How to add a profile photo (avatar)

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CosbyArt

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As the question of how to add or upload a member profile photo comes up frequently, and I did not find any how to guide, I figured it was time to put one on here. Especially one with photos to clear up any possible confusion.

It seems one of the issues is that a profile photo can not be uploaded direct to the forum, "Upload from file", even if it meets the requirements, so it is likely the cause of the problems/questions lately. Feel free to try it yourself though, but as of this writing photos can only be linked to from a image host first, "Import a photo from a URL", to be added successfully.

Photo Requirements

A requirement for a profile photo is the image file must be less than 200KB in filesize, and the dimensions must be 200x200 pixels or larger - an ideal image size is 300x300 pixels square (as the photo will be cropped to a square image, and a larger pixel size will be lost anyway).

You can edit your photos using a online photo editor such as the Pixlr editor, or others. Or simply use a imaging program on your computer like MS Paint, Gimp, Krita, mtPaint, Photoshop, PaintShop Pro, or whatever you have.

profilepic1.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 1

Left click your member name from the forum toolbar.

profilepic2.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 2

Left click your profile photo from the pop-up menu.

profilepic3.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 3

Left click the Change button over your profile photo.

Adding a Profile Photo - Step 4

Upload your new profile photo to a image host like one of the free ones Imgur, PostImage, Flickr, or your own website hosting (What I personally do with my paid website hosting at NameCheap, to avoid another PhotoBucket incident...).

Once the image is uploaded get the photo URL address direct share link. This will vary depending on your host, see their instructions for getting the link if necessary.

profilepic4.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 5

With your profile photo uploaded, paste the photo URL address link into the import line that is labeled Import a photo from a URL. Then click the Import button to update your profile photo on the forum.

profilepic5.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 6

If your profile photo meets the requirements (as mentioned at the beginning), you will see your profile photo in the window.

profilepic6.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 7

If though instead of seeing your profile photo, but you get a error - then make sure your profile photo meets the requirements (listed at the beginning) and you have used the correct URL address link of your profile photo.

profilepic7.jpg


Adding a Profile Photo - Step 8

With your profile photo successfully updated left click the Done button. Congratulations. :)

 
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Nice write up. I edited the title because many places still call profile pictures avatars. I also pinned the thread so it will always be on the front page.

 
Nice write up. I edited the title because many places still call profile pictures avatars. I also pinned the thread so it will always be on the front page.
Thanks, and good catch on the avatar title (I didn't even think of that). ;)

 
Thanks for such a detailed list of "how to's". This is very kind of you to take the time to help the rest of us!

 
Thanks for such a detailed list of "how to's". This is very kind of you to take the time to help the rest of us!
Your welcome, glad it helps. Thankfully I have a daytime job, otherwise I'd flood the forum with more guides than anyone would care to read lol. :D

 
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