Optimizing Transparent gifs

Ugh...

[AlKikuras]

Here's what's happening:

I am using photodeluxe to cut a large jpeg into smaller pieces, then saving the images as transparent gifs. I then load them into Web Graphics Optimizer to (obviously) optimize the images for load time. The snag I am hitting is optimizing the images kills the transparency, at which point I open the optimized images in Photodeluxe again to re-set the transparency which, in turn, bumps the size of the images back up.

I have been searching high and low for an optimization program that preserves transparency, but haven't had any luck. Any tips would be VERY appreciated. Perhaps there is some basic knowledge I am lacking that would make this all much easier...

[Alternative Future]

Hi,

Fireworks is quite good by selecting WebSnapAd allows the image to remain in a semi reasonable state. It might be best to use PNG, which allows more colors than GIF and also transparency.

HTH,

-gs

[AlKikuras]

Thanks for the response. I experimented with using a PNG file and ran into the same problem.

Do you know if making an image transparent should, generally, increase the size(memory) of the image or is that just a fault of the program I am using to create the transparent image? (photodeluxe)

Again, if anyone knows of a program that optimizes while retaining transparency, please recommend it to me.

[Alternative Future]

Hi,

Do you know if making an image transparent should, generally, increase the size(memory) of the image or is that just a fault of the program I am using to create the transparent image? (photodeluxe)

When using fireworks this does not happen, but am not sure on how to answer the question as I am no graphics editor :(

-gs

[Edouard_H]

Transparency should not increase the file size. Can't help you as far as Photodeluxe is concerned, but PS Elements has good "save for web" features for quite a bit less than the full package.