PSP X4 jpeg compression too high

[yukoner2]

The PSP X4 that I have compresses jpegs to an extreme amount even when set on compression factor 1. (a 4000 kb jpeg gets compressed to 1900kb. The previous versions would not change the compression when you open a file and just save it without changes. This one cuts the file size in more than half.

I really like some of the new layout and features, however my clients won't accept a jpeg that is compressed that much. Anyone know if there's another setting I need to change to stop this?

Norm

[oldwolf]

Go to Save As --> Options --> choose Lossless encoding instead of Standard or Progressive.

[yukoner2]

Thanks Oldwolf. That helps, but still goes from 4300 to 3300. It will allow me to keep my clients happy though.
I'm still curious about why it compresses differently than previous versions though.

Have a great day and thanks for the suggestion.

Norm

[df]

I'm seeing much the same thing as yukoner2. Even saving as Lossless X4 loses something. Not happy about that. Lossless should be lossless. Saving 10x over and I can see a little something at the pixel level (viewed at 1000%), but it's not something I could see when viewing the full sized file.

[oldwolf]

No worries.

I have no idea why they compress it so much. I used to get much larger files in X2.

Not sure if I should be happy or complain about it hehe.

[yukoner2]

I will probably just stick with using X3 until an update is done to correct this. I'm concerned I will forget to set everything each time so am more inclined to use a version that causes less stress.

Norm

[Ken Berry]

First time I have heard X3 described as a version which causes less stress!! Makes you think, though...!!

[yukoner2]

Ken, at my age having to remember to do one more step is stressful.

All kidding aside though, having to be constantly monitoring what the compression level is at in order to complete the tasks I have at hand is just one more thing to deal with that I don't need. I really hope this is changed soon.

Norm

[df]

Once you set the compression level you shouldn't have to change it every time. It should be the same every time unless you reset the workspace or load a new one.
In my saved 10x test the file compressed the first save, but subsequent saves didn't see any (noticeable) file size change. An 8mb file saved to 5.3mb the first time and was still there at save #10. I didn't compare the first save to the last, just save #10 to the original.

[yukoner2]

Thanks Dan. I got that.

Unfortunately X4 compresses far too much on the first pass even when set on compression level 1.

So, I have to set it to non-compression to save (even then it still compresses). Then if I want to save something for use on the web or in email and want to compress it I have to go in, change the setting to one of the compression types and set the compression amount.

Then to go back to regular work I have to remember to reset it back to non-compression. Have never had to do that before as level 1 always gave just the right amount of compression for full res files and I would simply change to 20 for web; then back to 1 for full res.

Norm

[Kathy_9]

First time I have heard X3 described as a version which causes less stress!! Makes you think, though...!!

I had to sit on my hands so as not to comment on that.

Seriously though, I know what the OP was driving at. It's just with X3's history the comment made me laugh out loud.

[Hooterville]

Yes, X4 saves all files in a much lower quality then X3. I'm almost to the point where I don't even want to work on any pictures with X4 as the save quality sucks no matter what the setting.
I hope this is something Corel fixes along with all the other problems.

[yukoner2]

I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this. I was beginning to think so.

That being said, it's unfortunate because I can't use this latest iteration of what has, historically been an excellent photo editor. I hope someone from Corel is reading these posts. I really don't want to switch to the Adobe products in order to keep up with the latest.

I informed them during the beta testing via the survey they linked us to.

Norm

[Hooterville]

I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this. I was beginning to think so.

That being said, it's unfortunate because I can't use this latest iteration of what has, historically been an excellent photo editor. I hope someone from Corel is reading these posts. I really don't want to switch to the Adobe products in order to keep up with the latest.

I informed them during the beta testing via the survey they linked us to.

Norm

No, Norm
You are definitely not the only one. X4 has many of problems, save quality is a major one for me.
Just wondering when they will have an update for this mess?

Just made the same size new image in X3 and it saved at a little over 3MB, in X4 the exact same new image save at 873KB.

[Tadjio]

I think there is some confusion here between Quality and Compression.
If you do not change the default 'Compression' that ships with X4, which may be as high as 20,
then your Image Size may be Compressed much too small, with a resultant loss in Quality.

Having said that, although we can adjust the Compression, how do we measure the resultant Quality?

I decided to compare Compression using the JPEG Optimizer in X3 and X4 on the same Image:

• Original Image Size 7,002kb
  Compression 1: X3 = 12,326kb X4 = 7,834kb
  Compression 2: X3 = 8,697kb X4 = 6,605kb
  Compression 3: X3 = 8,090kb X4 = 5,936kb
  Compression 4: X3 = 7,507kb X4 = 5,360kb
  Compression 5: X3 = 6,919kb X4 = 4,721kb
  Compression 6: X3 = 5,836kb X4 = 4,176kb
  Compression 7: X3 = 5,424kb X4 = 3,747kb
  Compression 10: X3 = 4,020kb X4 = 2,925kb
  Compression 20: X3 = 2,457kb X4 = 1,864kb
  Compression 30: X3 = 1,477kb X4 = 1,448kb
  Compression 40: X3 = 1,023kb X4 = 1,207kb

What do I conclude?

• The Compression has obviously changed from X3 (and X2).
• A Compression of 'one' now writes a file roughly the same size as it was read.
• With X3 any Compression less than about 5 (it varies per camera and image)
  would produce a file larger than the original. I always used a Compression of 6.
• With X4 a lower Compression would be best to produce a 'comparable' image (say 2 for me)
• The two compression factors converge above about 20, certainly at 30 (my usual maximum)

Can anyone produce a 'Quality' comparison?