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K
KFont42
Participant
September 14, 2016
Answered

Adobe Captivate File Size

  • September 14, 2016
  • 3 replies
  • 892 views

I have a two-part question. I am working with Adobe Captivate for the first time, so I'm obviously making a lot of rookie errors, and now I'm stuck.

I have a project that is 122,229 KB, and when published for LMS, is 63,900 KB. I have made sure that any and all graphics are the smallest size possible, but it still takes a long time to load when accessed through the LMS. My first question is, what is the ideal file size for publishing to LMS? If necessary, I may have to break my presentation up into multiple modules so that they can be accessed easier, but I'm curious if there is an easier way to approach this before splitting it up.

My second part to the question: is there a way to tell Captivate to start playing the webinar while it is loading? When I tested it, it took almost 2 minutes to load the file which, in the world of online technology, is an eternity. I'm hoping there is a way to tell it to start playing the video while the remainder of the presentation is loading in the background.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Kristen

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Lilybiri

    Hi Kristen,

    Welcome to the forums. For your last question: you can reduce the Preloader % in Preferences, Project, Start&End. Its default value is 100% which means the whole project is loaded before playing. Also: avoid having a heavy first slide, no audio, no complicated actions etc.

    There is no real ideal file size, because it depends on so many factors. Keep the resolution as low as possible, I mean the size in pixels. You talk about graphics: which type of graphics do you use. If you are on CP9, it accepts SVG's which in most circumstances have smaller file size than bitmap images. But it is not only the graphics that define the file size: also the number of slides, frames, audio and video clips.

    3 replies

    S
    SlimahID
    Known Participant
    July 13, 2021

    @KFont42 @Lilybiri Hi there, I, too, am trying to create my first captivate project. So far, I have created a demo project using unit 1.2. Now I am ready to begin the actual design.

    Concerning this post, I should create eight captivate projects because there are eight modules with units/lessons OR one project? My fear is that the file size will become too large if all in one project?

     

    I hope I am clear in my explanation. One project or create eight projects to represent each module?

    I am going to be using an internal work LMS, so file size is significant. 

    K
    KFont42Author
    Participant
    July 13, 2021

    I would create 8 separate Captivate projects, one per module. Not only will it make the courses run smoother, but it will be easier to load into your LMS. Good luck with your project!

      S
      SlimahID
      Known Participant
      July 13, 2021

      Thanks, @KFont42 I figured by now you would be able to see what worked best for people like me just getting started. Okay, I will proceed with that plan! 

      K
      KFont42Author
      Participant
      September 14, 2016

      Lilybiri,

      Thank you! I changed the preloader, and when my supervisor tested it out, she said it loaded much faster!

      I'm using mostly PNG files and JPEGs. I've been editing them in Photoshop to make them as small as possible. I do have a few videos in the presentation as well, and I don't have audio at the moment, but the intent is to have voiceover.

      Lilybiri
      Lilybiri
      Legend
      September 14, 2016

      Be sure when preparing the images in PS to make them exactly at the needed size for Captivate, never resize them in Captivate.

      Audio and video are much more important for file size than the graphics. If you can, try SVG. Last version of PS supports SVG output.

      Lilybiri
      LilybiriCorrect answer
      Legend
      September 14, 2016

      Hi Kristen,

      Welcome to the forums. For your last question: you can reduce the Preloader % in Preferences, Project, Start&End. Its default value is 100% which means the whole project is loaded before playing. Also: avoid having a heavy first slide, no audio, no complicated actions etc.

      There is no real ideal file size, because it depends on so many factors. Keep the resolution as low as possible, I mean the size in pixels. You talk about graphics: which type of graphics do you use. If you are on CP9, it accepts SVG's which in most circumstances have smaller file size than bitmap images. But it is not only the graphics that define the file size: also the number of slides, frames, audio and video clips.

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