Post by Colleen-NC on Apr 16, 2008 16:39:49 GMT -5
Basic Graphic Instructions
« Thread Started on Jul 23, 2007, 12:36am »
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PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE GOING ON:
Forums will often have maximum sizes that are allowed to be used for graphics. There are reasons for this and PLEASE abide by them. If not, it can cause problems between members and also make it VERY DIFFICULT for some people to view the Text Messages. The way the screens show on various computers and browsers are different. Also I am not sure how much more bandwidth it takes up. At any forum you are at, check the avatar and the graphics sizes, if any, permitted before posting. Graphics can be, and are fun, however, please be considerate of others when using them.
HOW TO POST SIGNATURES or Pictures
If you are going to use a picture on your system only (as a desktop background, for example) most folks don't object to you using their stuff. If, however, this is for upload for a Forum post or your web site you have to be more careful about copyrights. There are free graphic sites out there, for example:
www.ausmall.com.au/freegraf/freegrfa.htm
www.amazing-animations.com/
www.freegraphics.org/
www.uselessgraphics.com/
There are hundreds more--just type "free graphics" into your search engine. Be careful about sites that want you to download a tool bar to use their graphics--they are probably spy ware!
Here is a link to a forum that you could join and they do some really nice graphics. Just take a look in the graphics section. s15.invisionfree.com/CozyKorner/ There are a few of us that belong there. There are other graphics sites just for that. I don't have a clue how to find them. This is not something I spend a lot of time on anymore.
I am going to use Photobucket for the lesson here. There are other places you can also host your graphics free. Another one is ImageShack.com www.imageshack.us/ (Image Shack host your picture and I don't think you even have to log in!), and sure others can recommend more places that are also free. There will be limits for the free storage.
Register first with www.photobucket.com/ They will ‘host’ your picture and they create an address (URL/IMG) to link to for you to use the pictures.
When you find a picture that you like, simply right click on the picture and you will see a menu that includes "Save This Picture As". Click on that, and when the window opens navigate to "My Pictures" (or whatever name your folder of pictures is) and save the file. Don't forget to give it a descriptive name. Graphics are generally saved as.gif or jpg (aka jpeg) and be sure it saves the same way. This graphic is about what this window should look like:
We will assume that you have a signature saved on your computer that you want to add. First you have it hosted (stored) somewhere on the Internet such as photobucket.com/ so that you can put its address in your message or signature box (in profile). Photobucket has a lot of new features that I have not even checked out but usually you can figure it all out once you learn the basics here.
Once your PB (photobucket) album comes up click 'browse' at the top box where it says 'images from my PC'. Now go to 'my pictures' where you have saved your images and click on/highlight the one you want and click open.
Where it says browse, you will see the address written in there, click 'upload' and wait a few seconds, you will now see a small image of your picture if you scroll down. When the 'upload' is done, it will tell you in the box above the upload area. Do this with as many as you want.
Pick one that you want for your avatar or signature. In PB you will see FOUR types of addresses 1) SHARE 2) URL 3) HTML 4) IMG. For the Avatar you normally are told to use the 2) URL But when you are inserting a signature in the signature box or within the message itself you generally use 4) IMG. When you click on one of these TYPES of Image, it will be copied. You will see a small yellow box say 'copied'. There is a picture below showing what the choices are for posting the pictures.
If you copied an IMG to use within a post at the forum, you will just go to the post that you are writing and paste (hold down ctrl key and hit 'v; key; or use the paste tool under Edit at top of screen). This will be the one that starts img and ends with /img. It will have brackets around the word 'img' but if I do that it won't show here.
If you are using the image for your permanent signature on the forum, go to your profile and where the box is for your signature and paste (hold down ctrl key and hit 'v; key; or use the paste tool under Edit at top of screen) in the Signature box. Then scroll down to bottom of profile and click change profile/submit.
When you are trying to put an avatar in, then you have to use the URL tag and 'not' the Img tag. Do the same thing in the profile but insert it into the Avatar area. There will be restrictions on the avatar size. Note you can also insert the size in the boxes in the profile. It will show the limit on the Avatar. Sometimes they come out better if you put the size in the box but don't exceed limit.
Once you know how to do this, it becomes VERY easy. Don't let it get the better of you. If you don't understand, just ask. Don't spend too much time messing with it without asking. I may have not worded it well and can change it. I remember when I started and I didn't know what an Avatar even was. BTW (by the way) the avatar is the little picture by your name. (grin).
I am going to be posting more helpful graphic topics but don't want this one to get too confusing. There are many other things you can learn. Wait on posting pictures in the gallery and I will put one up on how to do the thumbnails.
Go slow and be patient. This is not something to rush thru. When you learn it, will be so easy. Have fun.
« Last Edit: Jul 23, 2007, 3:23pm by maryaz » Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
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Toni
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Posts: 1,037
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Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #1 on Jul 23, 2007, 5:37am »
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Thank you for your hard work in preparing these graphics instructions, Mary AZ.
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nancy
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Posts: 5
Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #2 on Jul 23, 2007, 7:45am »
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Toni
I think both these posts from Mary should be stickies. They are such thorough and easy to follow computer instructions.
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debbieky
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Posts: 332
Location: Kentucky
Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #3 on Jul 23, 2007, 7:49am »
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Thanks Mary, You have helped alot of us today. I will give the graphics a try one day when I feel brave. lol
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maryaz
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #4 on Jul 23, 2007, 3:26pm »
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I had an extra frog in there. Just took him out. I am hoping the pictures help. I remember how confused I was in the beginning. Anyone that is just learning will be amazed how easy it is once you start. I warn you it can be contagious for a while. Like a kid with a new toy.
Good Lucik.
Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
« Thread Started on Jul 23, 2007, 12:36am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE GOING ON:
Forums will often have maximum sizes that are allowed to be used for graphics. There are reasons for this and PLEASE abide by them. If not, it can cause problems between members and also make it VERY DIFFICULT for some people to view the Text Messages. The way the screens show on various computers and browsers are different. Also I am not sure how much more bandwidth it takes up. At any forum you are at, check the avatar and the graphics sizes, if any, permitted before posting. Graphics can be, and are fun, however, please be considerate of others when using them.
HOW TO POST SIGNATURES or Pictures
If you are going to use a picture on your system only (as a desktop background, for example) most folks don't object to you using their stuff. If, however, this is for upload for a Forum post or your web site you have to be more careful about copyrights. There are free graphic sites out there, for example:
www.ausmall.com.au/freegraf/freegrfa.htm
www.amazing-animations.com/
www.freegraphics.org/
www.uselessgraphics.com/
There are hundreds more--just type "free graphics" into your search engine. Be careful about sites that want you to download a tool bar to use their graphics--they are probably spy ware!
Here is a link to a forum that you could join and they do some really nice graphics. Just take a look in the graphics section. s15.invisionfree.com/CozyKorner/ There are a few of us that belong there. There are other graphics sites just for that. I don't have a clue how to find them. This is not something I spend a lot of time on anymore.
I am going to use Photobucket for the lesson here. There are other places you can also host your graphics free. Another one is ImageShack.com www.imageshack.us/ (Image Shack host your picture and I don't think you even have to log in!), and sure others can recommend more places that are also free. There will be limits for the free storage.
Register first with www.photobucket.com/ They will ‘host’ your picture and they create an address (URL/IMG) to link to for you to use the pictures.
When you find a picture that you like, simply right click on the picture and you will see a menu that includes "Save This Picture As". Click on that, and when the window opens navigate to "My Pictures" (or whatever name your folder of pictures is) and save the file. Don't forget to give it a descriptive name. Graphics are generally saved as.gif or jpg (aka jpeg) and be sure it saves the same way. This graphic is about what this window should look like:
We will assume that you have a signature saved on your computer that you want to add. First you have it hosted (stored) somewhere on the Internet such as photobucket.com/ so that you can put its address in your message or signature box (in profile). Photobucket has a lot of new features that I have not even checked out but usually you can figure it all out once you learn the basics here.
Once your PB (photobucket) album comes up click 'browse' at the top box where it says 'images from my PC'. Now go to 'my pictures' where you have saved your images and click on/highlight the one you want and click open.
Where it says browse, you will see the address written in there, click 'upload' and wait a few seconds, you will now see a small image of your picture if you scroll down. When the 'upload' is done, it will tell you in the box above the upload area. Do this with as many as you want.
Pick one that you want for your avatar or signature. In PB you will see FOUR types of addresses 1) SHARE 2) URL 3) HTML 4) IMG. For the Avatar you normally are told to use the 2) URL But when you are inserting a signature in the signature box or within the message itself you generally use 4) IMG. When you click on one of these TYPES of Image, it will be copied. You will see a small yellow box say 'copied'. There is a picture below showing what the choices are for posting the pictures.
If you copied an IMG to use within a post at the forum, you will just go to the post that you are writing and paste (hold down ctrl key and hit 'v; key; or use the paste tool under Edit at top of screen). This will be the one that starts img and ends with /img. It will have brackets around the word 'img' but if I do that it won't show here.
If you are using the image for your permanent signature on the forum, go to your profile and where the box is for your signature and paste (hold down ctrl key and hit 'v; key; or use the paste tool under Edit at top of screen) in the Signature box. Then scroll down to bottom of profile and click change profile/submit.
When you are trying to put an avatar in, then you have to use the URL tag and 'not' the Img tag. Do the same thing in the profile but insert it into the Avatar area. There will be restrictions on the avatar size. Note you can also insert the size in the boxes in the profile. It will show the limit on the Avatar. Sometimes they come out better if you put the size in the box but don't exceed limit.
Once you know how to do this, it becomes VERY easy. Don't let it get the better of you. If you don't understand, just ask. Don't spend too much time messing with it without asking. I may have not worded it well and can change it. I remember when I started and I didn't know what an Avatar even was. BTW (by the way) the avatar is the little picture by your name. (grin).
I am going to be posting more helpful graphic topics but don't want this one to get too confusing. There are many other things you can learn. Wait on posting pictures in the gallery and I will put one up on how to do the thumbnails.
Go slow and be patient. This is not something to rush thru. When you learn it, will be so easy. Have fun.
« Last Edit: Jul 23, 2007, 3:23pm by maryaz » Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toni
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,037
Location: IN/KY border
Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #1 on Jul 23, 2007, 5:37am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your hard work in preparing these graphics instructions, Mary AZ.
Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
nancy
New Member
member is offline
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #2 on Jul 23, 2007, 7:45am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toni
I think both these posts from Mary should be stickies. They are such thorough and easy to follow computer instructions.
Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
debbieky
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 332
Location: Kentucky
Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #3 on Jul 23, 2007, 7:49am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Mary, You have helped alot of us today. I will give the graphics a try one day when I feel brave. lol
Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
maryaz
Senior Member
member is offline
Blowin In The Wind
Joined: Jul 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,060
Location: Phoenix AZ
Re: Basic Graphic Instructions
« Reply #4 on Jul 23, 2007, 3:26pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had an extra frog in there. Just took him out. I am hoping the pictures help. I remember how confused I was in the beginning. Anyone that is just learning will be amazed how easy it is once you start. I warn you it can be contagious for a while. Like a kid with a new toy.
Good Lucik.
Link to Post - Back to Top Logged