Can I use Organizer to change the .jpg size of all photos in a folder in one batch process?

Question

We're using wa-a-ay too much disk space for a growing photo collection.   My daughter is a camera freak with four kids -- need I say more? 
In my current test folder the sizes of the original photos range from 2.3 MB to 4.2 MB.  I picked one photo at random and printed the original and then three more, saved by PSE9 as .jpg files at maximum, middle, and minimum quality settings on plain letter-size paper, and again on 4x6 photo paper.  It takes a magnifying glass and a calibrated eyeball to detect a difference on the plain paper, and it's even more difficult on the photo paper.  I think I should relieve the pressure on the hard drive's capacity by reducing everything to a more reasonable size; after all, the minimum-quality print takes up less than one percent of the disk space as does the maximum-quality print.
I have a hunch that I can accomplish this in a batch process with Organizer, but that's all I have is the hunch -- not the know-how.   I would like someone to step me through the process.
I also expect a lecture on why I shouldn't do this.  Go for it; I'll listen.
Thanks,  Bud

Answer 1

Bud,
BudV a écrit:
I also expect a lecture on why I shouldn't do this.  Go for it; I'll listen.
You are the one to judge... Will you regret it if you want to use some pictures with the original size and resolution at a later time?
Yes, you can use either the organizer or the 'process multiple files' command of the editor. But first you should think about two questions:
- Are you ready to backup the full resolution and size files before the 'shrinking'? External USB drives with big capacities are available and affordable.
- From what you are saying, the optimal size would be for files resized for 4" x 6" format at 300 ppi in jpeg quality 8 to 10.
Resizing from the Editor: Use the 'process multiple files' command and click the 'Same as source' button. I would not do it without a sound backup first... This can be done folder by folder.
Resizing from the Organizer : Use the 'Export' command. That command leaves the original and puts the resulting files in a new folder. The resulting files are NOT included in the catalog.This means that keeping your organization (categories, albums, tags...) will be tricky; same if you are using a folder organization system.
Another solution with a third party software such as Faststone photo resizer:
- Absolutely do a full backup before
- run the resizing options in the external software so that the files are resized without being moved. That replaces the originals.
- If you are using the organizer, your organization will be kept, but the file sizes in the catalog and thumbnail databases will be wrong. You can regenerate the thumbnail cache by deleting the thumbs.5.cache file in your catalog folder; it will be automatically rebuilt.
That has worked for me in the past... no guarantee for you!