New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Page 1 of 10 12345678910 LastLast
Results 1 to 30 of 285
  1. - Top - End - #1
    Retired Mod in the Playground Retired Moderator
     
    Gorbash Kazdar's Avatar

    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Gender
    Male

    Default Setting Up A Custom Avatar [OUTDATED]

    NEW THREAD


    This guide is intended to lay out the steps necessary to set up a custom avatar to display on each of your posts. It is suggested you read over the avatar and signature rules before you get started so that you don't run into any problems later.

    The guide assumes you already have an appropriate avatar image and have uploaded it to appropriate webspace. General information about these steps is provided in Appendices A & B.

    Part 1: Get the URL & Image Variables
    Make sure you have the image's URL address. Have it open in a separate window or copy/pasted into a document so you can grab it easily.

    The image URL needs to be complete - this means you must include the http:// prefix, and have the full address to the exact file (usually this ends with the file extension type). Make sure there are no spaces (%20) or other special characters in the address (other than dashes or underscores; -,_). Many times the URL will be case sensitive as well.

    Also make sure you have the height and width of the image in pixels handy.

    Part 2: Bring up Custom Avatar Options
    From any page on the GiantITP forums, click on the User CP option in the upper right toolbar.

    This will bring up your control panel where you can adjust numerous options. In the Control Panel on the right, under the first section Settings & Options, click on Edit Options (it should be the last in the list).

    Scroll down to the last section, Miscellaneous Options.

    Part 3: Set Your Variables
    Under the Avatar section of Miscellaneous Options, click the toggle next to Custom.

    Now, under Custom Avatar URL, paste or type in the URL of the image.

    Under Custom Avatar Width, enter the width of the image in pixels.

    Under Custom Avatar Height, enter the height of the image in pixels.

    Lastly, click on Save Changes.
    You should now be brought back to the main Control Panel page.

    To make sure the avatar is entered correctly, go find a post you have recently made. The image should now show next to your posts.

    Part 4: Troubleshooting
    If you image is not showing up, first make sure the site has fully reloaded and is not simply pulling from your browser cache (press Ctrl+F5 to force a complete reload of the page).

    If the image still does not show up, go back to Miscellaneous Options and make sure all the image variables are entered correctly. Any incorrect values, such as having the height or width off by a pixel or the a typo in the URL, will prevent the image from showing up.

    The image URL is usually case sensitive - if there are any capitalizations, make sure to have these match.

    The board software does not support spaces or most special characters. These will show up as '%##' in the URL; spaces are %20 and are the most common problem in a URL that prevents an avatar from showing up. Dashes or underscores (-,_) are allowed; remove any spaces or replace them with these characters.

    Make sure the image actually is a .gif, a .jpg, or a .png. If it is not, you will need to convert it into one of these formats or find another image.

    Finally, try opening the image in a separate window to make sure it shows up at all. Your hosting site may be down, the image may not have uploaded correctly or have been deleted, or something else may be preventing the image from loading at all.

    If none of this corrects the problem, please feel free to ask for help.

    Appendix A: Acquire an Avatar
    Spoiler
    Show
    Acquiring a custom avatar is actually relatively easy. You can check out the custom avatar request and avatar adoption threads for OotS style avatars, or you can always make your own.

    On the GiantITP forums, you may use a .gif, .jpg, or .png image. The image can have a width of 20-120 pixels, and a height of 20-120 pixels. The forums default to 117x117.

    To double check these variables to make sure an image would fit within the rules, on most browsers right click (or Control + click on most Apples) on the image and select 'Properties.' This will display the image height and width in pixels, its URL, and its size. Right clicking generally also allows you to save the image. Some websites disable right clicking on images, however.

    .gif and .png images both support transparency, while .jpg does not. Also please keep in mind that animated .gif images are not allowed as avatars.


    Appendix B: Uploading the Image
    Spoiler
    Show
    You need to upload the image to a separate hosting service; the GiantITP forums do not allow you to upload directly to our server.

