1. Find a picture you like - either the web address (URL) or one from your computer.
-To get the web address (URL) of a picture, right click it and select "properties" from the menu.
- PICTURE URLS NEED TO END IN .JPG OR .GIF
2. Sign up with a photo host. I use photobucket. It's easy, free, and is really useful. Goto http://www.photobucket.com.
3. Upload your photo to your newly created photobucket account. If you are uploading a picture from your computer, use the "my computer" option. If you are uploading pictures from a web address, choose the "web URL" option.
4. You should now have a thumbnail. A thumbnail is a mini picture of what you uploaded. Photobucket thumbnails are about 150 pixels by 150 pixels maximum - which is PERFECT avatar size! Lucky you!
5. RIGHT CLICK your newly uploaded thumbnail and get the web URL (like in step 1).
-Right click the thumbnail and select "properties" from the menu.
-You should copy the web URL of the picture by highlighting the address, right-clicking, and select "copy"
(ex. of a web url: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v460/Thunderchild99/th_coos.jpg)
-(NOTES: Thunderchild99 is my photobucket username, coos.jpg is the name of the picture I uploaded, th_coos.jpg is
the name photobucket gave the thumbnail image. Remember, pictures you post on the internet absolutely need to end
in .jpg or .gif)
6. You are almost to avatar-dom. Now that you have copied your avatar's web URL click on the UCP on the Pit (user control panel - it's a menu option at the top of the forum)
7. Click on the "Profile" tab, and then select the "Edit Avatar" option.
8. Now, paste your avatar's web URL into the box labeled "link off-site."
9. Click submit! You can ignore the dimensions option in the UCP. It will automatically figure it out.
There you go. You have now just made yourself a fancy new avatar! Assuming everything went well, anyway. Go crazy! Just remember that your avatar cannot be any bigger than 160 x 160 (which, by following these steps, you shouldn't have a problem). Enjoy your new skills
