Graphics Zone - Avatar

CE CASH 3.0

Designing an Avatar

by BarryHilton, Adult NetSurprise

In this tutorial we'll be designing an Avatar for use on the Adult NetSurprise Threaded Format Message Boards. Start by opening up a new image 80x80 pixels in size... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Then, paint your image white and label your background layer... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Set up the marquee to add a border to your Avatar... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions. It's always a good idea to use a border on an Avatar as it makes it stand out better on the Message Board pages.

Position your marquee in the center of your image, then paint it black to make your border... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Deselect your marquee and label your border layer... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

We're using an image for our Avatar... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions. right click and Save As to use the image below the instructions or use any image you want :o)

Crop your image to the area you want to use as your Avatar... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions. Remember the Avatar is square, so you might need to adjust your image later.

Now, start reducing your image in size... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions. By reducing your image in steps you'll get a much better result than reducing the image in one large block.

Make the second reduction... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Then make the final reduction (you may need more steps if you have a large image... here's some suggested steps that work well 1200 to 800 to 600 to 400 to 300 to 200 to 100 to 80)... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Usually on the last step sharpening the image results in 'too much sharpening' giving a hard jaggy appearance... Use the Fade Sharpen Effect to reduce the sharpening until it's balanced for quality and sharpness... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Finally, click and drag your image into your Avatar we set up earlier, then label the new layer... Click Here to view Screen Shot with Instructions.

Here's our completed Avatar! Click Here to view our Avatar!.