Image File Optimisation#
Why do we Optimise Images?#
When image files are uploaded, they can come in all shapes and sizes. For example a mobile phone with an X megapixel camera will produce photos in very high quality. This quality of image is completely unnecessary for the purpose of modules. With this in mind image files go through an optimisation process when being uploaded, this provides the following benefits:
Reduced Data Stored#
Reducing the size of an uploaded image from say a 4k image to something more appropriate for serving over the web can drastically reduce the size of the file being stored. This could be as much as a 80%. This helps you to get as much storage as possible from your included allowances without being charged for additional storage.
Increased Performance#
Reducing the size of the uploaded images has the effect of increasing performance wherever those files are used in a page. Since there is less data to be transferred the page will load more efficiently.
How does it Work?#
The system automatically restricts the width and height of images uploaded. The maximum width and height values used are 1000px. All images that are successfully optimised are also converted to a web friendly format enabling better performance when the images are loaded in preview windows.
When a file is uploaded:
The system checks if either the width or height is greater than 1000px.
If either is greater then the image is resized to the maximum value of 1000px. (While maintaining the aspect ratio of the uploaded image)
Metadata that is sometimes sent with images is stripped from the image. (This helps to reduce the size of the image)
If the resulting image is larger than the original then the original is used to ensure that this process never results in more data being used.
The resulting image is converted to a “jpg” file format, an optimised image format for the web.
Tip
If any specific functionality has exceptions to this default it will be detailed with the features documentation.