Custom URL avatars [Archive]

R'as al Ghul

01-10-2006, 13:19

Hello Tosa.

Regardless of a custom avatar option I always found that the S:TW avatars are too few. I know that the amount of source images is limited but I created some (100+) new profile pictures for the Shogun mod of M:TW_VI and some epic event pictures. (mostly taken from japanese woodblock prints)
There're also the images by TomteofDoom who worked on DukeJohn's Sengoku mod and which are very popular.
Maybe we could add some of those pics (in avatar size) to the Shogun collection? (about a dozen)
I'd of course offer to upload them in the required format.
What do you think?
:bow:

Lentonius

01-15-2006, 13:06

I think the TW avatars are good, but in order to get the really good ones you have to have upwards of 150 posts...

I have one i like at the minute but i really like a 250post one...

i like the system of TW avatars, but maybe there should be more encouragement to make more and better avatars..

For instance, in TWcenter there is a screenshot of the month. We could do the similar, with people taking screenies of their fave units, or their own units from any TW games, except the winner's screenshot is made into an avatar for just him/herself. Also, maybe Mod team leaders should submit 3 or 4 avatars for the mod teams to use, if their mod has been completed...

and the ORG yearly awards should have a special avatar competition, with the best 30 for instance being able for the public to use...

My ideas are very 'competition orientated' but they would give someone with 1/2 an hour free to do, and would make a nice improvement to the forums, with people being able to do more than they can...

Although This has been said, custom avatars in my mind would be slightly tatty, and the competitions would be fun and help the avatar problem...:2thumbsup:

Just A Girl

01-15-2006, 13:39

I dont know about the post limit avatars...
would give people a reason to spam.

Mouzafphaerre

01-15-2006, 13:53

.
Mod teams could be encouraged to enrich the avatar pool with their custom portraits.
.

TosaInu

01-15-2006, 13:59

How large are they R'as al Ghul?

The URL avatar system could easily have some default pool to choose from, in case a user doesn't have another source. And anyone could submit avatars that match the theme/size (whatever they gonna be) to be stored in the pool for public use.

As there's always the issue of someone not going with the theme, or worse, posts something inappropriate and the endless ~:( that brings, the system could be made so that only avatars hosted here can be used. One difference with the current system: anyone can submit avatars and anyone can use those after some community approval.

R'as al Ghul

01-15-2006, 15:07

How large are they R'as al Ghul?

Game size:
https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/3755/general0110ep.jpg https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4968/general0271gl.jpg https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/2595/general0299ms.jpg

https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/2935/general0465um.jpg https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/1807/general0691gg.jpg https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4558/general0866gb.jpg

https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/7876/princess059to.jpg https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4153/princess111ku.jpg https://img468.imageshack.us/img468/2695/princess123wk.jpg

resized:
https://img381.imageshack.us/img381/1825/general086a9sh.jpg
:bow:

TosaInu

01-15-2006, 15:16

A nice size, how about using that 96*142 for the URL avatars? These are ~5 kb only and even allowing up to say 10 kb is fair?

R'as al Ghul

01-15-2006, 16:44

.
Mod teams could be encouraged to enrich the avatar pool with their custom portraits.
.

This is a fantastic idea. :2thumbsup:
I think all the mods hosted in this forum should be represented by portraits.
Wouldn't that be great? I think there are already a lot of portraits which could be uploaded.

The URL avatar system could easily have some default pool to choose from, in case a user doesn't have another source. And anyone could submit avatars that match the theme/size (whatever they gonna be) to be stored in the pool for public use.
A URL avatar pool would be ok, too. But in the end you loose control about
the theme/ content of the images. There's nothing that prevents offensive
content. With additional hosted galleries the board would remain in control.
The decision which ones to include could be made by you or the community
in this sub-forum.

A nice size, how about using that 96*142 for the URL avatars? These are ~5 kb only and even allowing up to say 10 kb is fair?
I have DSL. 10K is fair enough if needed. ~;)

Lentonius

01-15-2006, 18:44

i think you should be able to have your own custom avatar, but it should either be of a hosted mod you are included in (which in that instance there should be mod avatars for devs and ones for supporters) or ones which you could submit to someone, but has to be approved of i.e to do with the Total war series of games...

I agree to a certain extent on the posting system, which is cooler avatars require more posts. However, i think before having 0 posts OK ones, and then 100 post fairly good ones, there should be a bigger variety before this can happen. Also, if there were a few for each ten or twenty posts it would mean people may not spam as much for a good avatar. This system would mean in a couple of days normal posting you could have another 2-3 avatars to choose from...

TosaInu

01-15-2006, 19:14

URL avatars (an alternative system) will not use postcounts.

There's a varity between 0 and 100: 20, 50 and 75 are other limits.

Alexanderofmacedon

01-15-2006, 22:27

I'd rather have post counts then custom avatars...:juggle2:

TosaInu

01-16-2006, 11:33

I'd rather have post counts then custom avatars...:juggle2:

You're already served then: the postcounts are displayed.

Back to topic.

Seasoned Alcoholic

01-16-2006, 16:08

The existing avatars probably satisfy many ORG members already - after all, most people are here to post their opinions, not to look good with some fancy avatar / signature ~D

That said (and since this topic is based upon change), why not scrap the required posts limit for the various default TW avatars currently available? Instead, allow all of the present TW avatars (and potential ones to be added to these exisiting pools) to be used from 0 posts upwards. At a stroke this will provide more satisfaction and choice to members, as they can browse a wider catalogue of avatars.

However, I can see the negative opinion to scrapping avatar-related post counts. Where is the reward for posting X times in the ORG? Well for these members, since they've (probably) constructed many important / relevant and so on topics in the past (and with post counts numbering in the thousands), why not allow them to upload a custom avatar of personal preference? Obviously rules and guidlines could be laid down to make custom avatars either related or non-related to TW, and the relevant warnings / punishments for exceeding the forum rules.

From what I've pieced together already on this topic, some distinct members are currently allowed to use a custom-designed avatar that relates to TW. Why not continue in this tradition?

TosaInu

01-18-2006, 13:00

Since 96*142 is used for the game avatars, and mod created avatars also have that size, do we think that size is a good one to go with?

One of the older disussions about avatars showed that some people like the uniformity here, Seasoned Alcoholic. So, I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to custom avatars. The ones made by R'as al Ghul are very nice and I've seen many other beautiful pictures, but they're not going to be included in the normal pool. The URL avatar is a compromise and an option to please the other side of the spectrum.

Right at this moment, it even isn't technically possible for users to upload custom avatars to this server (and that has nothing to do with me being unwilling to pull the switch). But, when the large majority of users can come to some agreement together, I'm more than happy to change as soon as possible. Playing cop for legal PG-13 pictures is neither fun nor rewarding.

OT: R'as al Ghul, the 1st on the left in the 2nd row is Toyotomi Hideyoshi right?

Just A Girl

01-18-2006, 23:41

Since 96*142 is used for the game avatars, and mod created avatars also have that size, do we think that size is a good one to go with?

i think it is a good size.

R'as al Ghul

01-19-2006, 11:59

OT: R'as al Ghul, the 1st on the left in the 2nd row is Toyotomi Hideyoshi right?

Right.
https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1691/hideyoshisamurai1by.jpg

This text goes along with the pic on the "electric samurai" webpage:

(1536-1598)
He was born in poor farmer, but he succeeded to Daimyo.
As for him finishes the long war-shattered age, formed public standardization finally.

