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[lhw]

No, I'm not about to comment on the massively huge animated avatars that some folks are using...that subject has been covered elsewhere. What I'm going to talk about is proportionally sizing your avatar so it looks better. Why? Because it's apparent that some people aren't aware that you can do this.

Now, ProBoards has a maximum avatar size of 100x100. However, many folks are using avatars that are over that size. When that happens, the avatar is squashed down to fit within a 100x100 size...whether it's proportional or not.

Take JT's current avatar for example (no, I'm not picking on JT: his avatar just makes a good example for this): this is what it normally looks like:



However, when simply placed in his profile for his avatar, this is what we see:



Looks a little different, doesn't it? This is because the image itself is 266x220 in size...since it's not a perfect square, it doesn't look right when it's squashed down into one. This, however, is easily fixable with some basic math, and a quick profile edit.

For starters, you want to see how much of an image reduction is taking place on the longest axis. In this case, it's the width at 266 pixels (this'll all make sense in a moment). To get this aspect ratio, you divide 100 by 266, which is approximately 0.376.

Next, you take this aspect ratio and multiply it by the other axis, which is 220 pixels. This value would be approximately 83 pixels. So, to keep the image displayed properly, you'd need to resize it 100x83.

However, not everyone has a graphics program which will do this. Thankfully, ProBoards was thinking ahead. If you go into your profile, you'll notice that just beneath your avatar, you're able to place your own Width and Height values in. Using our example, if JT edited his profile with the above values, his avatar would be displayed like this:



While there's only a 17 pixel difference in the height between the two, you can see the difference between the two when placed side by side...

Old: New:

Since JT's avatar was close to being a square image to begin with, the distortion isn't that great. However, I've seen a few "chick" avatars that look awfully squashed...editing your profile in this method will display the person much better.

Thanks for your time.

[The Great JT]

Next time you want to use my stupidity in an example, try asking, Warlock.

[soulreaper]

Personally I think you should thank the guy for fixing your avatar, but hey, thats up to you.

[shinnstheory]

Don't take it personally. He wasn't pointing out "stupidity". Tons of avatars on this site are like that. He just used yours as an example.

[lhw]

JT: As I said in my initial post, I wasn't picking on you specifically. I have quite a few avs and sigs blocked, so I don't see them all, and can't remember who else might have had this same problem. Since yours was one that I still view, it was the easiest to use.

And it's not yours, or anyone else's, "stupidity." Honestly, lots of people simply don't know that the profile option works like this. I'm simply trying to show people how they can show off their avatars so they look the best.

I apologize if you think I was singling you out for some reason: I was not.

[The Great JT]

Still, next time ask permission. It's rude.

[Aladdin]

You're telling Warlock about being rude.............right....

[shinnstheory]

K guys. The end. JT, I bet you wouldn't find it rude if someone talked highly of yours sigs. They wouldn't need your permission to do that, would they?

He wasn't knockin' your avatar, just the settings. Personally, I like the avatar and now that it has been squared, it does look better. I would appreciate it if someone were to randomly do something like that for me.

[lhw]

Ya know what, Shinn's, it ain't worth it. I'm tired of tryin' to pussy-footin' around overly sensitive people when all I'm trying to do is help some guys out. Screw it: just delete this bitch and be done with it.

Thanks.

[shinnstheory]

If ya wish.