container and database file size

[kuniko658]

Hello -

I've read previous posts about similar topics, but could not find a solution. Did I miss it? Could anybody please point me in the right direction?

I created a database to organize about 2000 PDF files. All the PDF files are one page long, letter-size documents. The main layout has a container field for a PDF to be inserted as an object. The field is big enough to show the PDF at approx. 80% of its original size.

Currently, I have 75 records in the database.

The size of the folder that has all the PDFs is 1.69MB.

The database file is 340MB.

That’s a ratio of 1:186!

I have experimented with Super Container. But on Windows XP, it doesn't generate a preview image of PDF documents. One of the uses of this database is to generate an "album" of PDFs via find and sort, and print it. So it is essential that PDF is displayed in FMP without having to open it in Acrobat.

Are there ways to reduce the size of this database file? At this rate, the final size will be 7GB. I am not sure if it will function efficiently on my computer.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[LaRetta]

The main layout has a container field for a PDF to be inserted as an object.

I suggest that, instead of storing the PDF within FileMaker, you only store a reference instead. When you choose the file, at bottom is checkbox 'store only a reference.'

LaRetta :wink2:

[kuniko658]

Hi LaRetta -

Thank you so much for your post. Your support is much appreciated.

As you point out, when a picture is inserted as reference only, the database file size increase is minimal. However, FileMaker seems to work differently with OLE.

I brought in PDFs to the container by:

- Insert an object

- Create from a file

- Check “Link”

- Leave “Display as icon” unchecked (so the contents of the PDF are displayed instead)

- Browse and choose a PDF to insert

In the “Insert Object” dialog box, it says:

“Result: Inserts a picture of the file contents into your document. The picture will be linked to the file so that changes to the file will be reflected in your document.”

Is it possible that FMP is creating a “picture” of the PDF and storing it in the database? If so, is there a workaround to keep FMP from hoarding bytes?

[K1200]

In case you didn't find these references:

FileMaker statement on PDFs

FMForums topic

I gave up on trying to store PDFs.

[kuniko658]

Thank you for the links.

Printing a PDF "album" of the found records has been OK so far. For example, a PDF document I created with 51 records (1 record with an image of 1 PDF per page) is 590KB. What's crazy is the source database file with 75 records is 340MB!

Has anybody posted about changing settings on how FMP creates and stores the pictures of linked but not embedded OLE objects? (Please forgive my syntax.) I've looked around but have not come across one.

I am trying a couple of things.

1. Make a JPG from a PDF; insert the JPG in the container and store "reference only". This will solve the database file size issue, but a time eater and feels unnecessarily redundant. Perhaps there is a way to automate the process.

2. Copy the PDFs and create a dummy database with FMP and 360Works Super Container on Mac (OS X). I haven't added enough records to have a meaningful result yet.

If anybody is curious, I will post what I find out. On the other hand, please stop me if any of you already have an answer.