Cute, isn't it?

Since 96*142 is used for the game avatars, and mod created avatars also have that size, do we think that size is a good one to go with?
I do, but I still would like more variety in the Shogun section.

:bow:

Lentonius

01-22-2006, 10:45

i propose an avatar competition every once in a while. the winning one is put as a public avatar, simple

TosaInu

01-29-2006, 17:22

96*142 being the uniform size? Objections?

Uesugi Kenshin

01-29-2006, 19:02

None here...

Mouzafphaerre

02-02-2006, 06:40

.
OT but could the profile picture size be a little bit increased? Something like 320*200 maybe?
.

Just A Girl

02-02-2006, 07:56

thats a large avit...

As i use a tv not a monitor If i want to actualy be able to read any text i haft to use 800x600,
sometimes even 640x480.
320x200 would take up a bunch of my screen and i was hopeing to view the custom avits as well.

wouldnt 220x100 be adequate enough ?

Just A Girl

02-02-2006, 07:58

actualy i think 200x200 wouldnt bother my display much either.

Mouzafphaerre

02-03-2006, 01:06

.
The profile picture is not an avatar or sig image Sham; it appears only at one's profile page.
.

Just A Girl

02-03-2006, 03:36

OOOOH
Now i see what you mean by OT.
:stwshame:
Oh well then i have nothing to say :P

:bow:

TosaInu

02-10-2006, 12:17

No objections, 96*142 will be the fixed size for UrlAvatars.

The initial idea, was to make it 100% free for registered members who have say more than 3 posts (obviously to prevent incompatible acounts to display just anything). But, since most users here want to stick to a theme, the hosting may have to be done differently.

There are two options.

-1 Hope for the best, expect people to stick with the theme (whatever that is going to be) and allow external linking to a picture.
-2 Host the images on this server and only allow images hosted here to be used. That would be more like what is done for the avatars we have now, but the difference is that the collection can become much bigger and richer.

Option one or two?

R'as al Ghul

02-10-2006, 12:31

-2 Host the images on this server and only allow images hosted here to be used. That would be more like what is done for the avatars we have now, but the difference is that the collection can become much bigger and richer.

Option one or two?

Would this option mean the url-avatars are unique to a single user?
If so, then I'm for option two.
I know it may not be pleasant to nanny those uploads but imagine
the circumstance of allowing all possible avatars. Even if
misuse is punished I wouldn't want to watch over it.

TosaInu

02-10-2006, 13:40

There are no checks for double using avatars.

There may be possible methods/checks and we may add those. But that's not the question here. The question is:
-allow remote linking -> I'm not going to police unless it's dirty.
-only allow local linking -> I'm not going to police either, but will ask some members to move candidates from an uploadfolder to the pool.

therother

02-10-2006, 14:07

I think it would be best to allow only local hosting. Should be a reasonably straightforward job to move avatars from an upload folder to the hosting folder, plus it saves potential problems further down the line.

Mouzafphaerre

02-11-2006, 04:12

.
:yes:
.

TosaInu

02-21-2006, 00:51

Quite a few things are sorted then, better start now.

It's some sort of theme (TW related I guess), 96*142 pixels, max 10 kb and hosted at org. I'll see to make some gallery (may be basic at first) so it becomes easier to add.

I'll add the gallery/uploaders tomorrow. Perhaps we should just display some sets first and then make up our mind what's still theme?

Uesugi Kenshin

02-21-2006, 04:16

Sounds good, I'll try to get a resized version of my current one ASAP, will it continue to be displayed until then or will it stop working?

TosaInu

02-21-2006, 10:04

I'll draft resize your current one, I'll have to redo some code and like to see the result.

Uesugi Kenshin

02-21-2006, 15:07

Oh, okay thanks Tosa!:2thumbsup:

Let me know when you've done that so I can switch to a different skin and check it out. If a lot of people start getting custom avs I may need to switch permanently away from the dial-up skin....

TosaInu

02-21-2006, 16:50

It's still basic, but it works. Need to do a few things.

Who has some avatars already?

TosaInu

02-21-2006, 18:27

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/avatars/index.php

Still working on things, but here's a start.

Here's an uploader http://www.totalwar.org/Downloads/Uploaders/uaupload.php

Uesugi Kenshin

02-21-2006, 20:17

Thanks Tosa! That looks great. It also doesn't interfere with the layout anymore.:2thumbsup:

Unfortunately that means I'll have to turn my back to the dial-up skin for now....:shame:

TosaInu

02-21-2006, 20:20

Dial up now has the option to display graphics. Lite is now the bare skin, only PDA is less.

TosaInu

02-21-2006, 20:32

I've borrowed R'as al Ghul's avatars to fill the review for the time being.

Start submitting avatars so we can use this. We can do further tweaking while we walk.

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-23-2006, 01:22

After a GOOGLE Image Search, I've used a few of the default MTW characters (and custom ones), and resized them to 96*142. Obviously they are not my images, but I've adjusted their properties, in terms of scaling and lighting enhancement. Also, these images are widespread across the internet, people seem to copy images from each other these days; anyway here they are:

https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/3734/mtw16ej.jpg

https://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9018/mtw21cp.jpg

https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8158/mtw32es.jpg

https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/1252/mtw41wb.jpg

Would you consider using them as custom avatars at the ORG (in other words, shall I upload them?)

TosaInu

02-23-2006, 02:02

Sure, upload them. They'll be added to the review directory. People can comment then: we still don't know what theme is and what not. When it get's the ok, I'll make them available.

Do you plan to make more? I intend to make subdirectories. A batch/set should contain a few to justify extra browsing.

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-23-2006, 10:45

Do you plan to make more? I intend to make subdirectories. A batch/set should contain a few to justify extra browsing.

I'll do some more GOOGLE image searches and will create some more. I've also noticed the 10kb limit filesize, I'll reduce 2 of those avatars before I upload them as there slightly over 10kb, thanks :medievalcheers:

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-23-2006, 11:40

Here are some more STW-related ones:

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7625/stw15bn.jpg

https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/1834/stw28lk.jpg

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8517/stw37hb.jpg

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4061/stw46xv.jpg

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2299/stw59bk.jpg

https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7265/stw60nk.jpg

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5849/stw71og.jpg

https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3528/stw85xk.jpg

https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2606/stw90am.jpg

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8010/stw100iy.jpg

https://img153.imageshack.us/img153/2876/stw116oy.jpg

[EDIT:]Uploaded 24 avatars: 12 of MTW and 12 of STW themes.

TosaInu

02-23-2006, 14:37

Neat Seasoned Alcoholic. I'm eager to know what people think.

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-23-2006, 16:13

RTW and various related avatars:

https://img65.imageshack.us/img65/450/rtw16xv.jpg

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7458/rtw24wd.jpg
Caesar

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1183/rtw30tr.jpg
Pompey

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8848/rtw48mh.jpg
Crassus

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8176/rtw58al.jpg
Hannibal Barca

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3606/rtw65mg.jpg
Alexander The Great

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6241/rtw70sx.jpg
Spartan: Total Warrior

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/47/rtw80rq.jpg
Another Spartan: Total Warrior

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9601/rtw92qv.jpg

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6899/rtw100gt.jpg

https://img65.imageshack.us/img65/9658/rtw111ga.jpg

https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5114/rtw129ph.jpg

[EDIT:]These 12 RTW-related avatars have now been uploaded.

