I've been thinking about this thread for a while. I understand xantor's concerns very well but I also understand the issue of longer download times because of the larger file size. My best suggestions go to xantor. First of all one can reduce the diminsions of one's animation. One can also reduce the frame rate. Those are obvious - I'm 100% confident you know this. There are several ways to "optimize" files - including simply pressing buttons that say "Optimize for web." I don't know what you know about GIF files so I'll add the following: First of all, you can specify the number of colors that a GIF uses (at least in all the software for making animated GIF's that I know of). The less colors, the smaller the file size. I selected solid black and 100% green for my background so I could use more of my color palette on the Tormented Tot's color. Second, GIFs compress areas of flat color better than areas where there are continuous changes (JPGs handle the latter better). Once again, that impacted my choice of solid black or green. It's very possible that if you changed your background you could reduce your file size. You'd lose some aeshetics, but you may be able to keep the focus on the animation itself. If you had flat colored clouds or trees moving from left to right you may be able to keep the sense of movement but reduce colors and therefore file size. I suppose it would look like a 3d character walking across a Flash background. I'm assuming you've only done one loop of the walk so this probably isn't relevant to this specific animation, but for the sake of anyone else reading this... The timing of individual frames can also be changed in many animated GIF software packages. I made my Tot avatar hold certain frames for extended periods to stretch the animation out without adding frames. I hope I'm not coming across as condescending in any way. You've seen me around long enough to know that I'm a strong supporter of animation so hopefully you know I'm very sympathetic to your plight. I'm trying to be helpful. ;-)

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