Although Adobe Photoshop 5.5 and Macromedia Fireworks 3 provide more thorough optimization tools, PhotoImpact's Image Optimizer is adequate for most purposes. You can preview two images side by side, and the History function lets you see one additional image at a different size. Images can be saved in GIF, JPEG, and PNG formats. Advanced options allow for transparency in all file formats, including, as with Photoshop, a simulated JPEG transparency. You can, however, create optimized palettes manually and then save them as PAL files to use again later.
Image slicing is flexible.
You can use a knife tool, or a grid to create even slices. You can save segments in various formats and assign them URLs. The Image Map Assistant couldn't be simpler to use. You make a selection and then type the URL into the assistant. The Java Rollover Assistant is also one of the most intuitive we've seen.