New Restrictions on Avatar and Signature Graphics

Until now we have enjoyed the use of large avatars, fairly large signature plates and the usage of a lot of bandwidth. Sadly those days are about to end. Due to a number of hosting and dial-up access issues, I am now changing the graphic sizing rules.

Avatars

Avatars continue to be the 200x300 maximum dimensions we have become accustomed with in Andromorphia. All avatars whose dimensions are greater than 200 pixels wide and/or 300 pixels tall will be removed on or after January 8, 2005. Please check your avatar sizes and adjust them accordingly.

In addition, the maximum allowed avatar file size is 20K bytes. Any avatars exceeding that size will also be removed. Please check your avatar file sizes now and correct them as required. In the future, any avatars posted which exceed the allowed dimensions and/or file size will be removed after a warning through PM.

Avatar Max. Dimensions: 200 wide by 300 tall.
Avatar Max. File Size: 32K bytes.

Signatures

The greater problem we have in file size and dimensions is signature graphics. Many of the current signatures are well above 20K bytes in size. Also, most signatures have been created to fit the maximum allowable dimensions. While this has been allowed, it is now necessary to change the maximum to 400x100.

Signature graphics must not exceed 400 pixels wide by 100 pixels tall. File size for signatures must be 20K bytes or less. The same deadline for avatars applies to signature graphics as well.

In addition, there is often text above or below signatures. This is fine so long as the text is immediately above or below the graphic (with no extra space) and is no taller than two (2) lines. We are looking to reduce the signature area to a height of no more than 150 pixels maximum (graphic + text.)

Sig Graphic Max. Dimensions: 400 wide by 150 tall.
Sig Max. File Size: 32K bytes.
Maximum of two (2) lines of text signature with no extra line spaces.

Also, if you do not use a graphic in your signature, you may use up to FOUR (4) lines of text.

Images

Some images have exceeded the previous maximums. Please restrict any posted images in a message to less than 400x600. My preference is 400x400 max but so long as the width is less than or equal to 400 I will not complain.

Only post one (1) large image per post. If you have smaller images then you may post several in a single message. Any posts with large images or images with large file sizes may be deleted.

Summary

In order to continue to offer some of the largest avatars allowed in the Role Playing community I need you to follow the rules to the letter. Bandwidth, page loading times and problems for (especially) new users on a dial-up connection force me to make these restrictions. Let's enjoy our images and playing space while being considerate to users with slower connections.

Best Regards,
~valis

Time for a reminder to all, particularly newer members, of the size and dimension rules for avatars and signature graphics. Please review the message above and take special note of the following:

• No graphic file, be it an avatar or a signature image, may exceed 32,768 bytes in size.
• No avatar may be larger than 200 pixels wide by 300 pixels tall.
• No signature image may be larger than 400 pixels wide by 150 pixels tall.

You are allowed up to 2 lines of additional text under your signature graphic.

There are some avatars and signature graphics currently being used that are nearly twice the allowable size, and larger in dimension that allowed. Please check your avatars and signature graphics today and ensure that they do not exceed Andromorphia's requirements. If you need assistance in reducing the file size of an image or graphic, please feel free to contact me.

Special Note:

• Please avoid using off-site images for avatars. As of this morning, Andromorphia discourages avatars linked from other sites. However, you are able to provide the off-site URL for your avatar by including the URL in the Upload Avatar field. Andromorphia will automatically copy the image into her avatar storage. Signature graphics, however, are allowed to be linked from other sites.

EDIT: Keep in mind that the reason for these restrictions is to ensure that people with even slower internet connections can enjoy Andromorphia, as well as to ensure that everyone may play on a level playing field.