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• • July 8, 2011 at 6:46 am #60012
    themysticbean

    Member

    Hi everyone,

    We just recently completely a digital youth magazine for our charity in InDesign CS5 using the interactive components. Everything looks great when we export to SWF but we can't get the file smaller than 18MB without seriously compromising image quality. We heard there's a way to export FLA files and fix things up in Flash but our first attempts seemed to imply we'd have to start all the interactivity over again.

    Two questions:

    1. Is there a Flash-free way to optimize a SWF file so it's smaller (and faster loading on our site)? Like, say, a script or app?

    2. If not, is there an obvious way to import a FLA in Flash that will retain all the animation, page transitions, buttons, multi-state objects, etc. (We are total Flash novices but learn quickly!)

    Thanks so much!

  • July 10, 2011 at 11:36 am #60017
    James Fritz

    Member

    There are a few things that you can do to reduce the file size of an exported SWF from ID.

    1. Use master pages. If you place an item at the same location on every page, just use ID master pages. As long as you don't override them in ID, they will be treated 1 image upon export.

    2. Use the JPG pass through filter. If you place a JPG at 100% in InDesign and do nothing to it, ID will export it as-is and not re-compress it. Since PS does a better job of making smaller & better quality JPG's, this would save you file size.

    3. Use 72 DPI JPGs for all of the images in your layout and place them at 100% (see above tip).

    4. If you are using video, stream the video (link to a URL) rather than embeded

    5. Simplify your layout. If you can use simple color backgrounds instead of bitmap images and go easy on the effects (like drop shadows).

    6. Reduce your documents dimensions. Since your SWF file is going to be online, you don't need to have it be the size of a printed page. If you create a document that is smaller (600×300) your overall size will be smaller.

    Good luck and please share the link to your online magazine, I would love to see it.

  • July 10, 2011 at 11:41 am #60018
    James Fritz

    Member

    I forgot to address your second question.

    No, there is no easy way to export a FLA file and have all of the interactivity included. I wish there was, but it isn't a part of the supported workflow. The FLA workflow is for you as a designer to come up with the layout and interactivity, then hand it off to a Flash Developer who can streamline and optimize the file size with ActionScript code.

    One other suggestion is for you to check out the last chapter of my lynda.com series “Interactive Documents and Presentations” That chapter goes over production tips for moving between InDesign and Flash.

    https://www.lynda.com/InDesign-…..721-2.html

  • July 11, 2011 at 2:39 pm #60027
    themysticbean

    Member

    Hi James,

    Thank you so much for responding! Your suggestions were very helpful. I've watched your “Interactive Documents and Presentations” training videos a bunch of times—they've been my only introduction to that whole dimension of InDesign so I am very grateful for how comprehensive and easy-to-follow they are. :)

    I redid the JPG pass-through filter properly and shaved off another 6MBs. Woohoo! You can access the new file through this link by clicking “Bring the zine to life!” https://brila.org/zines/feature-zine/

    Are you planning on doing any other interactive InD trainings for Lynda.com? Or do you do similar training elsewhere?

    Thanks again! Very appreciative of you taking the time to write. You're an awesome instructor!

    Natalie

  • July 11, 2011 at 2:48 pm #60028
    James Fritz

    Member

    Natalie,

    Thank you for the kind words, I am glad you were able to shave off some file size with my help:)

    Regarding trainings, yes I do plan on recording some more with lynda.com. However, I doubt that I will record any more specific interactive InDesign videos for CS5. But, the next time a new version is released, I will hopefully be recording more.

    In the meantime, I would recommend that you keep reading the blog here at InDesignsecrets, follow me on twitter twitter.com/jamesfritz and subscribe to InDesign Magazine (I write articles for them from time to time). In fact, I have an article coming out in the next issue that compares the various iPad publishing options from InDesign.

    If you ever want direct training, feel free to contact me off line at jfritz@c2gps.com

    thanks again, and if you have any more questions, please let me know.

    James Fritz

    PS – I really like your magazine. It is a lot of fun.

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