That's a great option. Thanks a lot!
I've noticed that page 275 of the Bestiary (the Wasp page) still has the hardback's background. If it's of any use I'm opening the pdf in Preview 5.5.1 (719.16) on MacOS 10.7.3.
I mentioned this in another thread, but it appears as though this one would be more proper: all but the GMG and IWSG download and open fine on my iPad. The other two are over 100 MB and will not open/download.
Now that I've had time to play with these a little, I'd like to offer some stats for debugging / further optimizing purposes.
I have an iPad 3 64GB CDMA (Verizon) and it renders the ISWG without issue, along with the others. The non-lite PDFs were usable, but a little slow. These PDFs are zoom zoom fast. So now I have another reasonably zippy choice for reference on my tablet while playing.
Just for giggles, I put the lite PDFs on my iPhone 4 16GB CDMA (Verizon). They're just as zippy there, though I do need to zoom in to actually read things. :)
Both devices are running iOS 5.1.1.
Senior Software Developer
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Also can you purchase a lite pdf without the regular pdf version? I already have most of the regular pdf's.
Just go to your My Downloads page, the lite versions will be there, no extra charge.
Load times are much better. Thank you--this will make it more likely I will reference my .pdfs in game.
I'm confused in the case of the Inner Sea World Guide... the version I downloaded when I bought it weighs in at 155mb. The new 'Lite' version is 249mb. The new non-lite version is 289mb.
I'm confused in the case of the Inner Sea World Guide... the version I downloaded when I bought it weighs in at 155mb. The new 'Lite' version is 249mb. The new non-lite version is 289mb.
I'm gonna pull a random postulation out of my posterior and presume this is because of the way the data is compressed and/or accessed? Like, the "lite" files are "larger" but they load all at once, so once you have the thing up, it works just fine. As opposed to say the "normal" files, which keep loading various layered assets over and over again, making them slow to use.
Thank you very much, an awesome idea.
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I've loaded the lite version of the Inner Sea World Guide's map to my Kindle Touch 3G. This is the middle of the road Kindle that released along with the Fire. It does not handle the map very well, managing to crash the Kindle. All I did to cause it was zoom in. The ISWG book itself works fine, except on a few pages where I got a message saying it could not load it. I'm going to assume that the ISWG is just too graphically heavy for it.
The other hardbacks as far as I can tell work much better. Very happy with how they turned out :)
Thanks for this post about the differences and for doing this! :) I've actually decided that for PDFs the Lite is better, as while the fancy side logos are nice, they aren't really necessary so smaller file size is all around better :)
I have not seen the issue with the size of the files.
Downloaded the CRB and it was 50mgs compared to 77mgs for normal version. Just downloaded the Bestiary and it was about the same size as the full version.
The point isn't a smaller file size, that's a side effect. The intent is less border artwork, etc that takes time to load up on an iPad/iPhone/Kindle/etc. or lower end computers.
As I just did to make my decision to use the LITE PDFs, compare the two PDF files of the same book in your PDF program and you will see that for example, I used Ultimate Magic.
Hands down, the full size is much prettier with it's brownish scrollwork around the edges. However, with the Lite version being just a mostly white page with the necessary information and and artwork will just load faster.
Loving the new lite versions. I run my laptop on low power, and it seems that the lite versions load a lot more smoothly when I'm skimming for information. Page loads much faster... Well done, Digital Maestros!
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I just wanted to put in my personal testimony as to why this was a good idea for Paizo.
When I heard about this I was immediately overcome with the urge to by a PDF, even though I don't even play Pathfinder. I just wanted to support such good customer support. I came to my senses, however I did start thinking about Pathfinder and in the following days found myself perusing the PFSRD, particularly the Summoner from the APG.
Well it just so happens that same week at Pathfinder Society game is running near my house. Bingo, I buy the APG, have a fun time at PFS game, and am now back perusing the site for things related to the character I just played.
Open rules + PDFs + Organized Play = More money going to Paizo. Keep it up.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Does anyone know if their other PDF's will be offered as lite as well, or new ones from here on? I'm wanting to run Carrion Crown but the normal PDF's don't work to well on my kindle fire. The lite one work wonderfully
Right now, Lite options are only available for the hardcover books.
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It looks like all the LITE versions are now reasonable in filesize now... except the ISWG. I realize the point isn't to decrease filesize, but it's ENORMOUS compared to the others and I really can't imagine a good excuse for that. The non-lite version even somehow grew to enormous sizes so I have to keep a copy of my old PDF I downloaded and remember never to "update" it. Particularly in the case of the regular version, is there any justification for the filesize to have grown so high? Were the images all upped to higher resolution versions or something?
