TopDown 3D: how to reduce needed ZIP size

**ErosOlmi** · 02-05-2007, 18:25

I would like to use TopDown 3D as application (bundled exe) to get some interest in thinBasic community.
Problem is that all the needed files inside a ZIP are about 9Mb. This due to all the nice backgrounds present in the game..

I would like to reduce the size to max 3Mb max. I think it is a good size for asking people to download.
Maybe all the other backgrounds can be included into a second ZIP file as bonus.

What do you think?
What to change in TopDown 3D in order to achieve this target?

Thanks a lot
Eros

**Michael Hartlef** · 02-05-2007, 18:43

Sound/music could be reduced in quality but still be good.

**ErosOlmi** · 02-05-2007, 18:50

Every single byte will be important, thanks.
Intro is now about 700Kb MP3

I suppose the biggest change is relative to backgrounds implementing a clever function that loads only present backgrounds and still be open to load new backgrounds if found.

**Michael Hartlef** · 02-05-2007, 19:31

Yip, we have to find a way to use PNG or JPG files. Besides the music, this could reduce file size big time.

**Petr Schreiber** · 02-05-2007, 20:31

Hi Mike,

I am observing PNG, it seems quite rich and complicated format.
I could try to add support for RLE compressed BMPs to TBGL, will see how much it will improve size, but I am afraid for higher than 256 colors it is useless.

I am investigating on this topic.

Thanks,
Petr

**Petr Schreiber** · 02-05-2007, 20:34

Hi Eros,

you are right.
I can get to 3.3 with 256 color textures, but this is probably not the way it was meant to be played

Mikes music is so good, MIDI would save a lot in size, but often sounds ... ugly

I will see what I can do.

Bye,
Petr

**ErosOlmi** · 02-05-2007, 20:40

If we deliver with just 3/4 possible backgrounds it will reduce a lot the ZIP file.
Important is to have a function that understand how many possible backgrounds and work with the bacgrounds found.
If user adds more backgrounds dowloading bonus pack, than functions will find them at next restart.

Thanks a lot and do not stole any study time for this task.
Family and school will always come first!!!!!

Ciao
Eros

**Petr Schreiber** · 02-05-2007, 20:49

Important is to have a function that understand how many possible backgrounds and work with the bacgrounds found.

Eros,

if I am not wrong, TopDown Alpha 2 now just gets all filenames from directory and decides whether to use.
So if you delete some, no problem occurs!

EDIT: I tried to upload 3MB version but it takes ages

So for that smaller release please just correct "shoots fired" to "shots fired"

and in Textures\instant action level 01
leave k9 planet 01.bmp and any 5 other ia* backgrounds - game will fit in 3MB without problem.

Bye,
Petr

**ErosOlmi** · 02-05-2007, 20:59

If I'm not wrong after loading the list, there is a random choose between x and Y that do not consider the backgrounds found.
But it can be I'm working with an old version.

I will check it when at home this night.

Ciao
Eros