Creating and Uploading Avatars

[Catharina]

Originally Posted by Catharina

I'm wondering about something... When I create avatars and make sure they're the right size etc. I ran into problems when I upload them here. Is there some kind of extra compression used on this forum when one uploads an image? The avatars are crisp and clear before I upload them but then some kind of algorithm is being used and boom - the avatar comes out smudgy and blurry. A funny thing happened when I tried to change the avatar yesterday. The one I had here before seemed okay but after trying out new pics I uploaded the old one back to my user profile and noticed that the image quality worsened considerably. I would really like it if the image quality stayed the same as I intended it.

I just realized the 80x80 avatar is being resized into a bigger avatar that is visible in the discussions (and which will also look blurrier than the original since it is upscaled). Why? Wouldn't it be easier and simpler if the users could upload an avatar in size 100x100 (or certain kB size) and as long as it would fulfill those requirements, it would be the size that would be used. No extra compressions, no scaling and no blurry pics that look bad. That's how it is usually done on several message boards.

It would be great if someone in charge could answer this one.

[Warren]

How are you uploading them?
If you upload avatars as thumbnails then it should be a case of what you see is what you get. I've not encountered a compression issue before.
80x80 is the designated size for member avatars; they can be smaller but not larger.

[Jazz]

Administrator,

I would like to change my avatar from Anne Bolyn to Balmoral Castle. How do I do that, please?

Thanks for any help,
Jazz

[iceflower]

_________________


Jazz, here's the relevant part from our FAQs, hope that helps

How do I set signatures, avatars and profile pictures?

You can set and change your signature, avatar and profile picture in the User Control Panel (providing the administrator has made these options available).

For signatures, click on 'Edit Signature' under the 'Settings and Options' area of the navigation bar within the User CP.

To select an existing or upload a new avatar, click on 'Edit Avatar'.

To upload a profile picture, click on 'Edit Profile Picture' in the 'Your Profile' section.

The User Control Panel can be reached through the "User CP" link top left!

If you've created an avatar of Balmoral Castle yourself, it's as easy as choosing an existing one from our galleries.

[dazzling]

How do you create an avatar double border?
I tried the steps in the thread but didn't work.

[Princess Robijn]

Originally Posted by dazzling

How do you create an avatar double border?
I tried the steps in the thread but didn't work.

What program are you using?

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by Princess Robijn

What program are you using?

Photoshop CS5.

[Princess Robijn]

I don't have (full) Photoshop.

A good tutorial:

How to Add a Border to a Picture in Photoshop | eHow.com

[Duchess of Darwin]

I have a Picture I really want to use as an Avatar at some point, but it has a white background. Will it automatically aquire a black border like Catharina's if I use it? It's not from this site, if that's any help.

[Princess Robijn]

No, you have to add the border manually. If you don't know how to do that or if you don't have the correct programs, you can pm me the picture, I'll do it for you.

PR

[Duchess of Darwin]

Thanks. I don't know how to add a border. I'll send the picture to you in a private message.

[Noble Consort Ming]

Is it considered bad form on this forum to change your avatar? By that I mean are you supposed to keep the same one you started with? I'm asking because I just changed mine and I don't know if that's frowned upon.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Noble Consort Ming

Is it considered bad form on this forum to change your avatar? By that I mean are you supposed to keep the same one you started with? I'm asking because I just changed mine and I don't know if that's frowned upon.

Certainly not, think I've changed mine almost every month since I joined which was 2005! :)

[Noble Consort Ming]

^Thanks so much for answering. I thought I would keep my original avatar forever since I took my name from the picture but I couldn't resist using this photo of the former Queen Hope of Sikkim with little Princess Hope.