I gotta say, I just replaced my hardcover pdfs with the lite version on my Kindle Fire. There are absolutely no load times between pages. And it is still ascetically pleasing. I love it. Great job!
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It looks like all the LITE versions are now reasonable in filesize now... except the ISWG. I realize the point isn't to decrease filesize, but it's ENORMOUS compared to the others and I really can't imagine a good excuse for that. The non-lite version even somehow grew to enormous sizes so I have to keep a copy of my old PDF I downloaded and remember never to "update" it. Particularly in the case of the regular version, is there any justification for the filesize to have grown so high? Were the images all upped to higher resolution versions or something?
My theory is that there must have been a variation between exports. The old version was exported by a different staff member on an entirely different machine. The new version is exported at out standard settings for all PDFs. I'll put this on my to-do list to look into.
I reckon this offer do not apply to those who bought the hardcover books outside of Paizo, such as a local hobby store?
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I recently purchased the APG and ARG. I download both in the lite format to put them over on my Nook Tablet. I an very please with the way they run on my two computers and am getting ready to transfer the files to my Nook.
Also, one of my main reason for getting into Pathfinder is the VAST availability of the material as PDFs. This make traveling to PFS event easier on me as I can carry my Nook and have all of my books at my fingertips without taking a suitcase.
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It looks like all the LITE versions are now reasonable in filesize now... except the ISWG. I realize the point isn't to decrease filesize, but it's ENORMOUS compared to the others and I really can't imagine a good excuse for that. The non-lite version even somehow grew to enormous sizes so I have to keep a copy of my old PDF I downloaded and remember never to "update" it. Particularly in the case of the regular version, is there any justification for the filesize to have grown so high? Were the images all upped to higher resolution versions or something?My theory is that there must have been a variation between exports. The old version was exported by a different staff member on an entirely different machine. The new version is exported at out standard settings for all PDFs. I'll put this on my to-do list to look into.
Has there been any progress on fixing the file size of the ISWG? I know you guys have full plates, but its been a couple months. Checked today, its still massive.
hey and whats if i buy those books from amazon? how can i get the lite pdf versions?
The Lite version of the PDF is available in the download package that is added to your account for purchasing the PDF version of the book. Free PDFs are only available through a subscription from Paizo (and only PDFs of books you would receive upon subscribing).
The Lite versions of the PDF have been exported with compressed and simplified page backgroundsWhat exactly is meant by "... simplified page backgrounds"...
Would it be possible for someone to upload one sample of a "lite" version page pdf so I can see what is being referred to here?Thank you
I don't have one handy to upload, but basically, the background is simpler and less ornate. The majority of the background behind the text is a uniform color, with a faint pattern along the outer margin of each double-page spread (on the left on even pages, on the right on odd pages).
The regular version has more of a parchment look to them, around the entire page, but is more clear behind the text than at the page edges. And the ornate curlicue stuff is a little more pronounced, but again, this doesn't interfere with the text.
If you purchase a pdf, you get both the lite and the full versions.
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Has there been any progress on fixing the file size of the ISWG? I know you guys have full plates, but its been a couple months. Checked today, its still massive.It looks like all the LITE versions are now reasonable in filesize now... except the ISWG. I realize the point isn't to decrease filesize, but it's ENORMOUS compared to the others and I really can't imagine a good excuse for that. The non-lite version even somehow grew to enormous sizes so I have to keep a copy of my old PDF I downloaded and remember never to "update" it. Particularly in the case of the regular version, is there any justification for the filesize to have grown so high? Were the images all upped to higher resolution versions or something?My theory is that there must have been a variation between exports. The old version was exported by a different staff member on an entirely different machine. The new version is exported at out standard settings for all PDFs. I'll put this on my to-do list to look into.
I realize that this is an old thread, but my ISWG files are massive. I can open any of other lite PDF on my phone or kindle paper white with no issues. That one brings the phone or kindle paper white to it's knees. Any progress on getting this re-exported with a proper lite format? The single chapter files are slightly more manageable but the total is still 245mb, compared to 42mb for the Bestiary 3.
I have this on my list to go back and evaluate, but it's gotten shoved down farther than I'd like. We'll see what we can do to get it addressed soon.
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I have this on my list to go back and evaluate, but it's gotten shoved down farther than I'd like. We'll see what we can do to get it addressed soon.
Thanks Chris. Its a gaping hole in the "lite" line of PDFs. Thanks for making all the rest "lite" though, it much easier on my PCs memory when I'm working in 4-5 books at once during character creation :)
...plus my own 28-page custom folio pdf...