multiiple files into one ZIP file?

A zip file is a compressed format that is often used to shrink files for efficient transfer over the internet.
It works a litle like this:
Say you have a 1MB ai file and you winzip it.
The winzip program will look for ways to remove redundant or repeated information from the file. It will then create a .zip file that has all but one of the redundant bits removed and a tag to add the info back to the file when you unzip it later.

If a repeated bit of the file is 200kb and is repeated three times and the tag is only 1kb then you can shrink the file by the following
1024kb - 2(200kb) + 2(1kb).

Its also very handy for grouping several files into one for emailing.

The drawback is that it takes time to compress and uncompress files.

I use winrar instead of winzip. it offers better compression and can also save to winzip for sending files to non winrar users.
(You can uncompress a winrar with winzip but winrar will uncompress winzip.)

If you do use winrar; during installation make sure you go to the advanced installation and select the "cascading context menu" option otherwise it clutters up your context menu.

1. Install WinZip (Should already be on your PC)
2. Put all required files in a folder
3. Right click on folder and click "Winzip" or "compress" or "add to archive" etc
4. Follow wizard to save the compressed file on your computer
5. This creates a .zip file
6. Email the .zip file
...
profit


Think of a zip file as a folder that you can email with some clever stuff to compact it's size.