The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Here is a re-post of the Cocker Avatar Guide.

The site I use to put together the GIF is http://gifmake.com/

Here are the step by step instructions on how to use that site:

1. When you get to the site, you will get this screen


2. Click "Browse" to find the pictures you would like to use:


3. Select the first file you want to use, and click "Open"


4. Now you will have a screen that looks like this; Click Upload


5. Now that you have uploaded your first picture, you will need to change the "time" on it, otherwise your avatar will go WAY too fast!


6. Change the time to 200 (if you like the speed that mine is at)


7. Do the same 6 steps as above, until you have all of your pictures


8. On the Resize choice, click "To Specific Size(pixels)" I usually put in 155x155 to start with, and then click "Generate"


9. Now that you have Generated it: you need to save it, click "Download"


10. If you are using Firefox, you will get a screen that looks like this. Click "OK" (for those using IE or others, you will do the same thing, but the screen will look slightly different)


11. Now this is where it tells me the size of the file...63.1KB ... PERFECT! It will fit on Zim's!




Now, Troubleshooting.... you uploaded the wrong picture, but you don't want to start all over:

(oppps wrong Sophie!)
Just click the box next to the picture, and repeat steps 2-4:



As for how i create the tags etc. The majority of the tags you see day to day (non-holiday tags) I've created using Picnik, and a couple of other programs. If i download a background, it's from a free background site, and then I use my computer, or Picnik to put the names in etc. I use several sites like Picnik, and several background sites. If you go this route, I would advise doing an online search for backgrounds.

To make your own background:
I open paint, and use the "Paint bucket" to dump a color on the page, save it, and open it in Picnik.

Once you're in Picnik, crop it to 155x155 (or whatever the size you choose to use)
Go to Create
Go to Stickers
The paw prints are in basic shapes and the bones are in animals.

I change the colors, and the fading on them as well. There are hearts and other things I have used also, but paws and bones are obviously the ones I use on a regular basis for Cocker avatars

Before i do any of that, if I'm not happy with the color of the background, i go to Create > Effects > Tint; and use it to get around to the correct color. This takes a little longer, because i use the effects as well, to get the exact color i want, sometimes i have to use that effect several times to get the right color. Creating the backgrounds and cropping and editing pictures is what takes the bulk of the time, not using the GIF site to put it together.

Good job Dani! Thanks for sharing

Thank you, Dani - love the info and personally love the sample pix - LOL!

Thanks Dani you know I am "challenged" in this area I can barely upload pictures let alone add the fancy stuff... I will keep trying so hold on folks pictures are coming soon!!

Dani:

Do you hire out your avatar talents?

fanks yew awntie Dani weze woves our knew avatar pictures...

licks and hugs from da kids!!

Can I GET a refresher on how to add pictures I tried every way to Sunday and not one of them came up!!

Your best pal and idiot....

I am having the same issue with the photos not loading and usually I am pretty good at this stuff!!

I don't know why it isn't coming up? You should just have to click browse, select the picture, and the click upload

I'm not sure if i'm reading correctly that, that's where the problem is though?

Yes that is where my problem is, it acts like it is done uploading but photos never show, do I have to make them smaller before I download them?

I've never had that problem, but at the bottom of the page, it says that files can't be larger than 1MB (1024KiB) and no larger than 500x500 pixels.

Does this mean you got it working ?
which browser did you use.

Thanks