Imported Pictures in FM 4.03 Too Large...help.

[w_douglass]

I am/have been importing small (180 pixel) RGB jpegs into FMP 4.03. They are 16-25K each. But they seem to be increasing the size of my DBs by 10x that each time. Is there anything I can do to improve this? I searched the FMP site which spoke a little bit about older versions only storing pictures as tiffs but that is all I could find. Thanks in [email protected]

[lilcowpoke]

quote:

---

Originally posted by w_douglass:

I am/have been importing small (180 pixel) RGB jpegs into FMP 4.03. They are 16-25K each. But they seem to be increasing the size of my DBs by 10x that each time. Is there anything I can do to improve this? I searched the FMP site which spoke a little bit about older versions only storing pictures as tiffs but that is all I could find. Thanks in [email protected]

---

I agree with Captkurt on this. I beieve that FileMaker does convert images to its own format (I believe a form of Macintosh's PICT) whenever you do an image import.

I am in a similar situation. I have to import large images: one or more 120x120, 600x600, and 1200x1200 pixel image per record, so I understand what you are going through. I have been actively researching possible solutions. It seems that the only way to actually use the JPEG files without having FileMaker store them internally or convert them to uncompressed files is to import them using 'Store as a reference only' when importing. This allows you to link an images to a record without storing it in the FMP file, keeping the file size down. Unfortunately, if you have a large number of images to import, this can pose a problem: Filemaker can only import one image at a time.

The only way around this limitation that I have found so far (on a PC anyway: Mac users can use an Applescript based workaround) is by either purchasing a FileMaker plug-in to do the work for you, or a macro automation utility such as WinBatch.

Troi's File 2.0 plug-in does NOT import via reference, so it is out of the question here. The Dialog Magic plug-in from New Millenium does allow image import via reference by automating FileMaker's image import dialog. I have not yet had much of a chance to test this one out, but it does seem to work, albeit slower than I would prefer. Clear Solutions also claims that their Exporter 2.0 plug-in can import via reference, but it will not be available for purchase until September or October, 2000. I have contacted the author (a very nice chap, indeed) who has offered to let me know as soon as Exporter 2.0 is ready for testing. You may wish to contact him yourself, if this sounds like a possibility for you.

So, that's my suggestion for now. I would appreciate hearing about any other alternatives that you or anyone else has to offer on the subject. If I ever personally find something that works to my satisfaction, I will be sure to post the results in similar FMForums discussions.

Good Luck.

J.

[Kurt Knippel]

quote:

---

Originally posted by w_douglass:

I am/have been importing small (180 pixel) RGB jpegs into FMP 4.03. They are 16-25K each. But they seem to be increasing the size of my DBs by 10x that each time. Is there anything I can do to improve this? I searched the FMP site which spoke a little bit about older versions only storing pictures as tiffs but that is all I could find. Thanks in [email protected]

---

I beleive that FMP stores ALL graphics as bitmaps, and NOT in thier original formats. Thus for small JPGs are probable 10x thier normal size when stored as a bitmap.

Others can verify this or you can check with Filemaker, Inc to confirm.

------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Kurt Knippel

Senior Filemaker Developer

http://www.database-resources.com

mailto:[email protected]

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[sylvain]

he guys i gest we all in same situation !! what will do is i am gonna insert an OLE object and link it to my picture so when you double click on this object it open the picture with your default picture viewer. that is the best and the one that take less space i find for now.