Quietus

02-24-2006, 08:17

TosaInu

02-24-2006, 11:25

Tosa, this is quite confusing.

1) No external avatars (check).
2) Members can submit custom, TW-themed, uniformly-sized avatars (check).
3) Member submissions will be screened (check).

What's the criteria to pass screening?

Ex. If I submit a custom avatar, that I will use, then who's to decide if I can use the specific avatar?

Meaning, If I want to use an avatar, then should another member or a mod get to decide whether it is feasible for use (given it passes normal guidelines)?

1) No external avatars. That was originally the plan together with it being more 'display whatever' as long as it's PG-13 compatible. But we want a theme and the choice between hosting here or remote was up for days if not weeks.
2) Yes.
3) Yes. And a bit 'more' at this moment, since we're basically clueless about what members consider theme. Instead of sorting that all out first and wait longer, we activated it now and will sort details while we walk.

Seasoned Alcoholic submitted quite a bunch. I'm sure there are avatars one would not use for him/herself, but that's not the point. Which do suit the theme and which do absolutely not suit the theme and why?

The system is up and there are no avatars available yet, but once we have the idea what is part of the theme, new uploads will be added asap. So, say the community decides that a picture of a rose fits the theme, then your avatar of a tulip will pass in no time. If you however submit one of a battleorc, then we have to see first whether that fits. If you submit one of a racing car and the community already decided that such things are not part of the theme, then it will be removed.

Some feedback about Seasoned Alcoholic's avatars related to theme please?

R'as al Ghul

02-24-2006, 13:45

Some feedback about Seasoned Alcoholic's avatars related to theme please?

All are ok, apart from the game-box covers and the Shogun castle.
I think an avatar should picture a person, not objects?
Of course this is open to discussion.
I could imagine weapons as avatars but racecars?
I prefer persons.

:bow:

Uesugi Kenshin

02-24-2006, 21:54

I agree, they should all definately be pictures of people.

Otherwise they are great!

Quietus

02-25-2006, 07:08

1) No external avatars. That was originally the plan together with it being more 'display whatever' as long as it's PG-13 compatible. But we want a theme and the choice between hosting here or remote was up for days if not weeks.
2) Yes.
3) Yes. And a bit 'more' at this moment, since we're basically clueless about what members consider theme. Instead of sorting that all out first and wait longer, we activated it now and will sort details while we walk. I see.

Seasoned Alcoholic submitted quite a bunch. I'm sure there are avatars one would not use for him/herself, but that's not the point. Which do suit the theme and which do absolutely not suit the theme and why?

Personally, I'd say the theme shouldn't include supernatural beings (except when it's part of a historical culture or ancient mythology).
But I don't mind objects (eg. Tanks, Weapons, Heralds, etc).

The system is up and there are no avatars available yet, but once we have the idea what is part of the theme, new uploads will be added asap. So, say the community decides that a picture of a rose fits the theme, then your avatar of a tulip will pass in no time. If you however submit one of a battleorc, then we have to see first whether that fits. If you submit one of a racing car and the community already decided that such things are not part of the theme, then it will be removed.

Some feedback about Seasoned Alcoholic's avatars related to theme please? I like the busts and statues best.

Practically all of them pass the theme, but some of the avatars are hastily put together, thus not as nearly as nice, particularly the RTW screens and some off-center TW artworks.

TosaInu

02-25-2006, 12:48

I see.

Personally, I'd say the theme shouldn't include supernatural beings (except when it's part of a historical culture or ancient mythology).

You mean: no display of Christian, Islamitic or Jewish God, son, prophet?
I agree with that.

As for other religions, ancient or new: I'm not aware of any problem with displaying gods/spirits/holy men (talking from the believers point of view). But some respect should be given there too: shouldn't display Hachiman/Mars picking daisies.

But I don't mind objects (eg. Tanks, Weapons, Heralds, etc).

Two things in one here, splendid.
-Display or don't display war objects?
-Era? Is an avatar of a 1980 USSR spetsnas part of the theme? Or do we look at what's part of official TW titles and mods? So, around 19th century and earlier.
[/quote]

Practically all of them pass the theme

This is a basic point where people disagree. We'll first see whether we an settle it here, otherwise a poll will decide.

Meanwhile: I can add the busts, non objects and non covers? Add R'as al Ghul's ones too? Those are from the STW mod for MTW/VI?

R'as al Ghul

02-26-2006, 11:54

Meanwhile: I can add the busts, non objects and non covers? Add R'as al Ghul's ones too? Those are from the STW mod for MTW/VI?

If patrons like those, I'm prepared to upload 100+ male Shogun-themed avatars and 50+ female.
Just let me know.

They will be the same that are used in the Samurai mod for M:TW/VI.

:bow:

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 12:48

Is it possible that those are already uploaded somewhere here? Me using FTP would be much faster then.

R'as al Ghul

02-26-2006, 13:49

Is it possible that those are already uploaded somewhere here? Me using FTP would be much faster then.

Yes they are. If you could copy them via ftp it would save a lot of time.
http://www.3ddownloads.com/strategy-gaming/totalwar/MTW/Art/STW_Portraits_by_R.a.Ghul.zip

:bow:

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 14:14

They're TGA format, I batch convert them to GIF?

R'as al Ghul

02-26-2006, 14:17

They're TGA format, I batch convert them to GIF?

I did a test conversion to .gif. Looks good.
Seems as if nothing is lost.
I say go ahead.
:bow:

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 14:23

Uploading.

Severous

02-26-2006, 16:17

I spent a while trying to get a small image from RTW to be my avatar. Is that not possible ?

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 16:24

I spent a while trying to get a small image from RTW to be my avatar. Is that not possible ?

Hello Severous,

It's a new feature and not fully worked out yet. We know it has to be 96*142 pixels, 10 kb or less and it has to be a theme. What the theme is is still not clear (not for me at least). Submit yours to Here's an uploader http://www.totalwar.org/Downloads/Uploaders/uaupload.php and we'll make it available for you when we know what's ok and what not.

therother

02-26-2006, 18:06

Whereas the boundaries are still not defined, I think it's pretty safe to allow the TW related avatars which depict people, i.e. the avatars that are similar to the default board avatars. IIRC, nobody has objected to avatars of this type. So perhaps it might be an idea to approve those uploaded avatars which fulfil those criteria, so people can start to use to the new system? The range of acceptable avatars can be expanded if necessary at a later date.

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 18:22

Good point therother.

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 18:50

Added R'as al Ghuls avatars and Seasoned Alcoholic's ones. The rest is still open for debate.

Quietus

02-26-2006, 19:33

If patrons like those, I'm prepared to upload 100+ male Shogun-themed avatars and 50+ female.
Just let me know.

They will be the same that are used in the Samurai mod for M:TW/VI.

:bow: Very cool R'as! :bow: I'm using Assassin11, thx.

So who's for or against the TW-themed objects?

Divinus Arma

02-26-2006, 19:33

In response to the announcement:

I think that custom avatars are dangerous ground here. The current policy does much to add to the sense of order here. Simplicity is very important and not to be underestimated.

The current avatar policy of in-game family member icons contributes towards a real sense of community here. Personally, I identify users by their avatars just as I would a human face in the "real world". And just as occurs in the real world when seeing a new face, a judgment is made about a person by the avatar they select. The positive thing is that the judgment isn't bad, it's just something that occurs naturally when trying to get to know somebody. This may or may not have been the intent, but it is certainly what happens.

