.ACI file vs. .ZOO

[CSP 49]

I've been getting a message lately saying I'm approaching maximum file size permitted .ACI format do I wish to convert to .ZOO.

I don't recall getting this message prior to upgrading to ACI 2009. I called tech support and the woman I spoke to said files over 5MB are less stable in .ACI than in .ZOO.

I'm not a much of a tech person and I always assumed a saved file was a saved file whether it was .ACI, .DOC, etc.

Any further explanation is appreciated.

 

[Dave Smith]

ACI -Zoo extensions

CSP:

I have forwarded your questions to my contact at ACI. When I have a response I will post it here.

BTW, I have never gotten that error message. I do know that ACI files are typically more compact, and therefore, smaller than Zoo files and that they load and save faster than Zoo files. I personally prefer the ACI type files.

Dave

 

[John McDonald]

My experience over many years with ACI is that you should convert to zoo otherwise you are apt to corrupt the file when you are still working on it and lose all your work.

 

[BOB PADRICK]

the hidden problem is also that while you might get the report out the day you wrote it, a week or two later when you try to access it again it can be corrupted when you try to open it. Save it as a zoo file if your file sizes exceed 3 megs on even a semi-regular basis. It's always going to be the "special" report, with lots of addendums, that needs to be saved as a zoo file-and that's when you'll likely be in the biggest hurry.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

from online HELP pdf manual within ACI
ACI and ZOO Files
Files with an .ACI file extension are standard Rapid files. Rapid files facilitate storage and electronic delivery of reports including photos, maps, sketches, signatures and any related pages such as the Invoice or Letter of Transmittal, in a single .ACI file.​

.ZOO files, like .ACI, files facilitate the storage of reports in a single file. The .ZOO format accommodates larger file sizes (greater than 10 MB) than the .ACI file format. .ZOO files are fully integrated in Report and are created and used the same as .ACI files.​

NOTE

: Due to their file structure, navigation and processing in .ZOO files is slower than in .ACI files.​

NOTE: Photos and scanned images can quickly inflate total file size. Total image size should be less than 200 KB. Width x Height of 800 x 600 (medium resolution) is a good default photo size. See Editing Images and Auto Resize for additional information.

_______

** in my experience, the #1 reason for inflated file size IS the size of PHOTOS. ​

After downloading photos into photo pages, REDUCE the sizes B4 closing the report. Using a FREE photo reduction/resizer utility ​

tool/program (kept on your desktop) ........SOLVES the problem in seconds.​

http://adionsoft.net/fastimageresize/​

** since using the photo resizer above, even with up to 12 subject pix plus up to 7-9 compix ......... have NOT received "file size warning" or had a file get corrupted. Like others above, I keep files BELOW 5Mb as well. Usually photo reduction does that with no other revisions necessary.​

 

[CSP 49]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to do something with my photos. With approx. 15 photos per report I'm usually around 10MB per file. I delete out single page that is not used and still seem to have huge files.

 

[OSU Beavers]

Just a warning if you use eServices to transmit reports to Quantrix do not convert to a .ZOO file. Their system can not take it.