Optimizing images

Reducing the file size of your images before you import them into VideoScribe is helpful. This article will show you how...

Bitmaps and SVGs containing bitmaps

Before you import your JPG or PNG image into VideoScribe, use one of these programs to reduce the file size to below 300kb. 

• Image resizer (PC version and Mac version) - image resizer is a great way to reduce the size of your images without loss of quality. If you do not need any of the advanced features of Photoshop or GIMP, this method of reducing file size is highly recommended as it is really quick and gives great results.
• TinyPNG - excellent online option for reducing the size of PNG and JPG images without noticeable loss of quality.
• GIMP is an excellent free image editing package. See this GIMP tutorial for information about the different ways to reduce the file size of your images.
• Photoshop - see this Photoshop tutorial on resizing images.

If you are going to embed a bitmap image into an SVG you should use one of the above tools to reduce the size of your bitmap before you import it into your SVG editor. SVG files that do not contain bitmaps should be below 80kb in size but if you are embedding a bitmap into your SVG the file size is going to be higher depending on the size of your bitmap. Remember to select ‘embed’ (not ‘link’) in the save options when saving your SVG - see our guide on creating your own images for the correct settings to choose when saving.

SVGs (without embedded bitmaps)

SVG images must be created in a particular way to work and draw well in VideoScribe. If you have found SVG images on the internet, unless they were made especially for use in VideoScribe, it is unlikely that they will draw well.

To optimize SVGs in an SVG editor you should:

• Look for large numbers of nodes and reduce the number using the ‘Simplify’ command.
• Delete any hidden layers.
• Remove any clipping masks.
• Make sure the image is not just a bitmap saved as an SVG - in this case you should export it as a bitmap from your SVG editor and process it with one of the suggested applications above (under ‘Bitmaps and SVGs containing bitmaps’).

You can then run your SVG through a program such as svgcleaner by RazrFalcon, which is a great tool for reducing the size of SVGs by removing unnecessary data. 

NOTE: svgcleaner will ungroup groups so if you have nested groups you may need to adjust the stroke order after cleaning your SVG. If you would like to keep the groups when using svgcleaner, uncheck 'Ungroup groups' in the 'Elements' preferences tab.

The article on creating your own images will help you to edit an SVG you have found to make it draw better or to create an SVG from scratch that is already optimised.

Animated GIFs

Keep the file size of your finished GIF as small as possible to avoid any problems with the import or playback. The GIFs available in the VideoScribe library are under 300kb and we recommend keeping your own files at or below this size.
ezgif's optimise tool will reduce the size of your animated GIFs – by reducing the number of colours used and/or removing frames that aren’t essential to the final effect.

Find out more about using animated GIFs in VideoScribe.