    Free solutions include PhotoBucket and ImageShack, both of which are commonly used throughout the forums. If you have your own server space or other location you can upload to, you may certainly use that as well. These free sites are generally very simple to use and off their own tutorials. Generally, simply select the Upload option, click Browse when it asks you for the file path of the image, find the image on your computer, select it, and upload. After the image uploads, it should provide the image's URL for hotlinking.

    Keep in mind that you will be 'hotlinking' the image from this space, so make sure this is allowed. Many free website hosting services do not allow image hotlinking, which will cause an error image to show up. Worse is hotlinking from someone's personal site without permission - not only is this considered impolite, many webmasters discourage this behavior by setting up obscene or insulting 'trap' images that replace hotlinked images. It is always encouraged that you get your own webspace to host any images you intend to use. Some avatar artists will allow you to hotlink from their hosts, but again it is better to set up your own space.



    NEW THREAD
    Last edited by Rawhide; 2019-11-15 at 10:16 AM. Reason: New thread.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Dallas-Dakota's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2007

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Hi.
    Quote Originally Posted by Gorbash Kazdar View Post
    Appendix A: Acquire an Avatar
    [spoiler]
    On the GiantITP forums, you may use a .gif, .jpg, or .png image. The image can have a width of 20-120 pixels, and a height of 20-120 pixels. The forums default to 117x177.
    I just noticed the thread, and read it, even though I know how to.
    I noticed that in the last line in one of the second last paragraph of Appendix A you mistyped 117X177, as you know(I know you do) and as you said previously in that thread, its 117X117. Just for the case somebody gets confused about it. Just pointing it out.

    Well, have fun.
    D-D
    Last edited by Dallas-Dakota; 2008-11-08 at 03:48 PM.
    Spoiler
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by RabbitHoleLost View Post
    DD: .... DEM HIPS.
    Quote Originally Posted by faerwain View Post
    Why do I have the feeling that you actually really grind Smurfs to make your ice cream?
    Quote Originally Posted by banjo1985 View Post
    My wedding underwear has a picture of Dallas Dakota's face on them.
    Ceikatar!

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    Ash08's Avatar

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Berekely, CA.
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    I tried all of the above troubleshooting, and it didn't work, help please?
    Thank you Lostone for the avatar!

    "I was driven Insane by long periods of horrible saninty"
    -Edgar Alan Poe(yay, the poe guy!)

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Magnificent Boop in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Quote Originally Posted by Ash08 View Post
    I tried all of the above troubleshooting, and it didn't work, help please?
    When I tried going directly the URL indicated by the "Properties" of the "no image found" red X (http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4186/helfbardzgl.png), there was nothing there. Could there be a problem with your image upload or your Imageshack account?

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    Ash08's Avatar

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Berekely, CA.
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    I have no idea, that was simpley the images URL.
    Thank you Lostone for the avatar!

    "I was driven Insane by long periods of horrible saninty"
    -Edgar Alan Poe(yay, the poe guy!)

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Pixie in the Playground
     
    ivendale's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Sumeria
    Gender
    Male

    Exclamation Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    how do i get the url of an image i have created? if i can't get the url how do i use my own avatar?

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RTGoodman's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Eastern NC
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Quote Originally Posted by ivendale View Post
    how do i get the url of an image i have created? if i can't get the url how do i use my own avatar?
    Have you uploaded the image to a hosting site somewhere on the internet? If not, that's your problem.

    Just go to any photo-hosting site (I use Photobucket), create an account, and follow the instructions on how to upload files. Once you'd done so, you should be able to easily find the URL of your image, which is what you put in here to make your avatar show up.
    The Playgrounder Formerly Known as rtg0922

    Homebrew:
    "Themes of Ansalon" - A 4E Dragonlance Supplement
    Homebrew Compendium

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Pixie in the Playground
     
    ivendale's Avatar

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Sumeria
    Gender
    Male

    wink Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Thanks rtg0922 the help is much apriciated, photobucket you say...




    thanks to the help of rtg0922 i can now use my custom avatar (made by me).\
    Last edited by ivendale; 2008-12-10 at 10:30 AM.

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    Nageto004's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Your face
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    I've tryed everything you said but it still says that something is wrong with the avatar.
    Last edited by Nageto004; 2009-05-17 at 06:57 PM.
    Nageto004: your residential paranormal exterminator.

