Maximum project size to run in app

Feb 19, 2013

Hi, is there a recommended maximum project size that will run comfortably in the Mobile Player App? 

7 Replies
Christine Hendrickson

Hi Ed,

Are you experiencing an issue with a course you're running through the app, or are you just looking for general information?

It really depends on the user's internet connection and the amount of media/data in the course. For example, if a user has a very high bandwidth connection, they'll be able to view a very large course pretty easily. If a user has a slower internet connection, they may be able to view the course, but it may take some additional time for the course to load or play. 

So, say for example, you plan on distributing your course only to users that work within a specific company, that will be using the company's internet access. If that access is pretty solid, you wouldn't need to be too concerned with the amount of content in the course. On the other hand, if you're planning to distribute to users that won't be in the same area, on the same type of connection, or have limited access to internet, scaling down on the content may improve functionality for those users.

Ed Hickey

Thanks Christine. I'm actually more worried about the app crashing. Our client has mentioned that the course we have developed for them (and tested through the app) is crashing for them. I'm trying to get more details. I believe they're on ipad 2's running iOS 5. I was wondering was there an upper limit in terms of file size or number of slides before the app runs into difficulties?

Christine Hendrickson

Hi Ed,

As far as I know, there isn't a set limit for content. I think it may have something to do with the way the content is being viewed on their iPads, or specific content in the course causing the crashes. However, without seeing it - I can't really say that is definitely the case. 

If you're able to get some additional information with them, we can try testing the course as well, to see if we can pinpoint the cause for the crashes. 

You'll be able to attach the .STORY file on the second page of the following form (you may also want to include a link to your published project so we can see if there's a difference on our servers):

Articulate Support - Submit a Support Case

Please be sure to include a description of your issue. Please also include the URL for this thread in the form. Also, please share the case number with me. You're welcome to do so here, or in a private message. This way I can follow the progress of the case and update this thread.

Thanks Ed!

Christine Hendrickson

Hi Isa,

Not as far as I know. I think the limits would really depend on the devices used to view the courses, as well as the user's bandwidth/internet access. For example, if the user has a smaller amount of storage available on their iPad, they won't be able to download as much as users with devices with larger capacity. Generally, though, most who are able to get those types of devices tend to purchase the ones that can hold quite a bit of data. I also haven't seen a course large enough that it wouldn't save to my iPad. Then again, though, I'm not working with courses that are being distributed to thousands of other users or that are designed for hours of use.

It's really best to just imagine your users and how they're viewing the content. You should have a pretty good idea of how your users are set up. If your users come from a wide variety of areas, or if they're not with the same company/school, or may not have the same type of devices (or similar ones), it's probably best to  make sure your course isn't extremely large. If you know your users will be accessing the course with fairly up to date devices, or you know they'll have decent internet access, you should be safe distributing a large course for them to view. 

If you're having any trouble with storing the course, we'd be happy to take a look at it.

Gary Williams

Hi , I have experienced some issues in launching projects in the app also and found that shortening the URL file name seems to have worked. The project launced perfectly on desktops, but would not work at all on the ipad articulate app.  Is anyone aware of a maximum number of characters the source url can be for the app?

Leslie McKerchie

Hi Gary!

This thread is a bit dated, but here is our documentation:

Be sure the file paths to your projects and published output are well under the 260-character limit imposed by Microsoft Windows. (Publishing adds characters to the file path you selected. If it exceeds 260 characters, your published output will be incomplete.)

Avoid using special characters, accents, or symbols in your file paths and file names. Learn more about naming conventions in this Microsoft article.

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