02-08-2001 05:38									#1
	So how do you get your avatar the right size? Remove this text

Yes this is one reason I'm using such a generic avatar. Even this one I had trouble reducing. And I can't remember exactly how I did it.

What are some methods of reducing the size? And what format do you guys use? all I have to work with is photodeluxe. although I also have microsoft paintbush.

	02-08-2001 08:44									#2
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There are two popular image formats: GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) and JPEG (Joint Photograhic Experts Group), although you really should use PNG (Portable Network Graphics) instead of GIF, since GIF uses a patented compression algorithm which is owned by Unisys.

At any rate GIF allows you to have transparent backgrounds while JPEG doesn't, but JPEG allows true colour but GIF only 256 colours. JPEG is much better for things such as photographs while GIF for charts, etc.

To get an avatar of the right size is easy, you start out with the right size. When you start creating your avatar use a 64x64 canvas so you don't have to shrink it down.

Of course, if you are using an existing photograph or image, you can always attach it here and ask for help

	02-08-2001 09:27									#3
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I'm not much of an artist. I just take an existing photograph and modify it to my liking

how do you tell how wide and long it is?

	02-08-2001 09:42									#4
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If you are using a photo you probably want to stick with the JPEG format. As for size the program you use should tell you. I don't use neither of the program you mentioned so I can't give you specific help. However I can help you shrink the image after you are done modifying.

	02-08-2001 15:57									#5
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quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger although you really should use PNG (Portable Network Graphics) instead of GIF, since GIF uses a patented compression algorithm which is owned by Unisys.

So sue me Do they seriously expect me to pay them for putting a picture up?

	02-08-2001 22:14									#6
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Via trial and error

	02-08-2001 23:01									#7
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I use Microsoft Paint in order to modify my Avatars to the correct size. First thing to do is cut out the part of the picture that you want to use as an Avatar (make the cut-out as square as possible). Move the cut-out to the top-left of the picture frame. Now resize the picture frame by dragging the frame's edges so that they're aligned with the square that you cut out; this will automatically crop the rest of the picture, so now all you have is a square with your future Avatar in it. Now go to Image, Attributes; the program will say what the dimensions of your picture are. If they're less than or equal to 64 pixels then you're done. Otherwise, take a calculator, and apply the formula: 64 / (largest dimension of your picture) * 100. Now go to Image, Stretch/Skew, and put that number in both the Horizontal and Vertical boxes. That should shrink your picture down to 64x64 pixels (check Image, Properties again to make sure), and voila, you can now upload your Avatar.

	03-08-2001 00:48									#8
	Remove this text

I've got Micro$crap photodraw here, so I can resize whatever picture you want me to, if you post it.

	03-08-2001 01:13									#9
	Inflate your Upload Space

I did mine almost exactly the same as technophile did.

	03-08-2001 08:31									#10
	Put an end to popups!

It works, but only for JPEG and non-transparent GIF images. Transparent ones are a pain and you never want to shrink or enlarge them.


PH,

Maybe they'd seize your computer

	03-08-2001 10:52									#11
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thanks for the tips

I won't get a chance to change it till next week

	03-08-2001 15:47									#12
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UR, they'd have to find me first and then come and get it off me. I'd like to see them try!

Resizing is easy enough, just make it 64x64. But just one thing to note, try and set up your invisible background before resizing, otherwise in reduction the background and object itself get blended in to maintain the appearance when reduced. It will not do this with a transparent background (unless you have a fancy package like Photoshop (ah, dreams, if only ) and can specify these things)...

	09-08-2001 11:43									#13
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I still haven't decided what I want to do for my avatar.

I'll stick with this for now.

	11-08-2001 07:42									#14
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I use a gif animator, here is a link to a site with avitars and you can resize them online to suit your needs.


http://gifs123.tripod.com/page29/index.html

	11-08-2001 08:28									#15
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PH,

The best way to deal with transparent GIF files is not to resize them. Otherwise there will be problems with blending, and you need to go in there with a microscope and fix them pixel by pixel. A real pain in the neck.

