Flash takes too long to load online

Question

Hi All,
I am creating a web page using flash and it takes a long time
to load when you go to the webpage. it opens as if it is working,
but then the links don't work properly...that is...until at the
bottom of the browser window it says "done" instead of "waiting for
http://www.blah blah blah..." once it
says "done" it works just fine.
two questions:
1. is there a way to reduce the size of the flash file so
that it loads quicker online?
2. OR..does anyone know how to create that little "intro"
screen when you go to a website that says "loading" and you see a
little bar loading....and then only when it is COMPLETELY loaded,
does the flash begin?
thanks so much!

Answer 1

Hi Meesh, I know exactly how you feel, I was there when i
first started. Worry not!! Best and to keep your loading time down,
is to keep your .SWF files separate, and load them into your site
according.
eg..
Template ---=> make sure this ONLY consisits of the site's
look, and navigation.
BG pics -----=> make a separate SWF containing your pics
if they are quite large in size.
Each Page --=> make each page separate SWF, and load them
separately via your navigation.
Basically when planning your site, think how you can break it
up into sections that you can load separately.
Then use the pre-loading code that Michaeltowse gave you, at
the beginning of each separate SWF you make, to make it all
complete with a loading bar.
Hope this helps. Good luck