NXPowerLite technology - FAQ
What is file optimization?
File optimization can dramatically reduce the size of image-heavy files - by as much as 99% in some cases. It works by eliminating any excess baggage and converting graphics to the most appropriate file format and resolution. Optimized files remain in their original format and retain all their functionality, so they can be opened and edited by anybody. There's no need for special decompression or viewing software.
What's the difference between optimization and compression?
File optimization can reduce file sizes far more effectively than traditional compression methods, such as ZIP compression. Optimizing an image-heavy PowerPoint presentation will often reduce its file size by 90% or more (zipping the same presentation will result in a compression rate of just 10-15%). And, as optimized files remain in their original format, there's no need to unzip a file before using it.
What file types can NXPowerLite optimize?
NXPowerLite can optimize Microsoft Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations created using any version of Microsoft Office from Office 97 (or any other application that can save to the Word, Excel and PowerPoint file formats, such as Google Apps, iWork, Lotus Symphony, OpenOffice or StarOffice). This includes files saved in the new Open XML formats (such as DOCX, XLSX or PPTX), as used by Office 2007 and Office 2008. NXPowerLite can also optimize JPEG images and PDF documents.
In addition, NXPowerLite can optimize any of the above file types if they are contained within a standard ZIP archive (without unzipping it) resulting in a much smaller .zip file.
How much smaller will my files get?
How much smaller your files get will depend on how many graphics and embedded documents they contain, and how large they are initially. Users have experienced compression rates as high as 99% with no discernible loss of quality to their files. However, if your files contain no graphics or embedded documents, they are unlikely to get much smaller.
The US Navy tested* NXPowerLite on a large number of files and achieved average file size reductions of 68% for Word documents, 76% for Excel spreadsheets and 84% for PowerPoint presentations.
* Source: NXPowerLite Trident Warrior Experimentation and Results, FORCEnet
If I send an optimized file to somebody, do they need NXPowerLite?
No. The optimized file will remain in its original format and it can be opened and edited by anybody.
Will optimized files take longer to open?
No. In fact, there will be a performance increase. It takes a fraction of the time to open a 1MB file than to open a 100MB file.
My file isn't optimizing as well as I would expect. Why is this?
NXPowerLite optimizes files by eliminating any excess baggage and converting graphics to the most appropriate file format and resolution. If a file doesn't contain many graphics, or the graphics were hand-optimized before they were inserted into your file, it's unlikely that NXPowerLite will be able to make much difference to its size.
Can I still edit a file after it has been optimized?
Yes. The optimized file will remain in its original format and it can be opened and edited by anybody.
Will the 'Compress Pictures' feature in Microsoft Office achieve the same results as NXPowerLite?
No. NXPowerLite will achieve significantly better results than the 'Compress Pictures' feature in Microsoft Office. This is because NXPowerLite intelligently selects the most appropriate format and compression level for each image in your document, spreadsheet or presentation. The 'Compress Pictures' feature merely reduces the image resolution and discards any hidden information. Additionally, NXPowerLite allows you to flatten any embedded documents in your files.
Why doesn't NXPowerLite optimize the contents of my ZIP archives?
NXPowerLite can only optimize Word, Excel, PowerPoint and JPEG files stored within standard ZIP archives (also known as 'legacy ZIP archives'). Some ZIP compression tools allow users to create non-standard ZIP archives that offer additional functionality (such as encryption or improved compression algorithms). These files do not follow the official ZIP format and are not supported by NXPowerLite.
Will NXPowerLite work with any other office productivity suites?
NXPowerLite can optimize files created in other office productivity suites (such as Google Apps, iWork, Lotus Symphony, OpenOffice or StarOffice), providing they are saved in the Microsoft Office formats.
Why were my Word, Excel and PowerPoint files so large to start with?
Generally, a lot of the file bloat experienced in Word, Excel and PowerPoint files is due to a combination of:
- Graphics stored in uncompressed formats, such as TIFF or BMP.
- Large images being scaled down or cropped within Word, Excel or PowerPoint, as these applications still store the full-size image within the file.
- Embedded documents from other software packages, such as Adobe Photoshop images or Microsoft Visio diagrams.
Why were my JPEG files so large to start with?
JPEG images are often stored at extremely large sizes, due to the ever-increasing number of megapixels offered by digital cameras. Very high resolution images are useful for large-format printing purposes and they allow photographers greater flexibility when cropping and editing their images. However, if JPEG files are being viewed on screen, or printed to fit a standard photo album, they do not need to be nearly as large.
If you require further assistance, please contact our support team.
