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[RavenousRae]

Just wondering how I can resize a picture to conform to the necessary avatar size. Do I need special software?

 

[princess4u]

you can use any photo or graphic software -
maximum size is 150 x 150 pixels

here is a link to a free download if you need it:

http://www.irfanview.com/

 

[MT_Pitcher]

you can use any photo or graphic software -
maximum size is 150 x 150 pixels

here is a link to a free download if you need it:

http://www.irfanview.com/

AND keep the file size under 20 k.

 

[RavenousRae]

Thanks for your help!

 

[mackiain]

you can also use photoshop its pretty damn easy to get resizing done with that

 

[Weird Harold]

AND keep the file size under 20 k.

With the conversion to the new software, the avatar filesize limit was reduced to 15 KB.

Which coincidently also reduced the number of programs that are easy to create avatars with. For most "True color" images, it requires bit more compressio to make a 150x150 pixel image fit the 15KB limit, which means a program that can adjust the JPeg compression ratio when saving.

PhotoShop, PhotoDeluxe, PaintShop Pro, IrfanView, MS Photo Editor, Thumbs Plus and other commonly recommended programs still work fine but the bundled programs that come with cheap digital cameras and scanners often are too simple-minded (or too idiot proof) to adjust JPeg compression.

 

[Weird Harold]

you can also use photoshop its pretty damn easy to get resizing done with that

Just out of curiosity, how much is a full version of Photoshop nowadays for those who didn't get a Limited Editio bundled with a scanner or camera?

It's great program, if a tad bit too idiot proof for my tastes, but the last time I checked the price, my banker had a heart-attack over he size of the loan I would hve needed.

 

[krazeekat]

The Adobe Photoshop CS costs about $600 ++

 

[Weird Harold]

The Adobe Photoshop CS costs about $600 ++

Thanks. I see it's still about the same price as a new computer to run it on.

Makes the price of Paintshop Pro 9.0 ($129) look real good an the price of irfanview ($0.00) absolutely gorgeous, doesn't it.

It has come down some -- as well as gotten more capable -- since I priced it a decade or so back; I couldn't see paying $1500+ for a program to run on a computer that cost me a third of that.

 

[krazeekat]

Photoshop is more for professional designers and it is the software that we used in media art school. I don't really recommend photoshop if all you need is cropping and some basic photo touchups, PSP is good enough for that kind of work.

 

[Weird Harold]

Photoshop is more for professional designers and it is the software that we used in media art school. I don't really recommend photoshop if all you need is cropping and some basic photo touchups, PSP is good enough for that kind of work.

I suspect when people recommend "Photoshop" here, they're talking about the Limited Edition version that is bundled with cameras and scanners.

Even so, it's more progrm than most people need for occasional avatar changes or images for the amateur pictures forum.

irfanview is good enough for that level of need, PSP is better if you do a lot of color correction or captioning and it's reasonably priced.

Photoshop LE is good enough for all but the most non-professional rabid photophile.

Thumbs Plus looks like a prety good alterntive for advance photo editing, too.

Everything depends on how much program you need and how much you're willing to pay to get it.