How to Make Your Own Online Virtual Avatars for Girls
An avatar is a computer-generated two dimensional representation of a person. The origination of the term "avatar" is attributed to author Neal Stephenson, who coined the term in a 1992 novel named "Snow Crash." The word is derived from the Sanskrit word, avatara, which means incarnation.
Many computer users display avatars instead of a real-life photo of themselves online. This is done to protect the person's privacy or to remain anonymous. Children under the age of 14 or so should utilize an avatar for safety purposes.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
With photo editing software, you can change the dress and the background. Find any graphic image or photo you have on your hard drive. You can also go online and search for cool or unique photos. Make sure you don't copy an image that is copyright protected.
Using some type of photo editing software, alter the image to suit your personal tastes. A girl who is into roller blading might choose a photo of herself roller blading and then enhance the photo with special effects in the photo-editing program. You can change the colors and even the background with some software programs.
-
2
An avatar can be anything from a scary monster to a snowman. Resize the image. Many problems arise because of the avatar's size. The maximum size allowed for uploading to most web sites is 96 by 96 pixels. The average size photo should be around 60 by 60 pixels to avoid any uploading issues.
Resize your image using "crop" or "re-size." Next Save the File as a JPG image. Most websites also allow other image file formats such as GIF or TIF.
-
-
3
Avatars can be fun and silly. Upload the image. Go to the web site where you'd like to post your avatar and find the link there to do so. Usually, there will be a link that says, "Upload Your Avatar." Once you click this link, you will be redirected to "Browse" the files on your computer for the image.
Return to the file location where you saved your avatar and double click on it. This action places the file location into the blank URL field. With most programs of this type, you simply click "Next" and the file is uploaded to the web site.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many web sites now exist whose sole purpose is to allow users to create and upload an avatar. These sites will have cartoon-like or animated templates to choose from. Usually these can be altered and given different clothes, hair and accessories. Some of these sites are directed more toward adults and may include images not suitable for children.
Caution young children to never talk to strangers online or give out any personal information. Just as in real life, doing so can be dangerous.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit smilie with yellow parasol enjoying summer sun image by Elnur from Fotolia.com pretty girl image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com cartoon alien image by Jesse-lee Lang from Fotolia.com happy girl in red dress image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
