Ideal Image Size Automated
In Slider Revolution 6 and earlier it was important to be mindful of image optimization as part of the design process. We provided a file optimization tool in the editor, and advice on how to balance performance with quality in images.
However with the release of Slider Revolution 7 we have automated the entire process of image optimization. It’s now no longer necessary to manually handle any part of the process.
By default when you save a module SR7 will automatically optimize images, both their size and their quality. You no longer need to wonder about the ideal image size, as SR7 will convert all images to their ideal size for you.
You are instead free to focus on choosing the ideal image aspect ratio for your design, and SR7 will take care of the rest.
Image Optimization Settings
The default image optimization settings in SR7 will suit most use cases. However if you wish to fine tune these settings for your needs, you can.
Image optimization settings are under Plugin Dashboard -> Top Bar -> Settings button -> Global Settings panel -> Optimization tab.
You may wish to enable the On The Fly 1 setting so optimization is handled in the background as you work, rather than optimizing all new images when you save.
You can set Image Format to Original if you would prefer not to use the WebP format.
If you need to crunch image file sizes even further, you can also decrease the Max Img. Scale Multiplier 1, Quality 2 and/or Max Width & Max Height 3 settings.
Ideal Image Aspect Ratio
There is still an extra optimization boost to be had by selecting images of the right aspect ratio to use in your designs.
Let’s look at the Bento Grid Travel template as an example. In one of the grid cells is an image that looks like this at its largest size, i.e. a wide-screen layout:
At its smallest size, a mobile layout, it looks like this:
At any viewport size it retains either a portrait or almost square aspect ratio. In no scenario will the image ever be seen in a landscape aspect ratio.
For that reason, if the original source image came in a landscape 16:9 aspect ratio it would include large sections that would never be seen.
Hence the image could be cropped to reduce its width, removing the unseen areas, thereby reducing the file size even further.
In this example, the aspect ratio chosen is 4:5. This ratio ensures the image always looks great and only includes the parts of the image that are useful.
