Avatar creation/Web page maintenance [Archive]

Stormyguy

Jun 17, 2002, 09:00 AM

Hey all,

Just been browsing through some of the avatars posted in the comp - how good are those!!! Well done to all concerned!

Could I ask what programs are used in designing these?? Do I need any fancy stuff?! And would they work on another forum I am a member of where you are allowed an image from a web page to go along with your posts (usually a .gif, .tif or .jpg)???? (I note these 'tars seem to be .php files)?

Also I am looking for software to maintain my exisiting webpages which I used to do on my old Peecee with some M$ software. Now we have switched to Apple this is the last task I need to switch over to my iMacs.
I only want to do fairly simple tasks - design basic pages, update text, switch pics around etc - who would recommend what???

If it's freeware all well and good, shareware's OK too, or if I need to buy something that's not out of the question either. I don't know code so wants to be kind of a WYSIWYG affair! Could I do using OSX/Office OSX and an ftp program of some sort??

I have Photoshop and Quark (both for OS9) already if that's any use.

As always, help most gratefully received.
Danny

britboy

Jun 17, 2002, 09:14 AM

As far as the avatars are concerned, all you need is photoshop for a static image. If you want animation, the easiest way would be to use imageready (it comes with photoshop, so you should have that too). They are all gif's. It may show up as a .php, but just change it to .gif.

That's what i used anyway. A couple of the other guys used lighwave i believe, but that's a bit of overkill for a 20k tar! :)

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by britboy
A couple of the other guys used lighwave i believe, but that's a bit of overkill for a 20k tar! :)
Hehehe, isn't it just!
I've been using Photoshop 7 and ImageReady 7 for my first attempts at 'tars (gearing up for when I hit 500), it's pretty easy with them.
If you have them give 'em a go.

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by britboy
A couple of the other guys used lighwave i believe, but that's a bit of overkill for a 20k tar! :)

Yes but it looks good, doesn't it;)

I rendered the images in lightwave (radiosity setting to get a softer look) and loaded each image into ImageReady. You basically can do pretty much anything with it, its a great little app. I did Backtothemac's 'tar as well.

I don't think that the all the 3D apps for the contest were done in lightwave, a couple were done in Maya and Cinema4D.

D

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet

Yes but it looks good, doesn't it;)

Yes, it does look very good, that 'tar was my favourite of your 'tars, maybe when more talk of the G5 comes around again you will use it again.

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by verbose101

Yes, it does look very good, that 'tar was my favourite of your 'tars, maybe when more talk of the G5 comes around again you will use it again.

nah, it won't be used again, I don't think. I had only done it as a joke at first, but it stayed around for a while. I'll be changing my tar again soon, to a more appropriate one for my member name. Not sure when though.

D

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet

nah, it won't be used again, I don't think. I had only done it as a joke at first, but it stayed around for a while. I'll be changing my tar again soon, to a more appropriate one for my member name. Not sure when though.

D
Kool, looking forward to seeing it, so far they've all been really good :D ...I would like to see the good old G5 'tar out on show again though ;)

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 11:20 AM

Do you want to use it? Go ahead, you're 'tar bound soon.

D

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet
Do you want to use it? Go ahead, you're 'tar bound soon.

D
Thanks for the offer, I may well take you up on it :)
The only thing is I'd feel like a bit of a cheat not even making the effort to try and make one of own.
I guess I'll see how I get along with ImageReady, and if I am crap at it then you may well be seeing the good old 'Show me the G5' tar again! :D

Thanks!

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 11:31 AM

No worries. And if you want a different logo on the sphere in the background instead of the lightwave one, let me know, its an easy fix.

D

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet
No worries. And if you want a different logo on the sphere in the background instead of the lightwave one, let me know, its an easy fix.

D
Thanks Dukestreet! :D

...I'm starting to feel like part of the macrumors family now, I LOVE this place, much more friendly than over at spymac...

dantec

Jun 17, 2002, 11:34 AM

I like it, dukestreet. I really do...

What were you thinking of changing it into?

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 11:35 AM

It can be whatever you want, just give me an image to play with. Apple Logo, your initials, the head of Steve, a bunny.....what every you want

D

dantec

Jun 17, 2002, 11:41 AM

Not usefull for me, yet... By the way how many posts do you need to have an image or animation?

That is if you were talking to me... :confused:

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by dantec
Not usefull for me, yet... By the way how many posts do you need to have an image or animation?

That is if you were talking to me... :confused:
500 mate, not long for you :D

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 11:43 AM

500 posts gets you a 'tar. Verbose asked for my old one, and I was just answering your question so he'd know that there were plenty of options.