That said, the desire for a custom avatar is understandable. I would adopt a very conservative approach towards policy change in this direction. Allow users to slightly modify existing avatars, and allow some very limited additional avatars so long as they very very closely match the existing avatar set. I don't care for many of the pics submitted by Seasoned Alcoholic, but a few work well. The BI Priest, if fit to the current avatar size would be good since it follows current policy.

I have resized one of SA's submissions:

https://img464.imageshack.us/img464/1669/avatar9pt.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

This I would find acceptable. I would find most of the rest unacceptable unless they could be resized to fit and be of only one person.

Divinus Arma

02-26-2006, 19:36

I'm not sure if that pic posted, I'll try again:

https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4940/avatar7nl.png (https://imageshack.us)

Quietus

02-26-2006, 19:38

Divinus, if you go to User Options, then tick the custom avatar field
then go to User Profile and paste 'blue text' from the new avatar gallery, you can use the new ones.

TosaInu

02-26-2006, 21:44

It's a choice Divinus Arma: display the system avatars (which will be what it always was) or this more custom set. Each user can select what works best for him. There's a choice in forumskins, each user can decide to display pictures or signatures, this is just another choice.

I did a batch conversion: and quite a few avatars are larger than the proposed 10 kb, what to do there?

Divinus Arma

02-27-2006, 06:45

Divinus, if you go to User Options, then tick the custom avatar field
then go to User Profile and paste 'blue text' from the new avatar gallery, you can use the new ones.

User options? I have "USER CP"...

AntiochusIII

02-27-2006, 07:11

User options? I have "USER CP"...Well, I think he means that.

Of the issue at hand, I am in full support of the system. And from what I've seen, all, including the yet-to-be-usable ones are acceptable except a few in-game snapshots from Rome, which are off. My criteria would be of TW-themed -- or Japanese, Medieval, and Classical themed, as long as they fit well with the TW concept -- objects, portraits, busts, etc., in which all of the uploaded avatars basically fit.

Divinus Arma

02-27-2006, 07:27

AntiochusIII, isn't that Simon Appleton's old Avatar?

I can't find where to do this. All I see is User CP and then Edit Avatar...

:help:

Divinus Arma

02-27-2006, 07:32

Wait.... I don't get it.

Custom URL avatars? Are these supposed to show up in the discussion board or only when you look at someone's profile...?

Divinus Arma

02-27-2006, 07:37

Oh that is soooooooooooooooooooo weird. I just figured it out.

Now I see two heads? bleh.

Divinus Arma

02-27-2006, 07:41

I totally get it now. Wow. Uhm.... Ya. One head, two head, whatever, eh.

R'as al Ghul

02-27-2006, 09:52

I did a batch conversion: and quite a few avatars are larger than the proposed 10 kb, what to do there?

Most of them range between 12 and 15 kb.
We could set the max at 15kb. I think only a few of them are over 15.
Or convert them all again. :dizzy2:
How much would the overall traffic be influenced at 15kb?
OT: The new avatar suits you very good, Tosa. :bow:

Very cool R'as! :bow: I'm using Assassin11, thx.

You're welcome. :bow:

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-27-2006, 10:41

Some very nice avatars there R'as, there is now plenty of depth and variety for forum users to select from.

I know the avatars submitted by myself are probably not the best - the results of a GOOGLE image search, then some tweaking with the GIMP. I'd just thought to include a bit of variety using a TW theme. Many of the pictures are to be found in TW promotions, case packaging, in-game screenshots and so on and so forth. Some of the avatars were inspired by what I'd seen at other forums, specfically the busts of famous generals.

Obviously the TW theme is debatable, every single avatar submitted is debatable. But as more and more themes are submitted, the greater the strain of acceptability, IE "do we accept yet another varied theme for avatars, or should we block the use of this latest theme?"

The concept of custom URL avatars is still relatively new at present; it will be interesting to see how it develops.

I've been considering editing some of my .TGA screenshots (IE from the battlefield) from RTW and BI and possibly submitting them as custom avatars. I have a good selection to choose from, roughly 1300+ at present. Would I be starting a new theme with this idea? ~D Thanks :medievalcheers:

[EDIT:]Btw, I think one of the avatars in the SA subdirectory (this one (http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/avatars/index.php?st=foto_detail&foto_dir=avatar/SA&foto=arch.gif)) was uploaded by somebody else than myself. Looking at the posters in this topic already, I'd think it was therother ~D, thanks.

TosaInu

02-27-2006, 11:43

Wait.... I don't get it.

Custom URL avatars? Are these supposed to show up in the discussion board or only when you look at someone's profile...?

It's a second system. Each user can display one or the other or both (there are toggles in the UserCP).

This second system was intended to be 'display whatever you want', but we have some rules now.

Instead of staff making a middleway selection of many wishes (search Watchtower, there are several avatar discussions since 2002), users decide. I'm fine with a Teletubbie (R) (C) (TM) or Harry Potter (R) (C) (TM) theme if that's what users want, it's obviously PG-13 safe and a black antenna or a purple dragon will suit me as well.

There's still work to do. This page should provide best help to set your account for now: http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/avatars/

All users who don't have an URL avatar yet, now show a default one so everything looks balanced.

R'as al Ghul

02-27-2006, 11:57

Tosa,

I've a question.
Before we started this Uesugi Kenshin was the only one whos
avatar showed while all other patrons had board avatars.
Now, it seems that all who haven't selected a url avatar
get this default one:
http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/avatars/avatar/SA/mtw2.jpg

Is this a bug or intentional? I find it confusing and would like
it more as we had it before. Meaning, that their old board avatar is shown
instead of the default url-avatar.

:bow:

EDIT:Nevermind, you've explained it above.

TosaInu

02-27-2006, 12:09

Yes, there's a lot to say to display the board avatar instead. But as we have one dimension now, it's neat to make it like this.

TosaInu

02-27-2006, 12:44

I totally get it now. Wow. Uhm.... Ya. One head, two head, whatever, eh.

This seems to be closest to what you want, forgive my intrusion and feel free to upload a better one (has to be same size though).

Ludens

02-27-2006, 14:13

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-27-2006, 15:59

Various Medieval and Rome related avatars, I will submit all of these shortly:

https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9323/mtw135cm.jpg
Henry VIII

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8782/mtw146ya.jpg
Henry V

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9006/mtw156ok.jpg
Joan d'Arc

https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8831/mtw163qd.jpg
El Cid

https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8811/mtw177oc.jpg
Saladin

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9708/mtw186nm.jpg

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9633/mtw193nj.jpg
Moctezuma

https://img506.imageshack.us/img506/6834/mtw200mc.jpg
Hernando Cortez

https://img506.imageshack.us/img506/9072/rtw139oy.jpg

https://img506.imageshack.us/img506/8272/rtw140jf.jpg

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8867/rtw151gz.jpg

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1633/rtw164mk.jpg

https://img506.imageshack.us/img506/7841/rtw177eu.jpg

[EDIT:]Named some portraits for descriptive purposes

Conqueror

02-27-2006, 18:27

I submitted this picture of Hannibal, I think it looks better than the statue picture.
https://img466.imageshack.us/img466/3038/hannibal4ld.jpg

TosaInu

02-27-2006, 19:08

Added Hannibal and new ones by Seasoned Alcoholic.

Reverend Joe

02-27-2006, 19:59

Great new avatars. Hail Tosa! :2thumbsup:

Edit: I was wondering what attracted me to this one, and now I know what it is: the first faction I ever played in MTW was the Almohads. Wierd how the subconscious works.

Viking

02-27-2006, 20:24

Test post. :balloon2:

Edit: It works. I`m like a new person.

2. Edit: I`ve disabled custom avatars, the pages were way to messy when both "the old" and the URL avatars shows up. I still have a custom avatar selected though, so I take it that it still shows.

Simetrical

02-27-2006, 22:03

I have switched off URL avatars again because I could not stand to see almost everyone with the same picture. What was wrong with the previous system that only showed URL avatars if people had selected them?Agreed, I'm going to have to turn off URL avatars if this continues. I can't tell anyone apart.

Also, this may sound selfish, but do we have to share? The system as it's currently working appears to be basically just a second collective avatar pool that can be expanded by users. I would prefer something closer to a normal CA system as far as that goes: the entire purpose is to allow people to be more distinct and express themselves better, and that goal is harmed if anyone can browse through a list and pick my avatar. This is a modified version of the avatar I use everywhere:

https://img499.imageshack.us/img499/2584/clonecroppedfortheguild21yg.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

It fits the medieval theme, certainly, but I don't want a ton of people to start using it . . . that would rather defeat the point.

TosaInu

02-27-2006, 22:11

therother

02-27-2006, 22:41

I agree with Sim and Ludens: if a Member doesn't select a URL avatar, their standard board avatar should be shown. It will probably get better once more people take up URL avatars, but having the vast majority of people with the same URL avatar is distracting.

As for Sim's second issue, perhaps we could separate URL avatars into 2 pools: one for general Member usage, one for individual use? For instance, assuming they don't mind, Seasoned Alcoholic and R'as al Ghul's avatars could go into the general usage pot, whereas avatars like Sim's would go into the individual pot, named after their usernames, ensuring that everybody knows which avatar is for each user.

Conqueror

02-27-2006, 22:53

Here's a suggestion: we could make an invisible avatar by creating a fully transparent .gif image. That one could then be displayed as the "default" custom avatar for all those who have not specified a custom avatar for themselves, instead of the SA/mtw2.jpg which seems to be the dafault picture at the moment. This way, those who haven't set a custom avatar would appear to have no avatar.

Perhaps not the most elegant solution, but it would at least fix the problem of the same avatar being displayed all over the place.

Quietus

02-28-2006, 04:18

You mean: no display of Christian, Islamitic or Jewish God, son, prophet?
I agree with that.

As for other religions, ancient or new: I'm not aware of any problem with displaying gods/spirits/holy men (talking from the believers point of view). But some respect should be given there too: shouldn't display Hachiman/Mars picking daisies. I didn't necessarily meant Gods, but Supernatural as in beyond the natural laws of the world (ie. cartoons, fairies, Transformers, E.T. etc.)

IMO, Gods and religion are fair game, only in that they are part of history (i.e. Crusades, Jihad, etc.). Although I'm aware of that cartoon depictions of Muhammed (will offend Dariush, Mouzaf, faisal and LEN). Outside of the forum, to me it is still free speech....

Two things in one here, splendid.
-Display or don't display war objects?
-Era? Is an avatar of a 1980 USSR spetsnas part of the theme? Or do we look at what's part of official TW titles and mods? So, around 19th century and earlier. IMO, modern military technology is fine, but I just have an inkling that everyone wants the pre-mechanized warfare.

@Seasoned Alcoholic: nice new batch! :2thumbsup:

@Divinus: LOL

TosaInu

02-28-2006, 12:22

I didn't necessarily meant Gods, but Supernatural as in beyond the natural laws of the world (ie. cartoons, fairies, Transformers, E.T. etc.)

I see.

IMO, Gods and religion are fair game, only in that they are part of history (i.e. Crusades, Jihad, etc.). Although I'm aware of that cartoon depictions of Muhammed (will offend Dariush, Mouzaf, faisal and LEN). Outside of the forum, to me it is still free speech....

A simple bloodtest will tell you're nanoprobes free. It's even your good right to say inside this forum that you don't believe this or that (TM).

All three mentioned God religions have in common, granted I'm not an expert, that displaying God is off. For some reason that's extended to Son, Spirit, prophets and Holy men. I know there are exceptions, condoned, officially supported or heretic. Feel free to discuss all that in the Backroom. There will not be any such avatars: no Michelangelos God, no Jesus Christ, no Mohammed, no JahWeh.

Other religions/beliefs don't have imposed limits in displaying gods, spirits or holy men (there are events without cameras, holy men who don't like to be photoshot, but that's different). Displaying a picture of Boeddha is fine, but don't mock it (though I doubt you could possibly do that).

IMO, modern military technology is fine, but I just have an inkling that everyone wants the pre-mechanized warfare.

We should hear more opinions.

The system avatars are displayed again when one does not have an URL one. But now it's exploded to the large size (not 100% crisp and sharp, but should do).

R'as al Ghul

02-28-2006, 13:12

The system avatars are displayed again when one does not have an URL one. But now it's exploded to the large size (not 100% crisp and sharp, but should do).

The idea to display the system avatars is very good.
But, as you've said, the exploded size doesn't look that good.
Maybe we could change them all to 96*142 as in the game?
Other skins could downsize them automatically?
Arrgh, I think I'm asking too much.

I also like the option for the personal avatar pool as suggested by therother.

:bow:

Zain

02-28-2006, 13:52

Hello, I believe that people should be able to suggest custom avatars, but they have to do with the subject at hand. Either something around Shogun times, Medieval times, or Roman times. I'm happy with my avatar, but some may not be...

-ZainDustin

Seasoned Alcoholic

02-28-2006, 14:19

I also like the option for the personal avatar pool as suggested by therother.

:bow:

Yeah, I'll second therother's idea. If you want to share an avatar pool R'as thats fine with me, I know mine are somewhat varied to your own, but at least they are along similar lines (IE the TW theme) :medievalcheers:

TosaInu

02-28-2006, 16:42

Is possible.

TosaInu

02-28-2006, 16:47

The idea to display the system avatars is very good.
But, as you've said, the exploded size doesn't look that good.
Maybe we could change them all to 96*142 as in the game?
Other skins could downsize them automatically?
Arrgh, I think I'm asking too much.

I also like the option for the personal avatar pool as suggested by therother.

:bow:

One of the reasons to make the old avatars 50 pixels wide, was to keep filesize small. So, sorry. They are the same proportions, so apart from not looking that great, they don't become abstract art.

Personal avatar is possible, same criteria, use your nick to give it a name: for example therother.gif or Ras_Al_Ghul.jpg. The server doesn't like spaces ' or other keys here, underscore, letters and numbers only.

Narayanese

02-28-2006, 16:55

Is jpg format OK?
I don't have something to lower the size of gifs, but jpg are easy to make small.
https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9956/manwithredcap9hm.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Renaissance warfare theme.
And as said by others, one prefers a unique avatar.

TosaInu

02-28-2006, 17:02

Any web compatible format is fine: gif, jpg, jpeg (cough), bmp, png. Flash is a whole different ballgame though.

You have jpg cruncher?

Narayanese

02-28-2006, 17:35

Any web compatible format is fine: gif, jpg, jpeg (cough), bmp, png. Flash is a whole different ballgame though.
good~:)

You have jpg cruncher?
No, just the standard 0 - 100% quality slider. I'm using GIMP, and it refuses to save gifs in any other colour depth than 256 colour, which makes 13kB.

King Henry V

02-28-2006, 19:48

May I just say that we go back to the original default avatars for the URL ones? The enlarged "normal" avatars do not look good.

Viking

02-28-2006, 21:06

Toggle URL avatars on and normal avatars off -> displays only URL avatars.

:idea2:

May I just say that we go back to the original default avatars for the URL ones? The enlarged "normal" avatars do not look good.

Yeah, the old size is way better, IMO.

Alexander the Pretty Good

03-01-2006, 02:29

Gah!

I don't know if it's been brought up or not, but would it be possible to allow only "default" avatars to be displayed for people? IE, members can choose their own custom one but they also have a default from the normal avatar pool and you can choose to see which avatars are displayed for you personally: either custom avatars or "default" ones?

TosaInu

03-01-2006, 11:31

https://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9956/manwithredcap9hm.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Renaissance warfare theme.
And as said by others, one prefers a unique avatar.

Do you want this avatar to be unique for yourself? It will have to be renamed to Narayanese.jpg then and will be uploaded to a non public folder. Yes? -> I do. No? -> will be moved to the public folder. Yes/no?

No, just the standard 0 - 100% quality slider. I'm using GIMP, and it refuses to save gifs in any other colour depth than 256 colour, which makes 13kB.

Does it have a preview and size info for that? The application I use, is a bit limited.

May I just say that we go back to the original default avatars for the URL ones? The enlarged "normal" avatars do not look good.

The options are:
-display nothing.
-display just a large avatar.
-display the system avatar as it is.
-display enlarged system avatar.

I doubt that there are other options, without increasing the filesize of the system avatars, but suggestions are welcome.

Narayanese

03-01-2006, 16:53

Do you want this avatar to be unique for yourself? It will have to be renamed to Narayanese.jpg then and will be uploaded to a non public folder. Yes? -> I do. No? -> will be moved to the public folder. Yes/no?
Yes, I'll upload it as Narayanese.jpg, please delete the old one.:bow:

Does it have a preview and size info for that? The application I use, is a bit limited.
No, you have to test until you get the right file size.
Here is a link to GIM btw: http://www.gimp.org/ in csae anyone is interested. It's freeware.[/QUOTE]

Uesugi Kenshin

03-01-2006, 23:25

TosaInu

03-01-2006, 23:54

Tosa would you mind making mine unique to me? If you'd rather keep the guinea pig series public that's okay too, but It'd be nice for this one to be unique to me.

The custom avatar system seems to be taking nicely, good job!

It is now. You still have the source? The re-edits and re-saves may not have made the best result.

Simetrical

03-02-2006, 05:50

All three mentioned God religions have in common, granted I'm not an expert, that displaying God is off. For some reason that's extended to Son, Spirit, prophets and Holy men. I know there are exceptions, condoned, officially supported or heretic.The exceptions are the rule in most of Judaism and Christianity, but then, hardline Muslims are against any portrayal of a One God, as well as any of those they consider prophets (including Jesus and a number of [other] Jewish prophets).

I'm using GIMP, and it refuses to save gifs in any other colour depth than 256 colour, which makes 13kB.256-color is the only color depth for GIF. But the real point is that you probably want JPG, not GIF. It will very likely give better compression.

GIMP does have a filesize preview, incidentally. There's a checkbox for it somewhere.

Narayanese

03-02-2006, 09:59

256-color is the only color depth for GIF. But the real point is that you probably want JPG, not GIF. It will very likely give better compression.

GIMP does have a filesize preview, incidentally. There's a checkbox for it somewhere. Found the checkbox, thanks.
I once had a program (from Ulead I think) that could save gifs in any number of colours (powers of 2) up to 256, and image size decreased with lowered colourdepth. But yes, jpg is better.

Uesugi Kenshin

03-03-2006, 04:20

R'as al Ghul

03-03-2006, 10:52

Yeah I do, here it is: http://www.sinister-designs.com/graphicarts/terutora2-2.html

Thanks for doing this Tosa, it looks pretty good right now, but if you want to resize it again, or focus it in on his face a bit that'd be great.

I took the liberty to make this one:
https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6649/uesugikenshin4xq.jpg

Feel free to use it if you like it.

:bow:

Seasoned Alcoholic

03-03-2006, 17:48

Submitted a small batch of shogun-related avatars.

Uesugi Kenshin

03-04-2006, 01:52

That looks great R'as, Tosa would you mind either tossing that one in and setting it as my private av, or instructing me on how exactly to do it.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Quietus

03-04-2006, 16:49

Tosa, can I use this as my unique avatar?

https://img467.imageshack.us/img467/2071/quietus6aa.jpg

I've also uploaded Avatars (aculture1-17). :)

ps. they are all less than 10 kb.

Thx

Uesugi Kenshin

03-05-2006, 01:38

Thanks a lot for changing my avatar Tosa, now it is perfect!:2thumbsup:

Quietus

03-05-2006, 07:33

My new avatar looks nice as well, thx Tosa. :balloon2:

I've uploaded new avatars (aculture18-32). :balloon2:

Seasoned Alcoholic

03-06-2006, 00:14

I've uploaded new avatars (aculture18-32). :balloon2:

Some nice ones there :medievalcheers:

Uploaded a batch of 16 RTW-related avatars.

Avicenna

03-06-2006, 20:39

Could we add older versions of the current RTW family members in? (most are only the younger version of the char, ie <50)

TosaInu

03-07-2006, 15:21

I'm unsure, what to make available: http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/review/index.php

R'as al Ghul

03-07-2006, 15:31

I'm against the box cover scans, the jap. castle and the centurion scrrenshot.
The others are okay.
The aculture ones by Quietus are nice, they at least have a frame.
Maybe we should make frames mandatory?

Seasoned Alcoholic

03-07-2006, 16:29

I'm against the box cover scans, the jap. castle and the centurion scrrenshot.

Yeah, since these were in the first batch I uploaded and things were still being debated you could delete these from the submission pool if you like Tosa.

Maybe we should make frames mandatory?

Do you (or anyone) know how to create frames with The GIMP? It would be good to know for future reference before submitting further batches ~D

[EDIT:]The ones from the first batch are mtw1.jpg, mtw3.jpg, stw1.jpg, stw4.jpg, stw6.jpg, stw7.jpg, rtw1.jpg

Quietus

03-08-2006, 02:34

Do you (or anyone) know how to create frames with The GIMP? It would be good to know for future reference before submitting further batches ~D

[EDIT:]The ones from the first batch are mtw1.jpg, mtw3.jpg, stw1.jpg, stw4.jpg, stw6.jpg, stw7.jpg, rtw1.jpg I do. I made those from the GIMP.

1) I can upload the frames (in .XCF file) to TOSA and give instructions how use them with the GIMP if anyone else is interested.

2) I can post how to make the frames in GIMP. It's a step by step procedure. :)

Seasoned Alcoholic

03-08-2006, 10:18

2) I can post how to make the frames in GIMP. It's a step by step procedure. :)

If you could please post a guide / tutorial on how to do this, it would be greatly appreciated! I've been searching through all the plugins / filters etc, but couldn't find anything that inserted / created frames.

R'as al Ghul

03-08-2006, 10:26

Well, the easiest way is perhaps to just copy an avatar with frame
to your harddisk. Open it with gimp. Paint everything black/ cut out
everything that's not the frame and voila you have an empty frame
that's 96*142. Now measure the inside, it's ca 86*132, and take that
as a reference for your selection tool. Make a fixed selection on any pic
you like and copy the selection into your empty frame. It should fit nicely.

