FTST-L Archives

Archiver > FTST > 2002-05 > 1021244457


From: Robin Lamacraft <>
Subject: Re: [FTST] Large charts
Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 08:33:26 +0930
In-Reply-To: <200205121818_MC3-FDAD-C875@compuserve.com>


At 18:18 12/05/02 -0400, Gordon wrote in response to my questions:
> >How much disk storage does the file take when saved as an VC2 file?<
>As the bard said "There's the rub." I've been doing a lot of checking.
>Using the same focus person for a standard, left to right ancestor chart,
>the file size is ridiculous - 26M!

Now this means that you are excessively detailing the pictures. Once an
image is embedded into a VC2 file it can no longer be compressed. There are
several problems that you will run into when running any W9x-based OS but I
don't think that you have hit them yet.

In another program, like Paint Shop Pro, open each image and look at what
it says under Properties (of Information) about the "In RAM" size of each
image. For large images don't worry about the DPI - that is misleading in
the context of FTST as FTST resizes the physical output to match the size
that you want it. The important values are the number of pixels
horizontally and vertically. For a portrait passport-style picture for a
chart *re-sample* the image to make it about 400pixels wide and 600 pixels
high. DON'T storage it with any compression - most values over 15 on the
JPG scale will deteriorate the image. Besides, once inside FTST the
compression has only done you damage and not reduced the file size.

I would recommend that you copy your current images to an *archive* area of
the HDD. Then work on the files under their current names (saves a lot of
hassles about re-linking exhibits). Now try FTST again and you will find
with the reduced pixel images that you will be able to get pictures out.

I have worked on VC2 files with many images and where the total file size
is about 220Mb. That 220Mb file can't be viewed on Win98SE but works fine
on Win 2000.

I hope this helps.

Robin Lamacraft (Adelaide, Australia)

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