Here's my problem. I import pictures for my database that is going to be about 5,000 pictures in size. That's fine I have the machine, bandwith, and storage capacity to do that. The problem I have is I need the thumbnails to be smaller files then they're being imported as. What its doing right now is importing the full file for each entry, but the thumbnail is just a shrunken version of the orginal picture with the same file size. I need to make that picture considerably smaller (it starts at about 5 megs). Does anybody know how to do that?

I assume you have to alter the container on the "list View," but I've tried altering it but haven't had much success and the helpfile hasn't gotten me very far. I am brand new at this and have been given no training. So far its all been on my own and I'm struggling with this part. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thank you

Argento:

Changing the size of the container will do nothing to help you, as FileMaker stores the entire image and resizes or crops it for display. Your best bet would be to use the Troi File Plug-in, and you can download a free demo at:

http://www.troi.com/software/fileplugin.html

There is a command to create a thumbnail, which is what you want. It can be a bit intimidating at first, but if you need help with it, post questions to the Plug-In forum here, and you'll get all the help you need.

-Stanley

FileMaker can create a 128x128 Thumbnail on-the-fly for you if you use Import Folder on a folder of image files (and nested folders, if desired). Probably kind of small for a 5 MB file, and slow to Import. Useful in List views however.

There are also several methods using graphic tools to process your existing folder of images to create thumbnail files from them. Some of them are free, some are built-in to your computer already (AppleScript and Image Events). There's probably Automator actions built-in also. (I see there is a Scale Images action for the Preview application. It asks you if you want to create copies; good idea.)

Inexpensive shareware GraphicConverter can do this in batches. Certainly Photoshop (and possibly its siblings) can. It can create a "droplet" to process folders. Yes, you have to learn how to use something. But, if you're dealing with 5,000 picture files of 5 MB each, you should learn something about graphics and file sizes.

Actually, if your originals are over 5 MB, you might want to consider creating an "intermediate" size, just for display in FileMaker. If you really want to store the image files internally in FileMaker, you could do so. But I'd still want a down-sized image for every-day viewing.

There are several considerations with graphics, most of which have to do with file size and use. Just being able to see it on the screen is not enough, not if it's slow.