reducing the size of swf files

Adam H-W · December 11th, 2004, 02:34 PM

Hi there

What's the secret? I've got this swf file that is about 140k which I think is too large for what it is; it has graphics and music in it, but still it is way too big.

Are there any sure fire ways to reduce the size of it?

thanks

Adam

harpua · December 11th, 2004, 02:55 PM

I don't really think 140k is that big anymore, with all the high speed connections. If you have your movie in different sections like about us or contact us for example, you could create just a base template then use the attachMovie() and have those only load when needed, so the user would not load sections til needed. Something else is getting your images down as small as possible. With the sound you could bring the bit rated down, making the file smaller. Those are some things I know of, but I'd like to hear other ideas too.

Peace
Mike

Ben Horne · December 12th, 2004, 07:04 PM

There's other ways to reduce the file size of your SWF movie. Say you have a WAV loop that is 6.64 MB in size. Using the loop as it is will impact your file size, making it bigger. You can, however, use the attachSound method to significantly reduce the size. Any loops that are loaded via this method won't be included in the exported SWF. Here's how you can use the attachSound method:

Code:

on (release) {
sound1 = new Sound(this);
sound1.attachSound("DeepDown");
sound1.start(0,999);
}

Mike,

I know there's a better way to load movies than to use attachMovie. You'd be using the loadMovie command. Basically, you'd have the external movie load into a movie clip named target or whatever you name the movie clip. Keep in mind that you cannot put the loadMovie action in the movie clip. Put it on the main timeline only.

Ben Horne
-------------------------
I don't want to sound like I haven't made any mistakes. I'm confident I have.

Most likely using FireFox and concocting my next Macromedia Flash project
Snibworks Forums Moderator

Welcome to the New Age

harpua · December 14th, 2004, 11:51 PM

Thanks Ben for correcting this for me, loadMovie() is what I meant to say, I must of been having a brain freeze.

Peace
Mike

Adam H-W · December 16th, 2004, 04:19 AM

can you use an on Load function in this instance?

Thanks

Adam

Adam H-W · December 29th, 2004, 05:21 AM

Onto another swf file of mine that is bursting at the seams K size! It's 104k and it's only 60 key frames with 7 images in it - all about 300 x 400 px when I imported them and only with basic tweening. How come it is so big? I think it's unacceptable!

Cheers

Adam

Ben Horne · December 29th, 2004, 10:53 PM

Try reducing the image quality. I think that's the only way you'll be able to reduce the SWF file size.

Ben Horne
-------------------------
I don't want to sound like I haven't made any mistakes. I'm confident I have.

Most likely using FireFox and concocting my next Macromedia Flash project
Snibworks Forums Moderator

Welcome to the New Age

Adam H-W · December 31st, 2004, 07:50 AM

right, thanks - will give it a go.