D

agreenster

Jun 17, 2002, 12:26 PM

I used Cinema4D on mine. I dont think its overkill, because i had the PowerBook modeled for another project anyway, so rendering a quick animation was no biggie. As soon as the avatar contest is over, Im changing the screen on the laptop. But yes, I also used imageready to convert my quicktime movie to an animated gif.

dantec

Jun 17, 2002, 12:28 PM

AGGREENSTER THAT IS SOOO COOL! Can you make me one of my quicksilver???

(since i'm almost there) yah!

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by agreenster
I used Cinema4D on mine. I dont think its overkill, because i had the PowerBook modeled for another project anyway, so rendering a quick animation was no biggie. As soon as the avatar contest is over, Im changing the screen on the laptop. But yes, I also used imageready to convert my quicktime movie to an animated gif.
I still maintain that yours is the BEST 'tar around on these boards :D
VERY nice work! I have Cinema4D but don't have a clue how to use it :confused:

dantec

Jun 17, 2002, 02:27 PM

I'm at 500 woohoo!

Anyway, verbose101 that is a good start.

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by dantec
I'm at 500 woohoo!

Anyway, verbose101 that is a good start.
I've had a good start??? Sorry, you've lost me :confused:

dantec

Jun 17, 2002, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by verbose101

I've had a good start??? Sorry, you've lost me :confused:

By having the program... At least you do, I don't so I'll probably never have an avatar!

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by dantec

By having the program... At least you do, I don't so I'll probably never have an avatar!
Oh right, I see what ur talking about now :p
I guess I'll have to just give the appz my best shot and see what happens :eek:

Mr. Anderson

Jun 17, 2002, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by dantec

By having the program... At least you do, I don't so I'll probably never have an avatar!

you don't have an image editing program? it doesn't take much to make an avatar, just do it.

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by dukestreet

you don't have an image editing program? it doesn't take much to make an avatar, just do it.
Dukestreet is (of course) right dantec, all you need is an app to make an image 50 x 50 px and under 20k, it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

dantec

Jun 17, 2002, 03:17 PM

Yeah yeah I was joking. I do have lots of software editing apps (PS 7, photodeluxe 2, fireworks MX for example...).

I just don't have the creativity. I wouldn't mind a spinning quicksilver, but I don't have cinema XL. I could try in Bryce though...

edesignuk

Jun 17, 2002, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by dantec
Yeah yeah I was joking. I do have lots of software editing apps (PS 7, photodeluxe 2, fireworks MX for example...).

I just don't have the creativity. I wouldn't mind a spinning quicksilver, but I don't have cinema XL. I could try in Bryce though...
Good luck modeling a QuickSilver! It's not going to be easy! :D
If you do ever do it make sure to post a full size pic, I'd love to see it.

dantec

Jun 18, 2002, 01:28 AM

I had a pirated version of Maya once, but it was too complicated. And I think you needed a 3 button mouse to use it.

Beej

Jun 18, 2002, 01:39 AM

Spinning quicksilver -
Just go to Apple's hardware gallery. Take screenshots of all the angles of the quicksilver. Scale to 50x50. Put them in order. Load into Image Ready. Save. Upload. That's all.

edesignuk

Jun 18, 2002, 01:44 AM

Originally posted by Beej
Spinning quicksilver -
Just go to Apple's hardware gallery. Take screenshots of all the angles of the quicksilver. Scale to 50x50. Put them in order. Load into Image Ready. Save. Upload. That's all.
That is a VERY good idea, maybe if I can be bothered I'll get round to going that someday, and it wouldn't have to be the QuickSilver, it could be anything!

dantec

Jun 18, 2002, 07:37 AM

Good idea. I don't need to take screenshots, i've got QT pro. You can convert it directly I think to an animated image, and then use another video editing app to change the rez.

Mr. Anderson

Jun 18, 2002, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by dantec
Good idea. I don't need to take screenshots, i've got QT pro. You can convert it directly I think to an animated image, and then use another video editing app to change the rez.

No you can't with QT pro. You'd have to export the animation as a image sequence, then import the image sequence into Image Ready. Pretty simple.

Problem is I can't find the qtVR movie of the QuickSilver....anyone got a link?

edesignuk

Jun 18, 2002, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet

Problem is I can't find the qtVR movie of the QuickSilver....anyone got a link?
Here (http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/powermac2001_480.html) it is!

dantec

Jun 18, 2002, 03:56 PM

It's ok, i've got onew. No stress.

agreenster

Jun 18, 2002, 11:34 PM

Try with all your might, but it stil wont be as good as spinning a modeled Quicksilver in 3d! :);):)

As far as Maya goes, yes, you need a three button mouse. I use Maya on a daily basis where I work, and it can be as simple or complicated as you make it. Its the best consumer 3D app out.

