Compressing Large Flash Files

[kidflavor]

I've noticed that the larger your flash movies are, the slower your page will load. I did a search to see how to compress a flash file, but couldn't find anything. Though there are many programs you can purchase to do this for you. Is there an option in Macromedia Flash 8 or Swish to compress your Flash movies, or do you need a third party program?

[Sgaspar11]

The .swf's when they are published are naturally compressed. Go compress them more you need to use a compressor from like www.sothink.com.

Other than that...I don't think there are any other options besides lowering the file size of any images you have in the actual flash file.

[kidflavor]

Oh ok, see I didn't know that they are already as small (compressed) as they could be. Apparently I should find a new/better way to do large image slideshows with .jpg's. Thanks!

[Sgaspar11]

And, make sure that in your publish settings that Compress Movie is checked. I think that is default so that is why I didn't mention it earlier. But you'd select that under: Publish Settings > Select the Flash Tab > Compress Movie.

From this section you can also lower the .jpg quality which might help with the file size as well. This should default to 80% I think as well, I don't think I'd want to go much lower than this.

Cheers,

Scott

[JacobHaug]

The best way to do a sideshow in flash is to load the pictures externally, this will dramatically cut down your .swf file size. Another trick is while the first picture is displaying load the second, and so forth. Will save you on file size and loading time, this is the best way to accomplish a sideshow in flash.