File size

[Berry Bramble]

I have been developing websites for about 4 years now and just got into flash. To be able to use alot of the graphics and videos that I want, it makes the size of the flash document rediculously HUGE. Is there anway of compressing the size of the file down?

[Markll]

Load your images and content dynamically.

[Sualdam]

What file sizes are you getting?

Think of the 30-second rule: people won't wait more than 30 seconds for something to happen.

So unless you have a nice animated preloader (which gets boring when you've seen it once, so it is best on a Flash intro that can be skipped), you want to keep individual loads to less than about 100-120kb-ish.

That means breaking your overall design down into separate standalone sections that can be loaded as and when you need them (as computermark suggested by 'dynamic loading').

You'd be surprised at how much people download when surfing - it's all in small pieces - but ask them to download that all in one go and there'd be no chance :)

[Berry Bramble]

Very cool, thanks.

[amanjivraj]

hey guys, ive been programming with flash for a while, and ive recently been having problems reducing file sizes of my swf files.
you guys said to load images dynamically, ive got alotta graphics on my site, and ive optimized them, but its still quite big, so could you please let me know how to load pics dynamically?
thanks alot
aman

http://www.amanjivraj.com
aman@amanjivraj.com

[emboli]

there is a neat little utility for about 14 dollars for compressing flash files. It doesn't get you much more than about 8% but I will take anything when it comes to making a file smaller. You can find it at liatro.com

emboli

[Sualdam]

...But be careful, because all the compressors I know degrade the quality at least a little and can cause one or two other undesired effects.

99 times out of 100 you don't need an external compressor - optimising the movie will achieve much more. I've never needed one ;)

This is especially true if you are creating a normal site for browsing using Flash.

However, if you are just showing off your Flash skills, and to hell with bandwidth limitations, well maybe a compressor makes more sense... :)

Remember this: if you are learning Flash, external compression tools to reduce filesize defeat the object of the exercise entirely. Using Flash well is all about optimisation at the design stages.