How do you make an avatar image?

[intheflow]

I see the rules, it can't be over 3KB or 48x48 pixels. But somehow, no matter what I try, it's either so pixelated it's unrecognizable or DU says it's too big to load even if Photoshop tells me it's coming in under 3KB. WTF am I doing wrong? How can I make it right? I mean, I love Yoda as much as the next person, but I want something uniquely me.

[hyphenate]

1. You need an image

that isn't particularly complex--the simpler the better. You will also need to convert the image to gif, rather than jpg.

You can use a wide variety of programs to shrink it down to the right size--since the image needs to be 48x48, you should make the image you want as square as possible to start with, so that it won't be too distorted when you shrink it.

I would recommend MicroAngelo which is a specific icon making software (you can probably get a trial version online that should work), or even Microsoft Picture (I believe that's what it's called) to do the work for you. I'm not certain, but the freeware program Irfanview should also be able to handle all these tasks for you (I use a different program called CompuPic for cataloging).

Any work you need to do on it should be done before you shrink it, except for the optimization. When it's finally down to the right size, you can run it through an optimizer (there are several online you can work with) to reduce the actual file size--one of the things it does is reduce the amount of colors in the picture, which is why the image needs to be in "gif" format, and not jpg.

Hope that helps.

[intheflow]

3. Thanks!

That was very helpful! :hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

2. Can you post the pic you want as avatar here

or send me a PM? I'd be happy to work on it. :hi:

[intheflow]

4. This is the image.

I've been trying to crop it into a square with just the owl's head. To do that so it looks okay, I have to take off almost half the bottom and shave a little from the top of his ears.
If you can do this, you will once again prove to be my hero! :loveya:

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. 48px X 48px and 2.39KB

[intheflow]

7. That's so beautful!!

Thank you, thank you! :loveya:

[Call Me Wesley]

6. Omphaloskepsis beat me to it. ;)

:hi:

[intheflow]

8. Well...

you're still my hero, CMW! :loveya:

[Call Me Wesley]

9. Awwww ...

:hug: