Using a droplet to automate optimization settings (ImageReady)

You can save Optimize palette settings for use on individual images or batches of images by creating a droplet, a small application that applies the optimization settings to an image or batch of images that you drag over the droplet icon. You can drag a droplet to the desktop or save it to a location on disk. When you create the droplet you can choose where the images will be saved. When you drag an image over it, the droplet launches ImageReady if the program is not currently running.

Note: You can also drag a droplet onto the ImageReady Actions palette to create an action step, or you can drag a droplet onto a slice to apply the optimization settings to the slice.

To create a droplet for automating Optimize palette settings:

1. With an image displayed in the image window, choose a compression format and compression options in the Optimize palette.
2. Create a droplet:
• Drag the droplet icon from the Optimize palette onto the desktop.

The droplet is named with a brief description of the compression settings, including file format and color palette or quality setting information. You can rename the droplet as you do other desktop icons.

• Click the droplet icon on the Optimize palette. Name the droplet, choose a location where the droplet will be saved, and click Save.
• Choose Create Droplet from the Optimize palette menu. Name the droplet, choose a location where the droplet will be saved, and click Save.

To use a droplet:

1. Drag a single image or a folder of images onto the droplet icon.

As the images are processed, a progress bar appears.

2. Do any of the following to control the processing:
• To temporarily pause the processing, click Pause. You can then click Resume to continue the processing.
• To cancel the processing, click Stop.
• Let the process finish on its own.

For more information on working with droplets, see Using droplets.