Changing Compression Method

If your database contains photographs, the files can be compressed to save disk space.  When the database was created a compression method was possibly selected.  Compression has its “pros and cons” and the situation might arise where you wish to change the compression method.  This is done by selecting File, Database Management, Change Compression Method from the menu. This menu option will not be available if you have elected to save the images directly in the database.  A dialog similar to this will appear:

The number of photograph files to be converted along with the current type of compression is displayed.  A pull-down menu is available to define the new compression method.  When the desired method  is selected, click on OK to continue.  Click on Cancel to abandon the operation.  Before the files are processed, the amount of disk space available is checked.  This is particularly important when converting to a format where the files occupy more space than in the old format.  If there is not enough space, you will be notified and the operation will not be allowed to proceed.  As the operation proceeds, each file is converted and the original deleted.  As a result, it is NOT necessary to have enough disk space to hold all the old and new files simultaneously.

If a significant number of files are to be converted, this operation could take a long time. Once the conversion is started it cannot be interrupted, so make sure that you wish to occupy the computer for this long before starting the operation.