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The New Adobe Wait-Loss Program

Graphics editor looks like Photoshop, offers speedy downloads.

By Paul Heltzel, PCWorld   

On the Web, there are big graphics and there are slow graphics, but they're not necessarily the same. With the right compression software, you can dramatically decrease the download time of your images. Adobe's name has been noticeably absent from the handful of tools available that let you shrink image file sizes. With ImageReady ($199), released this week, the company joins the fray.

The problem with compressing graphics is the loss of quality that comes with reducing the amount of data in a file. To help you judge which level of compression is acceptable, ImageReady instantly displays previews of the files so you can judge how they'll look in different browsers and operating systems.

ImageReady has an interface similar to Adobe's flagship Photoshop, but includes Web-centered features you won't find in the high-end tool. ImageReady lets you create GIF animations, tiled backgrounds, and image maps.

The program also allows batch processing so you can automate tasks without scripting. For example, you might set a compression level that you find acceptable and apply it to many images at once.

Competitors for your graphics-software dollar include Emblaze WebCharger ($99.95) and Raspberry Hill's GIF Wizard, a Web-based service (annual fee starts at $14.95). Both cost less but offer fewer features. At twice the price of WebCharger, ImageReady will appeal mainly to professional Web developers who use Photoshop.

The program is available now. Users of Adobe Photoshop 5.0 get a deal on the software--$99 through September 30.

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