Hi TweenGuy,
(I think) The size of the file that you get have nothing to do with AE. Its depends of the codec your using and the parameters your applying. With Sorenson if you want to reduce the size of the file you have three modes to do it:
– Reducing the quality..
– Spacing the numbers of Keyframes (more KFs+more size..but more quality)
– Lowering the Data Rate. This button allows you to decide the size of your file.
You can calculate, before rendering, the final size easily. In Sorenson3 the deffault is automatic. if you choose manual in the window you will see 6.400 Kbits/s. You divide by 1.000 and you get 6’4 Mbits/s.
This are Mbits. To convert to Mbyts you have to divide by 8 (because 1Byte= 8Bits).
Then you get the Mbyts per second of your file. Multiply per the number of seconds..
You have to play with the three buttons to get what you want. But as long as you are using 720x 576 I don’t think you can get very small files keeping good quality.
If you are working with pictures (so there is not movement) you can space the keyframes a lot. Try and see in the transitions that is the only place you can have some problems.
Salud.
Rafael