Mega help needed please

[DarkWhispers]

Ok, I'm really new to using Flash and trying desperately to learn but am slow.

I've tried making a movie for a web intro.. and running into the following problems.

1 I know it needs a preloader (which I'm in the dark about also)
2 The file is evidently way too long or it wouldn't stop in the middle of playing.
3 How in the world can I make it smaller without losing content? Is it possible to make the graphics themselves smaller and just size the actual presentation on the html page larger?
4 I only have 140 frames used for the entire timeline and it is still taking way too long to load..

If anyone has the patience to view it for helping me it is at

http://www.sultrytigress.com

I would be greatful for any help.

Thank you

 

[oldnewbie]

Only takes 5-6 seconds to load on my connection. Pretty sexy! Regards,

 

[DarkWhispers]

LOL well thank you.

I suppose the problem lies with us out in the sticks folks that have crappy connections. And that is where I have to be careful, I'm trying to get this ready for the actress in those pics approval before I build the rest of my site. So I have to take the chance on her being connected at a lower speed and make really sure it doesn't cut out in the middle of its playing, which it is doing on my end. Then again, I have one of those crappy connections! LOL

Anyone else have any suggestions?

::winx:: thanks again OldNewb

 

[wangbar]

It loaded okay over DSL too but I just checked the cache to see how big the file was - 1.3MB. That's BIG.

I'd imagine that you could bring this down dramatically by editing the images you're using in Photoshop or Fireworks etc.

If you haven't done so already drop the image depth of the photos down to 72ppi (in the "Image Size" option) and save them as JPEGs with quality no higher than 80. Monitor resolution is 72ppi so there's no advantage in having images with greater pixel depths, you're just burning memory. Each image could comfortably come down to about 30-40KB while still being sharp.

Also set the sound to Stream rather than Event which saves a few precious seconds in download.

Preloader code is all over this site but here's a really quick one which you can adapt to suit...

a) Add a scene to the front of your intro.
b) Add 3 frames
c) Frame 1:

if(_framesloaded>0 & _framesloaded==_totalframes){
nextScene();
}

d) Frame3:

loaded=_root.getBytesLoaded();
total=_root.getBytesTotal();
if(loaded<total){
percent=Math.floor((loaded/total)*100);
display=&quot;Percent loaded: &quot;+percent+&quot;%&quot;;
gotoAndPlay(2);//this frame should be left blank
}

e) Add a second layer to your scene, place a dynamic textbox on the stage and set its &quot;variable&quot; option to &quot;display&quot;.

Slainte

http://www.wangbar.co.uk

 

[DarkWhispers]

Oh you are awesome Slainte I am going to try your suggestions. Thank you so much, I will get back here and let you know how it goes!

::kiss::

 

[DarkWhispers]

OK... I'm having a heck of a time putting in a preloader... I've tried to load the most simple one possible because even though I cut the file down emensely, it stops in the middle of playing on my PC.. :grumbles about 56k modem connections:

so... now, even though I have followed step by step on this tutorial in how to put the darn thing on... I get the following errors..

Scene=Preloader, Layer=Layer 1, Frame=1: Line 2: '{' expected
ifFrameLoaded (&quot;SultryTigress, 160&quot {

Scene=Preloader, Layer=Layer 1, Frame=1: Line 6: Syntax error.

Generator is not enabled for this movie. D:\webs\SultryTigress\3rd.swf

The tutorial I am trying is from this link

http://www.webthang.co.uk/tutorials/gor_flash1/gor_preloader.htm

 

[DarkWhispers]

Well geez... had I known I would actually get it on the 13th try rather than give up and head here on the 12th try... I mighta saved myself some embarrasement ::chuckles:: I think I got it guys.. anyone wanting to have a looksie feel free.. I accept all criticism and or tips to improve...

http://www.sultrytigress.com

Thank you again guys