I've messed it up a little for Uesugi Kenshin's avatar. That is, one pixel column
on the left is still black. :embarassed:

Uesugi Kenshin

03-08-2006, 22:45

Looks fine to me....

Thanks a lot for making it BTW, I'm not sure I thanked you before.

R'as al Ghul

03-09-2006, 07:55

Looks fine to me....

Thanks a lot for making it BTW, I'm not sure I thanked you before.

You're welcome.
I've convinced myself that the one pixel black line is the shadow of the frame. :wink:

Uesugi Kenshin

03-10-2006, 03:06

Works for me!~:thumb:

Quietus

03-10-2006, 08:58

If you could please post a guide / tutorial on how to do this, it would be greatly appreciated! I've been searching through all the plugins / filters etc, but couldn't find anything that inserted / created frames.
Based on the Golden Text tutorial on the net.

For GIMP 2.2.10 (not guaranteed for other versions).

Part 1

1) Open a new file>142x96>advanced option>RGB color + Transparency (fill with)

2) Filter>Render>clouds>Solid Noise>ok

3) Tick Turbulent, Tile, detail: 1, X: 3, Y:3

4) Click the seed until you see a consistent cloud>ok

5) Layer>colors>auto>stretch contrast

6) Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur> V: 1, H:1>ok

7) Click the Gradient tab and pick your gradient

8) Filters>colors>Map>Gradient Map.

9) Image>flatten Image

Part 2

1) Open a new file>132x86>advanced option>RGB color + Transparency (fill with)

2) Script-fu>decor>add border>X: 5, Y:5, color: black.

3) Image>Merge visible layer>clipped to image>ok

4) Layer>duplicate layer

5) Go to the layers tab and click the “eye” on the “background” layer to inactivate it.

6) Layer>new layer>142x96>advanced option>RGB color + white (fill with).

7) Lower the white layer so is it is below the “background copy” by clicking the arrow button.

8) Image>Merge visible layer>clipped to image> ok

9) Layer>colors>invert

10) Filters>Blur>Gaussian Blur>V: 1 H: 1>ok

11) Left click, drag & drop that layer to the Window of the file in Part 1 ( that layer should appear on the layer tab of the Part 1 file)

12) Layer>New layer>142x96>RGB color + Transparency

13) Filter>Light Effects>Lighting Effects

14) Environment Map tab>enable>Choose the layer with the color gradient

15) Bump Map>enable>Choose the layer with the black background>Max Height: .05

16) Options tab>tick transparent background.

17) Left click and drag the blue dot to the center of the screen>ok

Part 3

1) Go back to the file in part 2

2) Click the “eye” to deactivate the “new layer” and click the “eye” to activate the “background” layer.

3) Layer>duplicate layer (background)>deactivate the background again.

4) Choose the duplicate layer>Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur> V:1, H:1

5) Repeat part 3, step 4 (3-4 times)

6) Drag and drop this (shadow) layer to the Window of the part 2 file.

7) Arrange the layer so that the frame is on top and the shadow layer just below (and both active)

8) deactivate all the rest of the layers.

9) SAVE AS frame.xcf

9) File>open as layer>Pick the picture you want to frame>ok

10) Right-click the picture layer>scale layer (scale and move the layer as you want to frame)

11) Remember the order of the active layers:

Frame
Shadow
Picture

12) SAVE AS as a .jpg file>export>preview> save as less than 10 kb

13) Exit the file BUT do not save the changes so the original .xcf file is preserved

:)

Seasoned Alcoholic

03-10-2006, 11:27

Guys, thanks for both of you tutorials.

Quietus, I managed to create an image with a frame from your tutorial, but the final frame was a blurred black colour without the frame (background?) effects. Think I must have missed a step or gone about a stage in the wrong way.

Tbh, I'm a complete novice when it comes to art and design, your tutorial has opened up many unrecognised areas to me. I'm not the best at layers and stuff like that, I'm not really an artist so its all a bit confusing :dizzy2:

You've probably already noticed that because in my mod I've had to request help (thanks to Marly :thumbsup:) with the new unit and unit info cards. Wouldn't really know where to start when creating completely new ones, unit info bases (EG dirt, grass, scrub etc). I'll leave it to the professionals in other words ~D

I'm going to keep creating JPG custom URL avatars and upload them to the pool, but these will be without frames. At least we will know whose is whose! ~D

Thanks.

Seasoned Alcoholic

03-13-2006, 01:08

Added another small batch of Shogun, Medieval and Rome related avatars to the pool.

Crazed Rabbit

07-16-2006, 18:57

Hmm. I just uploaded an avatar and figured I'd bump this thread instead of starting a new one. It's the one with the knight and lightning and says 'CR_avartarv1' or something similar.

If it got approved, that'd be great.

Thanks,
Crazed Rabbit

naut

12-22-2006, 05:19

*Bump*

Uploaded this:

https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7035/rythavun4.png

Is it acceptable?

TosaInu

12-22-2006, 11:21

TosaInu

12-22-2006, 11:36

*Bump*

Uploaded this:

https://img141.imageshack.us/img141/7035/rythavun4.png

Is it acceptable?

It will be added Rythmic. Is this intended to be added to the public pool, or personal?

naut

12-22-2006, 12:06

Personal I guess.

Cheers.

TosaInu

12-22-2006, 22:17

You mean http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/A_Crazed_Rabbit.jpg Crazed Rabbit?

Lord_Tamerial

12-28-2006, 20:43

https://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8498/m2avataraztecnn4.png Here is an Aztec Avatar I made. It was quick and simple.

Motep

12-28-2006, 22:19

wait....im confusd here. Can you have a custom avatar?

sapi

12-29-2006, 02:47

Only if it is in the org url avatar database.

Ars Moriendi

02-20-2007, 18:42

How long does it take for uploaded custom avatars to become available ?
I don't want to be pushy, but it's been two months since I've uploaded some pics (the ones numbered AM_###), and they're still in the "preview" area - it's getting tiresome to check weekly if they're still there.
Will they ever be ok ? If not, can I at least have one of them ? I've kindof started to become attached to old brodar Dominic (AM_006 (http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/review/index.php?st=foto_detail&foto_dir=review&foto=AM_006.jpg))

Crazed Rabbit

02-20-2007, 18:57

You mean http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/A_Crazed_Rabbit.jpg Crazed Rabbit?

Actually, I meant this one:
http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/review/review/bak/CR_Avatarv1.jpg

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/review/index.php?st=foto_detail&foto_dir=review/bak&foto=CR_Avatarv1.jpg
Similar, but a later version of my knight with lightning series, intended to be a personal avatar.

Sorry for the delayed reply, and thanks for the help.

CR

Kralizec

02-20-2007, 21:39

I assume custom avatars have to be TW themed?

TosaInu

02-21-2007, 00:42

It's a bit broader than that Fenring. It has to be a ~historical figure. So it can be a person from NTW. Don't think WW1 soldiers are allowed.

Don't know actually. It's custom, it was decided by the users to be themed but noone knows what the limits are. That's why there's a review section. I can see what matches what is set so far and for real new stuff we await user feedback.

Thank you for uploading Ars Moriendi. Please drop a note here or PM me. I check it every now and then, but it slips.

Ars Moriendi

02-21-2007, 16:28

Thanks a lot for making the avatars available, Tosa !