Even with PhotoShop you have to do the same thing.

	12-08-2001 01:07									#16
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What I mean is UR if you are dealing with a larger picture and need to reduce it. As there is nothing like alpha blending in GIFs, if the original image consists of discrete lines and colours, they would be blended if reduced. If you set the background colour first, there will be no blending with the background colour so you can go straight on and use the GIF.

	14-08-2001 10:06									#17
	testing avatar photo Full PM-box? Change here!

Does it work?

edit; NO. Can someone offer some help here?

	14-08-2001 11:14									#18
	Re: testing avatar photo Increase the size of your Attachments

quote: Originally posted by Exile Does it work? edit; NO. Can someone offer some help here?

Well, we don't know until you tell what you want Just attach the picture you want avatarised...

	14-08-2001 11:28									#19
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Here it is. It's a jpg and I would like to see it at the side over there as an avatar, not a big picture in the post itself. The task has proven to difficult for me, apparently.

Attachment: exile95a.jpg
This has been downloaded 72 time(s).

	15-08-2001 14:44									#20
	Put an end to popups!

Okay, which part of that image you want to be your avatar? The whole thing is too big to fit: you'll lose a lot of details.

	15-08-2001 14:53									#21
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Sample of what the avatar will look like.

There's a limitation on the avatar. Dimension cannot be bigger than 64 x 64 pixels and file size at 10K or less.

Attachment: dummy2.jpg
This has been downloaded 70 time(s).

	16-08-2001 01:25									#22
	You are correct. Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

First of all, THANK YOU, UR, for helping out.

About the image; can you cut off a significant amount of the top part of the original photo? It seems that if we could do that, it would leave a good part of the original image intact. You are correct in pointing out that in reducing the image to the size you have there, it tends to lose most if not all detail. I think that some of the bottom of the original image could be cropped as well. I suppose that I should state that my intention is to create an avatar that is sufficiently clear enough to enable others to see who I am. I very much dislike "hiding" behind an anonymous username and want others to know to whom they are speaking.

Exile

Last edited by Exile on 16-08-2001 at 01:30

	16-08-2001 10:21									#23
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Here's a cropped version. Please comment.

Attachment: dummy2.jpg
This has been downloaded 66 time(s).

	16-08-2001 11:34									#24
	Thanks, UR Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

How do I take the image you've produced and place it as an avatar?

Exile

	16-08-2001 12:49									#25
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well the easiest way would be to right click on the picture and left click save picture as. save it to a file you can remember. then click on control panel on the apolyton forum page, go to edit options. at the bottom is the avatar. click on change avatar. they have a nifty button on the next web page that comes up. You can browse any file in your hard drive, and select any picture you want. If it is the right size, apolyton will accept it.

I know that is a very detailed description. I hope none of that is too obvious.

	16-08-2001 13:54									#26
	Put an end to popups!

quote: Originally posted by Urban Ranger ...although you really should use PNG (Portable Network Graphics) instead of GIF, since GIF uses a patented compression algorithm which is owned by Unisys.

It is all right to use GIFs, as long as your graphics program has paid the licensing fee to Unisys there should be no conflict. But even if it isn't licensed, don't worry. Nobody likes Unisys anyway.

	17-08-2001 07:24									#27
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Sadly it's not the program that needs to pay it's the images. Even if nobody likes Unisys it's the principle that counts

	17-08-2001 07:31									#28
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Yikes! Exile's avatar looks fuzzy I hope this new one is better

Attachment: dummy2.jpg
This has been downloaded 57 time(s).

	17-08-2001 10:04									#29
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Exile, if you want IO could rotate your avatar to the right 15 degrees and crop it to a larger view of your face. And there'd be enough room for a title, like "Exile" running along the side.

	18-08-2001 01:42									#30
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Why don't you cut the face from the background?

Attachment: attachment.gif
This has been downloaded 47 time(s).