So I uploaded a new pic today and I had a horrendous time getting the thumbnail to acceptable size. I couldn't for the life of me get it to 15k until I shrunk it to 100x100 at 72dpi and saved it with 0 as the jpeg quality. I have never had this much trouble making a thumb.

I'm using PS 5.0. And I'm self-taught so I know little about how the files are actually composited. If anyone has any suggestions, I would LOVE to hear them!

Teach me. I'm an empty vessel.
NAH

I usually crop a small segment of the actual image, selecting someting that may entice the viewer to take a look. I've not had a problem with thumbs being 200px-X-200px @ 72dpi with my JPG compression around 60-80. What was the file size of the full image? As a little tip, i often "flatten" the layers before i crop out my thumbnail area. REMEMBER to "save" your file BEFORE you flatten and crop. This way you can "revert" back to your layered full size file for further modification if you want. :) retrocity

also, i find that saving a thumb thru imageready produces higher quality thumbs at a lower file size. I don't use imageready for thumbs unless i encounter the same problem you did dude. Give it a run thru imageready and see what happens.

The original file was only about 300K, that's why I was so confused! And, of course, it was flattened as that's the only way to get a jpeg. I don't have imageready, but I'll see what I can do. Thanks!

Also I've found that the image file size that Photoshop says it is can be misleading since the actual file size is dramatically smaller when saved as a JPG. Try saving your thumb file at 200x200 at 72dpi and checking out the file size under Properties. Its usually alot smaller than it displays in the Image Size window of Photoshop.

I had this problem at first but found that as long as the thumb is within 200x200 the actual file size doesn't seem to matter, it will upload at more than 15k.

you dont have to flatten anything to make a jpeg file, just click save as, and the file will automatically be flattened, and then you can still keep the file with the layers by saving as a psd. also, Imageready is automatically bundled with Photoshop. If you clikc "Save for Web" imageready will open up so long as it's been installed.

of course with version 5.0, I'm not actually sure now...

Didn't "save for the Web" and Imageready ship with 5.5? 5.0 offers JPG as a save file format and GIF as an export format, I think. Any JPG fitting within Rendo's 50x50 to 200x200 rule can be compressed to under 15K Id've hoped.