How to Make Animated Emoticons for MSN

Emoticons are emotional graphics or faces that allow individuals the ability to express visually how they are feeling when words alone aren't enough. MSN Messenger comes prepackaged with a large library of emoticons. If the default smiley faces aren't enough, MSN also allows users to create their own. Locate an animated GIF file and you can make your own animated emoticon.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• MSN Messenger 7.5+
• Animated GIF File

1. Locate or create animated GIF. If you don't already have an animated GIF file, use an online GIF generator such as GIFNinja (www.gifninja.com/CreateAGif.aspx).

2. Launch MSN Messenger 7.5+ and double-click an individual in your contact list, the same way you send a message to someone. A blank message window will pop up.

3. Click the smile face icon next to the letter "A" in the toolbar of the message window. Under the My Emoticons icons, click the "more" link. The My Emoticons window will appear. Click the "Create" button. A second window named Add a Custom Emoticon will appear.

4. Click "Find Image" and browse to the animated GIF file. The GIF file must be smaller than 150kb to work; larger files will not upload to MSN. In the Add a Custom Emoticon window, specify a keyboard shortcut and name for your emoticon. Click "OK." Your animated emoticon is now added to MSN.

Tips & Warnings

• Put brackets or similar symbols around the name of your keyboard shortcut to prevent emoticons from becoming embedded in the middle of words. Example: "{silly}" rather than just "silly." If "silly" is used as the shortcut, anytime the word is typed, the emoticon will appear.

References

• MSN Emoticons
• Animated GIF Generator