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PNG or JPG for faster performance?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by firebringer, Dec 2, 2011.

  1. firebringer

    firebringer Member

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    Hey all,

    We've got a weekly Pathfinder game going that includes 4 players connecting to a GM's machine (mine). I'm wondering if there is a difference in performance whether I import maps as .jpg or .png? By 'performance' I mean how can I minimize the hourglass effect before map updates get to my players' machines? Currently I'm using .jpg and I'm noticing a significant update delay (re: hourglass) as I move tokens around my maps. I'm on a Windows 7 (64 bit) machine with 6 GB of RAM, with a cable modem connection. When d20Pro hourglasses my other online apps (Ventrilo and IE) don't show any appreciable slowdown (ping time doesn't change noticeably).

    I guess basically I'm wondering if there is a list of tips for streamlining performance on a GM's machine (should I be doing a forced garbage collection, etc. etc.)?


    Thanks,

    Firebringer
     
    #1 firebringer, Dec 2, 2011
  2. Caraldur

    Caraldur Member

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    How large are your map files? I remember reading on the forums that if you create a map from the clipboard it is huge compared to one you create from a file. Try editing your maps in Gimp or Photoshop or any photo editing software to reduce the file size and see if that helps.

    -Fred
     
    #2 Caraldur, Dec 2, 2011
  3. ROB_IN_MN

    ROB_IN_MN New Member

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    Import your maps as JPG files. PNG files will be MUCH bigger. PNG files support transparency, so I really only use them for tokens that don't have a filled in background on them. Things like the realistic looking, top down monsters you can find on the web i you look around a bit.
     
    #3 ROB_IN_MN, Dec 2, 2011
  4. Golkiwu

    Golkiwu Member

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    In a nutshell, it isn't you, it is your players.

    The hourglass is player dependent in the games I run. It is almost always the guy on a basic DSL line, as I am a cable user and have a slightly beefier system than yourself. The JPG thing will help the load time as ROB_IN_MN stated. I usually have a 10-15 min down time once all of the players on on, and I open up all of the maps that I plan to use that session, one at a time, in order to have them all pre-loaded on each player's machine. Once that is done, game play is fast, as we are not waiting on maps to load anymore.
     
    #4 Golkiwu, Dec 2, 2011
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