    I can make you an avi.

    IA AWARDS
    Spoiler
    Show


    Spoiler
    Show
    Im a True Neutral Human Wizard (1st Level)

    Ability Scores:
    Strength- 10
    Dexterity- 15
    Constitution- 10
    Intelligence- 14
    Wisdom- 13
    Charisma- 10

    Quote Originally Posted by Deca View Post
    Wow...Epic Ninjaing. Thanks Nageto! And by ninja'ing, I mean me failing a Spot check and somehow not seeing a post that had been there for quarter of an hour.

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Airstrip One

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    What is the exact message it gives? And could you provide a direct link to the image, as it would help identify the problem.

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    AxeD's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2009

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    The Custom Avatar URL field doesn't want to accept my photobucket image.
    I set up a photobucket account, loaded a couple of pictures, viewed the image that I want to use as my avatar and copied the address.

    When I put the address into the Custom Avatar URL field, it doesn't accept it, saying:
    "You did not enter the correct format for the Custom Avatar URL field. Please read the field description for the expected format."

    Here's the address (is the format ok? or do I need to do any additional steps to access the picture by itself? I'm new to photobucket and this is my first custom avatar):

    http://s822.photobucket.com/albums/z...t=path3295.png

    Thanks in advance

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Surgebinder in the Playground Moderator
     
    Douglas's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Mountain View, CA
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    On the page you linked to, look on the left in the "Share this image" box. You need the direct link.
    Like 4X (aka Civilization-like) gaming? Know programming? Interested in game development? Take a look.

    Avatar by Ceika.

    Archives:
    Spoiler
    Show
    Saberhagen's Twelve Swords, some homebrew artifacts for 3.5 (please comment)
    Isstinen Tonche for ECL 74 playtesting.
    Team Solars: Powergaming beyond your wildest imagining, without infinite loops or epic. Yes, the DM asked for it.
    Arcane Swordsage: Making it actually work (homebrew)

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    AxeD's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2009

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Quote Originally Posted by douglas View Post
    On the page you linked to, look on the left in the "Share this image" box. You need the direct link.
    Thanks for the help

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    John Cribati's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    NYC

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    My avatar is getting distended for some reason: this is what it should look like:

    Formerly known as "Herpestidae."
    Most of my posts are done by mobile. Expect typos.
    Quote Originally Posted by Frozen_Feet View Post
    Things don't magically stop being fun when you reach a certain age.

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Astrella's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Either it's too big, or you didn't enter the right dimensions.
    Last edited by Astrella; 2009-09-30 at 02:15 PM.
    I make avatars. Sometimes.
    Spoiler
    Show

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Banned
     
    DarkElfGangsta's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Dominican Republic
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    How doeso ne go about creating a pimped out OOTS style avatar? or contact someone who knows how to make those?

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Airstrip One

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Quote Originally Posted by DarkElfGangsta View Post
    How doeso ne go about creating a pimped out OOTS style avatar?
    Pick a graphics program, start drawing. Then practice until you can create something you'd be willing to show people online.
    I recommend Inkscape, and taking a look at Trazoi's Inkscape guide for OotS avatars. If you have any specific Inkscape questions check The Inkscape Help Thread to see if it's already been answered.

    Quote Originally Posted by DarkElfGangsta View Post
    or contact someone who knows how to make those?
    There's the Avatar Adoption Center and the Request an OotS Style Avatar Thread. Those are the traditional places to look/ask.

  18. - Top - End - #18
    Banned
     
    DarkElfGangsta's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Dominican Republic
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    I had a custom avatar made, it was uploaded to photobucket, I checked the guide, everything is correct, but I'm still getting a message about the url not being correct! what do?
    also thanks for the earlier tips

    Never mind, problem solved as you can see. You guys are doing a great job!
    Last edited by DarkElfGangsta; 2009-11-30 at 08:57 AM.

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Gullara's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Beyond the Wall
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Whenever I ttry to set up my new avatar I get a message saying that the format is wrong. I checked it and I can't figure out the problem.