However, in order to make Maya truly useful to you, you really DO have to put a lot of time into it. it isnt an app like photoshop where you can learn the basics in 2 hours. It take a lot of commitment.

dantec

Jun 19, 2002, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by agreenster
Try with all your might, but it stil wont be as good as spinning a modeled Quicksilver in 3d! :);):)

As far as Maya goes, yes, you need a three button mouse. I use Maya on a daily basis where I work, and it can be as simple or complicated as you make it. Its the best consumer 3D app out.

However, in order to make Maya truly useful to you, you really DO have to put a lot of time into it. it isnt an app like photoshop where you can learn the basics in 2 hours. It take a lot of commitment.

Yeah, I realized that, and I don't have a 3 button mouse, so it was useless to me.

Mr. Anderson

Jun 20, 2002, 09:22 AM

So I went to go play with the qtvr of the qs and it wasn't exactly straightforward on getting it over to Image Ready. Good little learning experience for future projects, it takes a bit of finesse.

edesignuk

Jun 20, 2002, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet
So I went to go play with the qtvr of the qs and it wasn't exactly straightforward on getting it over to Image Ready. Good little learning experience for future projects, it takes a bit of finesse.
VERY nice job! :D Spins a little fast but that could be sorted changing the frame delay in ImageReady I suppose.

BTW...any chance I could use it? Or will u be using it? Thanks.

Mr. Anderson

Jun 20, 2002, 09:28 AM

Yeah, default was 15 fps which is .06 sec / frame. I changed it to .1 sec/frame or 10 fps, which is a little better. I'm not worried about that, really, I was just playing around. I've got something better in store next.....now that I can convert qtvr movies to animated gifs :D

edesignuk

Jun 20, 2002, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet
Yeah, default was 15 fps which is .06 sec / frame. I changed it to .1 sec/frame or 10 fps, which is a little better. I'm not worried about that, really, I was just playing around. I've got something better in store next.....now that I can convert qtvr movies to animated gifs :D
Is that a yes, I can use it..or...a yes, it spins a little fast?

Mr. Anderson

Jun 20, 2002, 10:13 AM

ah, yes for both, Go ahead and take it if you want. You might want to put a border around it, curve the edges and make the corners transparent, makes it easier to look at instead of a white square on the gray. You can do that all in Image Ready.

D

Stormyguy

Jun 20, 2002, 10:18 AM

Sheesh - you guys are GOOD!!

I'm making myself an animated icon in ImageReady (muddling through on a trial and error basis which I find is usually the best way) for another forum I post in and wanted some guidance on the finer points!

I was thinking of something along the lines of a scrolling text over a still image to start with - a bit like Dukestreet's G5.

My file seems to come up to 79k as a JPG and I can't seem to convert it to GIF - would this be too big and should it really be a GIF????

And finally, how can I post the finished image up on the forum I'm talking about - at present I have the profile set up to point to a still image that's in my website (which was all uploaded on my old PC). Do I need an FTP program or similar??
On the old PC I used to open up this FTP gadget, log in username/password (same as my ISP) and upload new pages/files that I'd edited myself - all very basic stuff but I wonder if my Mac can do it all as standard or if I need some software??

Thanks people

edesignuk

Jun 20, 2002, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet
ah, yes for both, Go ahead and take it if you want. You might want to put a border around it, curve the edges and make the corners transparent, makes it easier to look at instead of a white square on the gray. You can do that all in Image Ready.

D
Thanks Dukestreet! :D

Mr. Anderson

Jun 20, 2002, 11:07 AM

Here try this one, a little nicer

D

edesignuk

Jun 20, 2002, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by dukestreet
Here try this one, a little nicer

D
WOW! What can I say, I'm in your debt!
THANKS!

Zenith

Jun 20, 2002, 11:34 AM

Making 'tars is so funny! <brag> Now when I won the still 'tar contest :D </brag> I'm allowed to use a 'tar for myself, right? Even with a post count of ca. 75. ;)

I made some animated submissions too, and I used Cinema 4D for the 3D ones. It's a great app, but I've never tried Maya. I've got a copy of Lightwave too, but I've never had the time to learn how to use it.

Dukestreet: Just figured out that the logo you use so much is the Lightwave logo. Maybe because you said it yourself. :p I knew I'd seen it before somewhere... :)

Agreenster: It's a great model of the TiBook you've got there. Nice work.

Mr. Anderson

Jun 20, 2002, 12:14 PM

Yes Zenith, arn is going to fix it so that you can have a 'tar even with you're low post count. You might want to send him a pm. Also, you should put in your signature that you've won the Still 'tar Contest and you have the title of Avatarist

D