Small and rather effective batch image optimizer that will shrink PNG files by removing useless information losslessly while preserving image quality.
Improving page load speed is essential if you run a web site. Even if you're not a webmaster, PNG Gauntlet can also be used to compress and completely shrink the size of PNG images. It is a frontend for PNGOUT, a command line program by Ken Silverman. Using PNG Gauntlet couldn't be easier: You create an output directory (preferably not the same directory as the original files you want to compress), drag-and-drop some PNG files into the main window and click the optimize button.
Once you've finished optimizing the files you've chosen, the output directory should be filled with the newly shrunken files.
For one thing, it is pretty quick considering some of the large files we tested out with PNG Gauntlet. It goes through the list, compresses and optimizes the images and voila!
This program download also supports other types of image files like JPG and GIF, but it specializes in png images, so well that we use it on this web site.
Also note that there is no loss in image quality after the files have been compressed, they just load quicker depending on which options you used to compress the images.
PNG Gaunlet currently has 5 different levels of compression, but I suggest leaving it on the default Xtreme setting which is a little bit slower than the others, but does the best job at shrinking png files. Furthermore, since this is a freeware application and if you use it often, please consider donating to the developer.
Features of PNGGauntlet
- Advanced: Configure advanced settings for each algorithm.
- Batch Processing: Compress multiple images at once.
- Color Palette: Reduce the number of colors in an image.
- Command Line: Automate optimization tasks with scripts.
- Compression: Optimize PNGs for maximum compression.
- DeflOpt: Use the DeflOpt algorithm for maximum compression.
- Dithering: Enhance image quality when reducing color palette.
- EXIF Data: Preserve EXIF data in images.
- Lossless: Preserve image quality while reducing file size.
- OptiPNG: Use the OptiPNG algorithm for maximum compression.
- PNGCrush: Use the PNGCrush algorithm for maximum compression.
- PNGOUT: Use the PNGOUT algorithm for maximum compression.
- Preview: View optimized images before saving.
- Transparency: Maintain alpha transparency in images.
- Zopfli: Use the Zopfli algorithm for maximum compression.
Compatibility and License
PNGGauntlet is provided under a freeware license on Windows from image conversion software with no restrictions on usage. Download and installation of this PC software is free and 3.1.2 is the latest version last time we checked.
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