Reducing file size in scanned drawings
This monochrome drawing, scanned and saved in uncompressed PICT or BMP format, takes 202 Kbytes.
(293 X 344 X 2 bytes/pixel = 201,584 bytes).
Saving in JPEG format (normal compression) reduces the file size to 22.5 Kbytes
Increasing contrast (to make the background pure white), reducing to 16 colors, and saving it in GIF format decreases the file size to 15 Kbytes.
How to do it:
Graphic Converter (Macintosh): Picture --> Colors --> Change to 16 colors (4 Bit), then
File --> Save As... --> Format --> GIF.
Paint Shop Pro (Windows): Colors --> Decrease Color Depth --> 16 colors (4 bit), then
File --> Save As... --> Save as type
--> GIF - Compuserve.
Further reducing to 4 colors decreases the file size to 6 Kbytes.
How to do it:
Graphic Converter (Macintosh): Picture --> Colors --> Change to 4 colors (2 Bit), then
File --> Save As... --> Format --> GIF.
Paint Shop Pro (Windows): (4 color option not available in version 4.1 shareware)