I'm making a map of Connecticut but I can't get the file size down without ruining the look of the map. If I simplify every territory, it looks like this when you're zoomed in:


The file size without simplifying is 3,685kb. It's 174 territories, so it's not huge or anything. Any help?

Are you sure the issue is the file size and not the actual dimensions (pixel count)?

Also, what program are you using? And it is an svg I assume? My [biggest, most complex map](http://warlight.net/Map.aspx?ID=3465) is only 1.8MB for the svg

The dimensions are 792px wide by 612px high. There's probably about 150-200px of empty space height-wise. I'm using Inkscape and it's an SVG. I have made a map before, Chad, but it had only about 25 territories but was only about 100kb.

Yea, something is obviously not right with your file. Do you have an imported image or something that you are using as a baseline to draw it from? Anything like that?

I had to abandon a few maps i worked on because of the same problem. The filesize limit.
Its even worse than the mapsize limit. And i simplified where i could simplify.
Restrictions like these prevent any out of the ordinary creativity when it comes to mapbuilding.

I'm using county subdivision shapefiles from here: http://www2.census.gov/cgi-bin/shapefiles2009/national-files
And turning them into .svg with this: http://indiemapper.com/app/

myhand... just what were you trying to do? I can't imagine there was THAT much complexity necessary to the map unless you had 2000 territories or something obscene.

bwog, I know you said you simplified and got bad results but have you played with using different levels of simplification? It's what I did with Ireland and that is still very detailed.

Just take one of the territories/svg files and play around with the settings until you get something you like.

Where are the simplification settings?

Yes there was/is THAT much complexity necessary. Since I had / have some very unique ideas.
Sadly you evidentely lack the imagination for it. Therefore I will create an extra thread to show you what i mean.

Someone is a tad defensive... my comment wasn't meant as an attack but as one of surprise. My biggest map is only 1.4MB despite being fairly high-detail and 1500x2000 pixels. Thus I find it hard to believe that a 3B size limit would prove problematic

bwog,
The simplification settings are as follows:

Edit global inkscape preferences (Shift+Ctrl+P)
Scroll to bottom of list and into 'misc'
Simplification threshold... keep tweaking it til you get what you want. I used 0.0005 for the Ireland map.

Richard its just your arrogance that offends me.
Or is the ignorance? Maybe its the unhealthy cocktail of both.

Impressive response to an olive branch.

But I am just an unimaginative, arrogant and ignorant fool so what do I know...

Changing the simplification threshold changing seems to have worked, 455kb and it doesn't look horrible. Thanks!

@myhand:
Calm down man, what he said was (emphasize added)
|> **I can't imagine** there was THAT much complexity necessary to the map unless you had 2000 territories or something obscene.

Until I saw your reaction I simply interpreted it as "now you're making me curious; what were you trying to do?" and had to reread it to even see why it could have offended you at all...

---

Human communication not only depends on the words used; much information is carried in the intonation, the tone of voice and even facial expressions and other body language while saying it. On a text-only forum, where we can't see each other (the same applies to email by the way), it is incredibly easy to misunderstand someone. Please, when there's any room for interpretation, try to give the benefit of the doubt; if the situation calls for it, you can always get mad and angry and start insulting and calling names two or three posts later.

I wonder why myhand is showing such hostility towards Richard's curiousity..

Glad it helped you bwog. If you aren't pleased with the level of definition I am sure you could tweak it further since you have plenty of room to work with.

'Sok Perrin... I tend to piss people off by being to blunt and honest. Curse of the Masshole.