Create your own avatar

[troy]

What's an avatar? Glad you asked. The little image associated with a member that you see next to their posts is called an "avatar". The forum comes with a lot of pre-loaded avatars that you can select from, but most people prefer to create their own custom avatar.

Recently a member asked me how to create an avatar from a photo. Well, if you are a geek with photo editing software, you have lots of options. For example, you can easily create any avatar you could imagine with the $600+ PhotoShop program, but most of us don't have that installed! (Stu, MesaLC4, you guys don't count--you image manipulating geeks!)

So I google'd for free, simple avatar creation tools, and sent the member this URL:
http://www.shrinkpictures.com/create-avatar/

He reported back that it was very easy to use and did the trick, so there is a tip for the mere mortals on how to create a custom avatar from your photo.

NOTE: Avatar size limits increased on 8/21/2008
This forum limits avatars to 100 x 100 pixels in size and no larger than 40KB in size. The tool at the link above makes sure you stay in those limits.

Once you have your new avatar file, you can upload it to the forum using your User Control Panel.

If any of you have some tips or tricks to help members create avatars, post them here.

[iyeager]

I just steal the most flaming picture I can find on this interweb thingie and reduce the size in Windows Picture Viewer.

Ian

[troy]

FYI, I just bumped the limits to 40KB and 100x100 pixels. Enjoy.

[Stu]

Troy,

Your 10K limit was hysterically optimistic. Without being pedantic, semantic or frantic I would like to suggest that your bump to 40K was required to avoid a pistol shot across your bow. 10K? You, Sir, are in my sites (an engraved invitation can be proffered) for running down in the dirt in April.

Stu