Design Challenge #8 - November 2012

[missdamsel]

I guess I did my template for no reason. Now it is past the deadline and still no answer to my question.

This makes me sad since I haven't missed a designer challenge since month 2 when I started.

[afirmbeliever]

Originally Posted by missdamsel

I sent a message to Frogfish, but I wanted to post here in case you ladies have a suggestion for me....

I have my template ready. I have 4 files (TIFF, PSD, PNGs and Page files) In each file I ONLY have the preview, TOU and the actual file, but 3 of the 4 are above the 75MB limit. What should I do?? Is there a way to save them so they are smaller???

I wish I could help you out with this, but don't really know. If Christina (FrogFish) hasn't gotten back to you, she must be really busy. I know you missed the deadline, but if she can help you out, I'm sure she be able to let you in the challenge if she can. She's been able to help me out in the past. Weekends seem to take many scrappers off the boards. So maybe try writing her again tomorrow. Wish I could help you more. I don't do templates (at least not often), so this is the first Designer challenge I've missed. . But I'll be back next month.

[Fran98765]

MissDamsel you might want to check how you saved your files, templates should not be that large, unless you have a lot of transparent layers like blended masks.

Also, the colors you use will determine file size. Brighter, more vibrant colors take up more file size. Try changing things to shades of gray to reduce file size. Do not use texture on your layers, keep everything plain.

If you have a lot of similar flowers or elements on your template, you might want to consider putting them on the same layer, that will reduce file size.

My templates are typically less than 10mb and that includes the png, the tif and the png layers in one folder.

When saving tif files, you should use these settings in PS/PSE:
Image Compression - LZW
Pixel Order - Interlayed
Layer Compression - ZIP
this will hugely reduce tif size.

Hope this helps.

[larkd]

Good info Fran. I wasn't aware that color choices impact file size. Gonna watch that from now on.

[Pooh46]

Yes, great information, Fran! I'm not participating in this challenge, but I'll remember this if I ever decide to make templates! Thanks!

[afirmbeliever]

Originally Posted by Pooh46

Yes, great information, Fran! I'm not participating in this challenge, but I'll remember this if I ever decide to make templates! Thanks!

My thoughts exactly. I make templates from time to time and had no idea. This is definitely great info to have. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!

[Romajo]

Not sure if I already said it, but I'm joining in the bloghop, too.
Christina, you should have my template already, don't you? If not, I'm too late too... :-( (Well, just checked my sent items... it was sent to you on 11-09-12, so you should have it).
Is it still going to be revealed this Friday? I haven't heard anything about it yet...

[frogfish]

Here's the scoop since I've been gone for so long...

I have templates from:
Fran
Larkd
Romajo
Msbagley (2)
Msdamsel
ChefMinnieMouse

I'm waiting on the last ones to come from scrappinnewbie (Melinda) -- SBC conversions.

The blog hop will include:
Fran
Romajo
Msbagley
ChefMinnieMouse

If I missed you on either of the lists, please let me know ASAP because we are still going to reveal this Friday!

Thanks to all of you for participating and sticking with me through my absence!

[missdamsel]

Thanks I did find out I was saving the TIFF wrong, fixed that.

I don't have a lot of duplicate layers and no masking and all shades of gray (maybe 50... lol) Sorry couldn't resist that!

Not sure why they are so big. I sent them via dropbox to Christina (I think that is her name, I keep forgetting) so maybe she can make some suggestions too!

Originally Posted by Fran98765

MissDamsel you might want to check how you saved your files, templates should not be that large, unless you have a lot of transparent layers like blended masks.

Also, the colors you use will determine file size. Brighter, more vibrant colors take up more file size. Try changing things to shades of gray to reduce file size. Do not use texture on your layers, keep everything plain.

If you have a lot of similar flowers or elements on your template, you might want to consider putting them on the same layer, that will reduce file size.

My templates are typically less than 10mb and that includes the png, the tif and the png layers in one folder.

When saving tif files, you should use these settings in PS/PSE:
Image Compression - LZW
Pixel Order - Interlayed
Layer Compression - ZIP
this will hugely reduce tif size.

Hope this helps.

[missdamsel]

Christina,

If you need more templates you can include the CA and FL templates from my template challenge last month.

Just let me know.