How to Create Animated Avatars For MySpace

While animated avatars have been popular in forums as long as can be remembered, they're now popping up more and more on MySpace. As "GIF" files, they can be used as your main photo or placed elsewhere on your profile or blog. Follow these steps to create animated avatars for your MySpace page.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection
• Software that plays movies like Quicktime or MovieSnapshot (see Resources below)
• Photo editing software that can create layers

Instructions

Create Still Images From a AVI or Movie File

1. Choose a short movie trailer, animated sequence or any video. If you want to use a portion of a film on a DVD, you must first rip the DVD into an "AVI" file.

2. Play through your video clip, pausing on the first frame, or shot, you want to use to create your animated avatar.

3. Create a still image of the frame you want to use. Some software allows you to "create thumbnail" or "save image," while in others you must print the screen or take a screen shot.

4. Advance the clip to the next frame and create a still image. Repeat through the sequence you wish to use for you avatar.

5. Open all of the still images using a photo editing program, placing each image into a separate layer.

Build an Animated Avatar for MySpace

1. Choose a set of still images that you want to create an animation of. This could a short sequence from a movie, a word or object in various colors, an image you've made slight variations to or just about any related series of images.

2. Open each image into one file, with each image placed on a separate layer. Be sure to line up the images exactly along the top and side of the file.

3. Crop the file to the size you want.

4. Check your animation in the "layer" or "frame" window. In some software programs you must create frames from the layers, while others create each frame automatically. Once you have the frames, hit play to watch the animation.

5. Set the time of each frame. If you are using a movie clip, then one second will work. Longer intervals will work for different avatars.

6. Save as a "GIF" file. Make sure you are saving each layer as a frame.

7. Upload your animated "GIF" to MySpace. From the MySpace home page, choose to edit your profile, then click the "Upload" link.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find creating your own animated avatars difficult, many Web sites offer a wide range for you to choose from.

• Animated images may only be saved as "GIF" files.

• Access the "MySpace Help Screen" for more information on customizing your profile (see Resources below).

• The actual process for creating animated avatars varies by the software you are using. Check the manual for help.

• Since the avatar will loop continuously, it is best to choose a short sequence without drastic movement.

• Think twice before including any important personal information, such as your phone number, on your MySpace page.