Saving to an exact file size

In CS3 is there a way to save a jpeg to an exact file size such as 11.5 MB using an action? I don't want to use "Save for Web", and I want to save using Quality=12.

Currently I have to iterate between trying different resolutions under Edit -> Image Size and seeing the outcome when I do a "Save As".

No, not if you're saving jpegs. (Plus, 11.5MB would be a HUGE jpeg!)

Why do you need to, may I ask?

Bob, you can get sort of close to an approximate file size depending the camera, and the Quality Level in CS3 that you save at. I use this technique for creating optimim "proof" file sizes that I send to my lab for printing. I shoot with a 5D, so if I want a file size that's around 1MB - give or take a little - I save at quality level 7. But your mileage will vary. I'm not really sure if it's possible for your level of precision. - Stu

Damien: Smugmug allows me to upload 12MB jpegs, so I archive at the maximum resolution I can get away with with the highest quality setting.

Right now I'm working with a ton of scanned negatives where I start with jpegs that are 30+ MB, then in CS3:

1. eliminate grain
2. crop and straighten
3. adjust with curves and do color correction
4. resize for Smugmug and save

sapearl wrote in post #6933812
Bob, you can get sort of close to an approximate file size depending the camera, and the Quality Level in CS3 that you save at. I use this technique for creating optimim "proof" file sizes that I send to my lab for printing. I shoot with a 5D, so if I want a file size that's around 1MB - give or take a little - I save at quality level 7. But your mileage will vary. I'm not really sure if it's possible for your level of precision. - Stu

Thanks Stu. I'm ok with a file size between 10 and 11.5, but depending on the film type and the detail in the image it's been driving me nuts trying to get within this range from image to image. For the same pixel dimensions I can get a result anywhere from 9 to 17 MB.

I feel your frustration - while I was still shooting MF film, the lab would scan all of my frames and the resultant huge file sizes were all over the map. My only archiving is to both DVD and external HD... I don't upload so I'm not facing the same issues. I wish had better advice, but that's the best of it. Good luck .

Bob_A wrote in post #6933825
Thanks Stu. I'm ok with a file size between 10 and 11.5, but depending on the film type and the detail in the image it's been driving me nuts trying to get within this range from image to image. For the same pixel dimensions I can get a result anywhere from 9 to 17 MB.

sapearl wrote in post #6933968
I feel your frustration - while I was still shooting MF film, the lab would scan all of my frames and the resultant huge file sizes were all over the map. My only archiving is to both DVD and external HD... I don't upload so I'm not facing the same issues. I wish had better advice, but that's the best of it. Good luck .

Thanks again Stu