I didn't announce the upload because I assumed it's some kind of automatic process (if no one raises an objection in a certain amount of time - they'd become available...)

Caius

02-21-2007, 20:32

Caius

03-21-2007, 23:23

How to upload much avatars?

TosaInu

03-22-2007, 14:00

Hello Caius Flaminius,

You can load up to 5 files at a time. This can also be ZIP or RAR up to 2 mb. Just drop me a PM or post in this topic and I'll unpack them.

Mailman653

11-14-2007, 22:40

Continued from https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=93767

They are under 10kb and 96x142.
Preview shot
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/Officerpuppy_/Other/MarquisdeLafayette.jpghttps://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/Officerpuppy_/Other/WilliamEaton.jpg
What I have so far:

(Continental) Army
Andrew Jackson
George Armistead
George Washington
Marquis de Lafayette
Baron von Steuben
Tadeusz Kosciuszko
Charle Armand Tuffin
Jean-Baptiste Donatiende Vimeur
Jean baron de Kalb
Kazimierz Pułaski
Marquis de Lafayette
Winfield Scott
William Hull
John Wool
Henry Dearborn

Navy
Isaac Hull
John Paul Jones
Joshua Barney
Stephen Decatur
William Bainbridge
Isaac Chauncey
Oliver Perry
Thomas Macdonough

(Continental) Marines
Samuel Nicholas
Presley O'Bannon

Presidents
James Madison
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
JohnAdams

I've uploaded the folder onto the server.

TosaInu

11-15-2007, 11:30

That's very nice Mailman653.

Mailman653

11-16-2007, 22:59

I made up a second set of North American avatars, I tried to include some French, English,Canadian and Native American personalities from the French-Indian war, American Revolution and the War of 1812. Though most of them are English:laugh4: Couldn't find too many Frenchmen in portrait. Also included are three more Americans which I forgot to put in the last set.

Preview
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/Officerpuppy_/Other/JohnBurgoyne.jpghttps://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b344/Officerpuppy_/Other/BanastreTarleton.jpg

Army
Isaac Brock
Charles de Salaberry
George Prevost
Gordon Drummond
Joseph W. Morrison
Charles Cornwallis
Henry Clinton
John Burgoyne
Banastre Tarleton
Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
James Wolfe
Roger Morris

Navy
Robert H. Barclay
George Cockburn
John Byng (Served in the mediterranean, I included him ony because I found out after I finished it)

Natives
Tecumseh
Tenskwatawa
Teyoninhokarawen
Thayendanegea

American(Forgot to include them in the first pack)
Horatio Gates (He served with the British during the French-Indian war as well)
John Stricker
William Eaton
Daniel Morgan

It's on the server.

TosaInu

11-16-2007, 23:08

Did you upload any already Mailman653?

rajpoot

01-18-2008, 05:32

Hi,
I've uploaded an avatar, actually I've uploaded two but that was a mistake, I just want the smaller one of the two.
This is the name;
180px-RajaRaviVarma_MaharanaPratap.jpg
I'll be glad if this could be accepted. Thanks.

The Wandering Scholar

02-01-2008, 19:01

My avatar is sweeet. What joy i would feel to see him in rtw. Oh well.

Durango

02-06-2009, 22:44

I've created an avatar for myself, it depicts a Karolin soldier during the Great Northern War 1700-1721.

Tell me what you guys think :beam:

https://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8724/karoliner4up8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

I would very much like to use this avatar as soon as possible...

Durango

02-06-2009, 23:05

Frightfully sorry to doublepost, but since I can't edit my previous, I have to.

I've mistakenly uploaded two larger versions, but the one I linked to and want is called Karoliner4.jpg.

:bow:

pevergreen

02-07-2009, 01:38

That's a nice avatar, fits in with Empire: Total War. I don't see a reason you can't use that for your URL avatar.

:2thumbsup:

TosaInu

02-07-2009, 14:12

Nice Durango. You mean this picture, didn't you?

Durango

02-07-2009, 14:38

That's a nice avatar, fits in with Empire: Total War. I don't see a reason you can't use that for your URL avatar.

:2thumbsup:

Thanks man! :beam:

Nice Durango. You mean this picture, didn't you?
Glad to see my picture in the profile so fast, man :2thumbsup:

Well, I originally wanted that one, yes. But shortly after creating that one, I saw that you guys prefer to have frames around the pictures. I'm new here, so I must have missed that while reading this page.

So, as you can see, I uploaded a framed version called Durango.jpg. This is the one I want, for private use if possible.

Additionally, since I now have the frame template, I can get to work creating public avatars from the ETW timeframe, If you guys would like. Since I saw a number of existing portraits are of faction leaders, officers and the like, I will concentrate on producing avatars with regular soldiers and other more "gritty" motives.

Thanks again.

TosaInu

02-07-2009, 15:39

Hello Durango,

I thought so. But I can't find the framed one you made, it's not on ImageShack as far as I can see either. You could try to attach it here?

Durango

02-07-2009, 17:24

Hello Durango,

I thought so. But I can't find the framed one you made, it's not on ImageShack as far as I can see either. You could try to attach it here?

Oh, sure. I'm also going to post the other public avatars I've made today.

First, my own, Durango1.jpg

https://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1731/durangonc9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Then, a continental US soldier

https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4131/continentalofficer1xp2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

And a British Grenadier from the War of Independence

https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4086/britishgrenadier1je8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

And last, a French line soldier from the French and Indian War

https://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1994/bourboninfantry1le2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

These take a while to make, so I won't be releasing huge batches of them :beam:
(I combine old paintings together with suitable pictures, adjust and tweak to form the final framed result).

Enjoy and tell me what you think!

Vuk

02-13-2009, 20:50

Will Vuk be able to have his dream avatar added to his private collection?
I use it on all the other forums that I frequent, so it would be nice to use it here as well.
http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/review/review//avatar_14696.gif

Vuk

02-14-2009, 19:02

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pics/review/review//Vuk2.gif
I did my best to resize, but all I have here is Mic Paint, so it is not much. :P

Vuk

02-14-2009, 20:01

So, I need the community's permission to have this avatar as it mixes time periods, so what do you guys think? Can the Vukster have his avatar? :beam:
Remember what will happen if you say no. :hmg:
:beam:

Vuk

02-24-2009, 19:42

Sooooo, do I get it? Come on already, I gotta know!

Vuk

03-01-2009, 16:13

I know this is my 5th straight post, but come on, I tried PMing and everything, could you please answer me Tosa? I want to know if I will be able to use my avatars or not.

pevergreen

03-02-2009, 13:22

Seriously Vuk, bumping aint gunna help.

He will reply when he has time. There is more important stuff, I'm sorry to say, like making sure the forums keep working. :grin2:

Vuk

03-02-2009, 20:04

Seriously Vuk, bumping aint gunna help.

He will reply when he has time. There is more important stuff, I'm sorry to say, like making sure the forums keep working. :grin2:

lol, what could be more important than my avatar? :P Nah, I am impatient I know, but I cannot help it. :P

RZST

03-04-2009, 20:41

heres some quick custom avas. havnet uploaded it yet. thoughts?

https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_02.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_03.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_04.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_01.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_05.jpg
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_06.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_07.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_08.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_09.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_10.jpg
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_11.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_12.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_13.jpghttps://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/dropdeadpinoy186/ava_14.jpg

i need help with photos references though, any site that has 18th century war paintings/portraits? google images doesnt help much =P

Vuk

03-07-2009, 16:48