How can I use Inkscape to reduce the file size of an image?

Asked by David Caverly

I have a tif file that is unnecessarily large and need to send via email. I don't see any functionality in the Inkscape program that will allow me to reduce image quality, detail and file size. In Photoshop I would use the "image size" menu item & window to change the image resolution, and/or change the file type (e.g. from tif to gif or jpg) to one which results in a smaller size file. How can I do this in Inkscape? (I see how to save the file in a different file format, but don't see gif as an option. I re-saved a tif file as a png file to see if it would help with file size but according to Mac Finder the file size did not change at all.

Thanks,
David

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shaju (chattukam) said :
#1

inkscape preferably deals with vector imaging, to reduce file size,
 an only option is adjusting with object handles, or minimise added features ,
if that could be 'editable',
further save with anew file name or extension .

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Mechanical snail (replicator-snail) said :
#2

Inkscape is a vector graphics editor, not an image editor. For what you're trying to do, use GIMP instead. To do this:

1. Open your TIFF image in GIMP.
2. Resize the image, using Image > Scale Image, and enter your desired image size.
3. File > Export. Type your filename with the extension for your desired output format (e.g. "image.jpg"), and press Export. It will then prompt you for quality settings.

GIF will almost always produce a larger file than PNG at the same quality settings. JPEG is lossy so it can be much smaller than PNG.

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Jan Bol (jan-bol) said :
#3

I strongly disagree with the above answer. Yes Inkscape is a vector graphics editor, but we create things in Inkscape to use them in the real world, e.g. in pdf format.

It is a great thing that the original size of an image is maintained while working with it, however, when exporting to pdf it should be possible to manipulate the dpi of images.

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