    Here is the link http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/x...akenMalice.png

    Any help would be great thanks.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    rakkoon's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    it's 94 x 120, perhaps making it one pixel less high will do the trick?


    Spoiler
    Show

    Quote Originally Posted by Lex-Kat View Post
    "Leave my Rakkoon alone!"
    Quote Originally Posted by Kneenibble View Post
    What shall I say to thee, rakkoon, thou cruel,
    Ingrateful, savage and inhuman creature,
    That knewst the very bottom of my soul,
    That almost mightst have coined me into gold
    Wouldst thou have practiced on me for thy use?
    Supa Songs about me

    Thanks to Elder Tsofu for the banner and Rowsen for the avvie!

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Gullara's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Beyond the Wall
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Quote Originally Posted by rakkoon View Post
    it's 94 x 120, perhaps making it one pixel less high will do the trick?
    As you can see that worked less than well Thanks for thying though. Anyone else?

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Airstrip One

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Well, the current problem is that you've entered the truncated URL (complete with ellipsis) into the Custom Avatar field, which is why it's not displaying.
    Regarding the "wrong format" message, try changing the name of your "oots Avatars" folder, I suspect that the board doesn't like the space. When I tried uploading the image to another site (http://i49.tinypic.com/2hcf5ag.png) and setting it as my avatar it worked fine.

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Gullara's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Beyond the Wall
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Thanks for the help. That was pretty much what it was and it is working now.

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    I need help, my custom avatar is not the right size.

    if you need the link to help, here it is:
    http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3134/rangern.jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonprime View Post
    Wouldn't a bulb only be sharp if someone broke it? Oh...wait...that's actually very fitting for this situation. Well played Ranger Mattos. Your metaphor-crafting is masterful indeed.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Silverraptor's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    A nice, sparkly place.
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    Quote Originally Posted by Lord Mattos View Post
    I need help, my custom avatar is not the right size.

    if you need the link to help, here it is:
    http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3134/rangern.jpg
    The problem I see is that you exported it with alot of background instead of on it's own. Make sure you export the figure only.
    My own webcomic. Idiosyncrasy.
    Paladin Academy: Chapter 2 Part 28

    *Avatar by Me*

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Gender
    Female

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    how do I export only the image? aren't I supposed to copy the URL, not the picture?
    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonprime View Post
    Wouldn't a bulb only be sharp if someone broke it? Oh...wait...that's actually very fitting for this situation. Well played Ranger Mattos. Your metaphor-crafting is masterful indeed.

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Airstrip One

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    You made it in Inkscape, yes? When you get to the Export Dialogue, make sure you have just your avatar selected and click Export Area: Selection. Then adjust the dimensions under Bitmap size so that the largest dimension is 120px, change the filename and export.
    Edit: Scratch that, I just now see that you got your avatar from the request thread.
    Anyway, when you upload, make sure not to check the "resize image?" tickbox. And if you're uploading via a URL, make sure that you've just got the url of the image. I'm not sure what exactly went wrong when you uploaded, but I put it up on Imageshack for you anyway. Here:

    http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5964/elfg.png
    Last edited by Keris; 2010-02-01 at 11:05 PM.

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Gender
    Female

    biggrin Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    The new URL dosn't seem to make a difference...

    EDIT: nevermind, it just took a little bit. Thanks a lot!
    Last edited by Ranger Mattos; 2010-02-02 at 08:57 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonprime View Post
    Wouldn't a bulb only be sharp if someone broke it? Oh...wait...that's actually very fitting for this situation. Well played Ranger Mattos. Your metaphor-crafting is masterful indeed.

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    Desmond Tiny's Avatar

    Join Date
    Oct 2009

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    How do I find the URL of an avatar I just got From the Request forums?

    Never mind I reread the guide and found the answer.
    Last edited by Desmond Tiny; 2010-02-12 at 10:23 PM.
    [Insert signature here]

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    deuxhero's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Fl

    Default Re: Setting Up A Custom Avatar

    The guide should note that you can find the dimensions of an image via right click->Properties (changed to view image info in the latest version of Firefox for some reason).

    I have to tell people this WAY too many times.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •