@DanMatrix:
Could anyone educate me in how to make a picture avatar compatible? Is there a site I can use or do I need a photo program? The pic I have is 8 megapixels, 2.2mb file size and is definately over the pixels requirement so I would have to resize it and lower the file size. I could retake a pic on the attachments setting with my camera but I believe it would still be too big.
I'm just wondering if theres an easy site or way to do this?
Thanks for any advice.
I think the easiest way to do it is via a program like Photoshop, GIMP or any other image manipulation program. That way you have more control over it.
I suggest GIMP as it is free. Just open up the image file you want to use as an avatar. Make sure to do any effects you want on it first. If you need to crop the image as you don't want some parts, then I suggest you crop it in a rough shape the avatar needs to be. Like a square. Once that's done, go to 'Scale Image' in the Image pull down menu. In the popup box change the first pull down to use pixels. Most sites use pixels for the measurements, for example 120x120 for a square avatar (I'll use this number as an example further down). So you can then modify it down to the size you need.
First thing to note, the chain you see in between the numbers keeps in in proportion. You'll notice that if you type 120 in one, the other one will scale down. You'd want to make sure that 120 pixels is the biggest number used of the two so the avatar is accepted once you upload to the site you wish to use it for. Basically if the site accepts a size of 120x120, then 120x82 is good, 82x120 is good, 120x168 is bad, 168x120 is bad. These values are basically the size/shape of the image.
Second thing, if you unlock the chain by clicking on it, the image will then distort. This lets you force it to any shape you want. Such as 120x120. Keep in mind though it will either looked stretched or squashed. So you'll want to avoid that unless that's what you're going for.
The last thing you have to look at is the resolution. It's the bottom option in the Scale Image popup window. Make sure that the chain is on and it's pixel/in(ch). 100 or a bit lower is good enough. Any more and it would make the file size bigger and for the screen, it's pointless as it won't improve the quality. Make sure that both values scale to the same value. For example 100x100. These values refer to the dots that make up the image.
Hit the Scale button and save the file in what format you need. Be it JPG, PNG or whatever and your done. All you need to do then is upload to the site you want to use it. Most sites let you upload a file directly from your drives. Otherwise just host it somewhere and link it.
One more thing. it's always better to scale down than scale up. It's less blurry that way unless you're looking to use vector art.
Vector art has no resolution (since they're usually drawn or made in an illustration program) and can be very small in size. Complicated ones can be large though. It's usually best that you make them to the size you need. It's really a lot different, and since I don't think you'll be drawing up your avatar that way, I won't go into it. :P
Lastly, the process is different for animated files, but it's not that much different in regards to resizing. Usually I'd recommend you do the size of all the images then animate them together in an animation program. One thing to note is that the longer it is, the bigger file size it is. Of course if you're modifying an existing animated file the process is different. Once again, I won't go into more since that's a different thing altogether. :P