What is an acceptable file size for a new UTX file?

[DieHard SCWS]

I still have to finish my work on the SGC project. And for a long time i wanted to ask what you guys think about acceptable file size for a new utx package.


Right now its 18 Mb in size, so what do you guys think about that? Should i keep it that way or split it up?



PS i might also gonna ask this in the UT forums from Beyond Unreal and on the UnrealSP.Org.
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[Turboman.]

18mb is perfectly acceptable for a well sized map/mod if you ask me, just don't think of ever putting that on a server without download redirect though

With 227 here, the concern of keeping packages as small as possible (lolmaps and lolguns under 500kb haha) is over, now it all depends on hosting and bandwidth.

[GreatEmerald]

If there is reason beyond filesize to split it, then do so, if not, it's all good.

[[]KAOS[]Casey]

I prefer one time large downloads to multiple small ones.

[GreatEmerald]

Multiple small ones have the advantage of being cached if your internet goes down, a big one has the advantage of being uninterrupted and thus download faster, plus it is usually easier for admins since they don't need to UnrealZip too many files (although with Gugi's UnrealDeps it's rather easy).

[DieHard SCWS]

I didnt mention it, but the package i ment is the SGC_A_URP.utx The map itself currently is well over 7 MB and the map uses a bunch of utx files:

Abydos_A_URP.utx 1.65 Mb (S3TC Unknown size)
Celestial_A_URP.utx 2.22 Mb (S3TC  60 Mb)
SGC_CountDown_URP.utx 2.40 Mb (S3TC  54 Mb)
SGC_Deco_URP.utx 2.03 Mb (S3TC  51 Mb)
SGC_Electra_URP.utx 7.53 Mb (S3TC 202 Mb)
SGC_ElectraAni_URP.utx 3.65 Mb (S3TC Unknown size)
SGC_A_URP.utx 17.98 Mb (S3TC 520 Mb)




CTF Support package:

SGC_CTF_URP.utx 9.81 Mb (S3TC 364 Mb)




Texture Editing Support package:

SGC_Align_URP.utx 3.19 Mb (S3TC   3 Mb)




Additional supporting packages that will be released but likelly not included in the map:

CRT_UnrealFlyby_URP.utx 2.03 Mb (S3TC  35 Mb)
LCD_UnrealFlyby_URP.utx 2.03 Mb (S3TC  36 Mb)


Total size is: 53.51 Mb (S3TC 1324 Mb) per game.

Makes the total release for Unreal and UT combined:
107.02 Mb (S3TC 2648 Mb)

Plus of course the map for Unreal and the map for UT, both released as normal map and as CTF map. So thats another 28 Mb of maps. Which than means the total endresult is 2783.02 Mb (well in the current state )


I did already split the packages in a range of others, and i also added the _A in the name so there always can be made a follow up package in the near or further future. Apart from that my point of view is to keep the packages intact and not to split them up. Its more overseable for mappers.


But at the same time i think 18 plus Mb is allot to download for the players. And in that respect splitting the package isnt that a bad idea. And of course my goal is that mappers will start using the packages for mapping, which is the reason i added alot more textures than i used myself.


So throw in your dice based on above info as well
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[Turboman.]

I agree with Casey, i'd rather have one single, well organized package, its less clutter (i prefer having well organized files over random cache clutter)

Besides, the filesize issue shouldn't matter nowadays with 227 and redirect, and any well sized basic map is already between 10-20mb.

[Turboman.]

Well i guess its a personal preference but i think your method is pretty solid as well.

Personally i like to work with single massive files, and just keep everything grouped inside them (textures, sounds etc). I mostly do this for transfer purposes as i make regular backups and keep track of them on multiple pc's.

Common habit among unreal maps that absolutely disgusts me is OVER-fragmentation of files, sometimes i want to play a map, and i have to go hunt for 50 invidividual .u files (JUMPPAD.U, REDSHIELDBELT.U, PURPLERIFLE.U, FIREPUFF.U, SOMEITEM.U, SOMEITEM2.U), highly fustrating

My personal goal is to merge as much as possible, and the limit is around 80-100mb, i don't pity the people who cannot redirect