digi camera, and I cant for the life of me suss out how to make the images smaller in memory size ?

I can get them onto my PC using the Arcsoft software that came with it - but can I buggery get the gigagooly bytes??!! (or whatever they are called) down in order to download piccies onto the MLR picture gallery.

HELP???

[AndyS]

Try resizing them in something like PaintshopPro...

[chunky]

There are 2 ways to make the images smaller (in kb).

First is obvious: Reduce the size (resolution) of the images. Your camera probably takes pictures at 1600x1200, by simply resizing this image to 640x480 you'll make the image about 1/6th of the orginal in kb. Your camera probably also has the facility to take pictures at 800x600 or 640x480 aswell as the maximum resolution.

The second is a bit more of a black art: Compress the way the images are stored to make them smaller. I don't know what format the Ixus stores pictures in by default but it's either a non-compressed format like tiff or a compressed format like jpeg. There will be some settings on the camera to choose how much compression you wish applied to the shots you take. Once the shots are on your PC though it is easy to manipulate them in this way. The software you got with the camera will probably includes some image manipulating functions but many free and not-so-free programs are available to help you do this.

Compression need not adversely affect web image quality if used sensibly. It's always going to be a trade off between filesize and quality but in most cases a 60/40 or 70/30 split in favour of compression over quality will yield results that are almost indistiguishable from the originals for web work. Some shots with large areas of similar colours (sky, paint etc.) will compress more than ones with lots of detail (trees, complex reflections on water etc.)

Assuming you have sufficient memory capacity on the camera, aim to take pictures at maximum resolution with minimal (but not zero) compression, probably the 'second-top' option in quality. For shots you then wish to use on the web, resize and compress to make them smaller as required.

Let me know if you need any help.

[Mosi]

cheers chaps .... I'm still sat here surrounded by wires / leads / about 5 different manuals and no ***** clue!!

I hate instruction manuals with a passion!

[AndyS]

Originally posted by MOSI - TTVII
I hate instruction manuals with a passion! Which probably explains why no-one ever reads them. After all, if everyone hated you with a passion, would you be a good communicator? TFM has feelings too you know :D

[JUST CUSTARD PLC]

if all else fails, FDISK usually does the trick !

[AndyS]

..just not the trick he wants :D

[DrBob]

I'd leave the camera in its default settings - 1600x1200. You can set it to 640x480 if you like, but as Shorty says it's better to take higher quality pictures and rejig them on the PC. If you're running short of space on the camera get another CF card, I've got a 128MB card which holds over 200 pictures in high res.

The camera uses JPG format natively so they're already compressed.

I don't use the software that comes with the camera, I use Paint Shop Pro (http://www.jasc.com). Shorty's given you good advice regarding resizing etc. For uploading if you just resize the image that'll be fine, you can probably get away without doing anything else.

Another suggestion is to buy a USB compact flash reader for your PC, I find it far easier and quicker than connecting the camera. They're not much more than £20, Jessops (http://www.jessops.com) do them

[Davy T]

I use Photoshop, a professionals tool :D

[AndyS]

A bit over the top for just resizing an image though...

[Davy T]

Originally posted by AndyS
A bit over the top for just resizing an image though...

Not if you do it regularly, you can set up actions to resize images with a single click or even batch convert a whole load of 'em you've just taken off your camera, plus the 'Save for web' feature makes JPEGs EVEN smaller than a straight save, pretty trick, no? :D

I'll get me coat :)

[AndyS]

Originally posted by Davy T
I'll get me coat :)
That would be an anorak, I take it :D

[Davy T]

I walked straight in to that didn't I? :)

[JUST CUSTARD PLC]

391 was the best run, and lying is not in my make up.

[JUST CUSTARD PLC]

sorry to dissapoint, will try harder.........., maybe i should speak to a tuner, can anyone recommend a good un ??

[JUST CUSTARD PLC]

"more" optimistic ???????????

are you saying i AM lying ?

[JUST CUSTARD PLC]

i always pay attention............., im still waiting........

you did say "more" !

[Mosi]

Chaps,

I cant be arsed reading the instructions manual on this, as they are always written by some Tech Author nob, who doesnt make sense.

I STILL cant compress the bloomin pictures into anything near small enough to download onto this website for instance ??

HELP !!!!

[InsBro]

TT

I have got a licenced version of paint shop pro 5 which was free with an old digital camera i brought do u want a copy?

Its dead easy to use

I have an Ixus digital as well the ixus 300

Jeremy

[Mosi]

Jeremy - is it a piece of **** to use ?

If so, can you burn me a copy and bring it out on Sunday (Cheshire meet) ??

Muchos Gracias

[Davy T]

Steve,

If you're still having problems then mail me the pix and I'll resize / optimise them for you and mail you 'em back.

Much love

Davy T

[Brown Paper Bag]

Think we got bit of a thicko here :D