Is it too slow?

I'm part way through developing a website from a template.
My boss asked me to place our company logo in place of some text that was on the initial flash screen of our website. I made the logo in Xara Xtreme and Xara 3D and exported it as .swf flash (bitmap). Trouble is the file size of the new logo.

Unfortunately, the bit he wants changed is part of the flash and it means changing from a 4kb text image to a static 43kb logo. (3D flash animation bumps it to over 150k, so I already ruled that out).

I don't think I can change to a simple bitmap image of smaller size, as the initial page is part of the templates index page flash which runs into the main page. Also I am using a .swf (flash) of specific dimensions (300x180 pixels).

My connection speed doesn't allow me to judge very clearly if this is going to cause a big problem, as I'm on an 5Mb connection.

I know there must be some impact on the loading but could you advise me if the initial load time for the start page is acceptable or too slow for you.

PS: We don't sell on the web so I'm not too worried about passing browsers. We only deal locally and just use it to refer local enquiries. But I still need it to run reasonably. The site is just to provide a web presence. We don't anticipate many sales from it,..at least for the moment.

http://www.bakerstv.co.uk


PS: The menu bar is from Xara Menu Maker. Do you think it's ok in this template? or would you recommend a different menu maker style?

Any other comments welcomed.

Looks to me as though you've embedded a bitmap in the website-name.swf - it doesn't look like a vector at all. How did you create the logo?

Hi Pauland,

The logo was created in Xara Xtreme then extruded in Xara 3D.
Initially it was spinning, but this caused the file size to be (150KB min).
So, I stopped animation, this got it down to 46KB and exported it from Xara3D as Flash Bitmap (.swf) rather than Flash Vector (.swf).

It's the lowest size I've been able to get to without making the image noticably poor in quality.

Here's a quick experiment (really needs more work on the text)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Telovne

exported it from Xara3D as Flash Bitmap (.swf) rather than Flash Vector (.swf).

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Why not export as a vector?

Thanks Pauland, I put your logo up for a test and it loaded no problem.
That file size would be great of course.

The logo I have up was created as a Xara 3D animation consisting of of 3 text parts + border, although the animation has been turned off. If I could reduce the file size by recreating it in Xara Xtreme or such, (keeping the appearance of the X3D version), this would be great. Though I would need to export it to .swf format to place in the website and I only have Xara 3D to do this. Unfortunately, although Xara 3D exports flash format it doesn't display it. In fact I have no program to preview the flash before I upload it.

I'm attaching the original .X3D file and a version converted to Xtremes .xar format, in case it assists anyone who can convert them to a smaller size flash bitmap .swf or advise me how I might be able to.

Unfortunately, on exporting to flash vector (.swf) I get a flashing double image. So it seems it must be in flash bitmap (.swf) format of (300w x 180h pixels).

Like this?

Really appreciate your time Pauland. Unfortunately, I would have to keep the original logo design in it's entirety to satify my boss, as he drew the original logo in the 1960's by hand :)

If there was anyway to reduce the original file size to the size of your .swf that'd be wonderful. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about flash or how flash files can be handled or compressed to reduce it smaller than 46k and maintain it's quality. Or if it's even possible.

Best regards.

I'll add the blue strip, if that's what you want..

Really it's not that i'm looking for the logo 're-made' smaller. Just I am hoping there may be someway to compress the existing file. Some trick that will reduce it without noticable loss of quality.

I've reduced it's quality to size as far as I am able within the export feature of Xara 3D. I don't want to degrade the original image any further than I already have. I could already make the file smaller with Xara 3D export options but the degradation would be unacceptable.

I guess I'm kind of hoping that maybe someone has a 'more sophisticated flash tool' that could convert the existing file to a more manageable size.

Cheers

PS. I noticed there is a dedicated flash forum here, so I have asked there also.

OK, the only comment I have is that however slow the initial logo flash is, it's far quicker than the main page load, which will probably be more annoying to most people. Good luck.

Got the file down to 19KB & with a better resolution by removing the xara generated border. Image now comprises of 5 text objects instead of original 3 + border design.

The problem I was most concerned about was the logo loading so slow that it was running on into the main flash and being superimposed over it.

Yes, I can see the difference. Do you work for Bakers? Is the whole site a customised template?

Yes been an employee at Baker's for 18 years.

Modified from the template shown in this demo...
http://www.luckymarbletemplates.com/...y_landscaping/

Shows the original 'Welcome...' flash.

Telovne: very nice website! Big contrast between the overall layout and the old logo though :)
Pauland: I was curious so wanted to visit your website, but it's only an e-mail link..Is this on purpose or am I missing something? :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Telovne

Yes been an employee at Baker's for 18 years.

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Well done with the website. I'm in England now, but originate from Resolven/Port Talbot, so not so far from you. Haven't lived in Wales since 1987. :-(

Paul

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MarciaB

Pauland: I was curious so wanted to visit your website, but it's only an e-mail link..Is this on purpose or am I missing something? :confused:

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LOL - Marcia you aren't missing anything - that's all there is. I keep meaning to put more in but getting around to it is another matter. You're probably wondering what I do - I'm a long-time software developer. I'm gradually moving from working on software that had no user face, to building websites and web applications. I'm stuck a little between the two worlds at the moment - a bit of a jack of all trades, but probably master of none.