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Pae -> Detailed Sig Guide (2/19/2008 11:44:21)
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It's getting a little bit annoying with people asking about how to link to a picture in their sig in AQ Cards, especially since it says that the thread is only for posting requests in the first post. Anyway, heres a guide on sigs. When images are referred to, (Chapter # . # in pic) format is used.
It seems to be a little wordy. An outline form may be easier to follow, but it might not provide enough detail. I could easily edit this into an outline form.
Table of Contents:
I Place to Edit Your Sig
II Inserting Text into the Sig
III Inserting Image(s) into the Sig
IV Combining Images and Text
V Text and Image Linking
VI Advanced Formatting
VII Restrictions
VIII Extra Tips
Figure Library (single picture files for each of the pictures in the "Chapters"):
I | II | III: 1&2 3 4 5 6&7 | IV | V | VI (No images.) | VII
I Place to Edit Your Sig
Click on 'Profile', located in the upper right hand area of the boards ( I.1).
Scroll down to Signature ( I.2) and put what you want in the text box. Information about actually putting stuff in is covered in later sections.
After entering what you want, scroll down and click 'Apply' ( I.3). It will save the information and return you to the Profile page.
When the page finishes loading, click 'View My Profile' ( I.4). You can use this to preview what your signature will look like. See section VII for some restrictions.
II Inserting Text into the Sig
This is as easy as typing something into any word processing program. Type what you want to go in your sig, click 'Apply,' and you're done. Suppose that you want "Text Sig" in your sig. Enter it in the Signature section, click 'Apply' and preview it ( II.1).
III Inserting Image(s) into the Sig
Code: [img]link to the picture complete with http://[/image]
For now, assume that you already have the link for the image that you want to use in your sig. TinySig ( III.1) will be used as the example image. Typing [img]http://media.artix.com/encyc/AQ/paebgcgdy/Guides/Sigs/TinySig.png[/img] and clicking 'Apply' will display TinySig as your sig ( III.2).
Now assume that you found an image that you want to use in your signature but don't have the link. Right click on the image and select 'Properties' ( III.3). In the window that pops up, highlight the link and hit Ctrl+C or right-click and select copy ( III.4). (A faster way in Firefox is to select 'Copy Link Location'.) Return to the sig editing area and paste (by either hitting Ctrl+V or right-clicking and selecting Paste) the link into the field ( III.5). After pasting the link, place [img] [/img] around the link ( III.6). Click 'Apply' and preview the sig ( III.7).
Do NOT use this method to steal someone else's work. If you want to use it, ask for permission first. If that person declines, it means not to use it no matter how badly you want to. Try requesting a sig, if possible.
Have your own image that you want to use? You need an image hoster like www.photobucket.com or www.imageshack.us .
Make sure that you use a link that ends in a valid format like .gif, .jpg, .png, etc. The link also shouldn't have = or ? in them.
IV Combining Images and Text
Simply combine the steps described in sections II and III ( IV.1). If you want them on two separate lines, hit enter (Apply isn't triggered by hitting Enter.), click 'Apply', and then preview it ( IV.2).
V Text and Image Linking
Code: [link=http://link][img]image link[/img][/link] a good way to save space is to take a long link and shorten it by linking that to some short text
Find a page that you want to link (http://media.artix.com/encyc/AQ/paebgcgdy/Guides/Sigs/TextSig.png for now) then decide on the text that you'll use (Text Sig). Use the code at the beginning of the section. In the sig editing field, replace "http:// link" with "http://media.artix.com/encyc/AQ/paebgcgdy/Guides/Sigs/TextSig.png" and text with "Text Sig" (without the quotation marks, of course) ( V.1). After that, click 'Apply' and preview it ( V.2).
For an image, use the same code as above but replace "text" with the code for displaying an image: [img]picture link complete with http://[/img] ( III.6). Click 'Apply' and preview it ( V.3 by using this).
Common applications of this include linking a character page to the character's name or an image that somehow relates to the character.
VI Advanced Formatting
Using these codes are excellent changing simple text into something more interesting, but it doesn't mean that they should be overused and used throughout the entire sig without purpose.
I was going to write a section for this, but I saw that Niko already has a great guide about what I would have written.
VII Restrictions
See the complete list at comprehensive forum rules, Section 13.
The maximum size for the entire sig is 500 (length) x100 (height) pixels (six lines if all text). ( VII.1) The maximum file size is now 50KB total. Make sure to check that text and images are both counted when checking the size. Many people often make this mistake, which results in a deleted sig.
[image]http://media.artix.com/encyc/AQ/paebgcgdy/Guides/Sigs/VIIo1.png[/image]
Pixel Stats for Text & Formatting (only height - For width, people need to compare to the graphic above.)
- Default Text: 13px - None of the offered alternate font faces will make it go above 15px. For other fonts, people need to test that themselves.
- Basic formatting like bold, italics, etc. with the default text will also keep it under 15px.
- For font sizes (using the default font)
- 1: 12px
- 2: 16px
- 3: 18px
- 4: 22px
- 5: 29px
- 6: 38px
- 7: 59px
- However, note that there is absurdly little reason to use any font size above three, and the sig is likely to be removed for spammy qualities, if it does. A sig shouldn't draw more attention than a post after all.
Animated sigs cannot be distracting or possibly cause seizures.
Sigs can only be used once per page maximum. Some forums do not allow them at all. Remember to read the forum rules before posting.
Contents should be around what would be rated a toned down PG. PG would be best. If theres ever a doubt about how appropriate something is, don't use it.
All of the board rules apply to sigs. Flaming, spamming, spoilers, and other improper things should not be in the sig.
Linking to other games is not allowed. This includes referral links.
Advertising is not allowed.
Advertising a clan in sigs is prohibited. This includes no "join my clan," "check out my clan," "click the link in my sig," or other similar wordings. Warnings are given to clans with members who advertise the clan. Clans sigs that do not advertise are allowed.
"Viral" signatures are not allowed. This means the sigs that state something similar to "put this in your sig".
Sigs can also be removed if they are found to be distasteful, insulting, etc.
Quote tags are not allowed in signatures as they make your signature wider than the maximum of 500px.
VIII Extra Tips
Again, linking pages to text and images helps save space, since it isn't wasted by a monstrous link.
Simple text can become quite creative through the use of well placed symbols like | (Shift+\, above the Enter key), -, ~, and others. HOWEVER, avoid using "1337" to spare everyone's eyes.
Think about sig ideas and code. Practice applying them to make your sig look the way you want it to (or as close as you can make it).
Having trouble with the sig character limit (255, though it can vary depending on spaces and other things, so keep it around 200)? Try www.tinypic.com (for images) and www.tinyurl.com (for links) to shorten up those links.
Test your sig in the Signature and Avatar Testing pinned thread in The Sigs and Avvy Testing Thread, new link thanks to destructionist.
If your sig is removed, it was likely either offensive, vulgar, or too big. Do not post in the forum complaining about it. Try thinking about what was wrong with it, then work on making a sig that doesn't break the rules.
If someone ever gives you some suggestions, consider them. Don't get overly defensive about it and turn it into a big deal. If someone is insulting your sig without giving any constructive criticism, just ignore them. It isn't worth getting into an argument with that person.
Can't make a sig for yourself or don't want to? Request a sig in one of the threads at Signature and Art Requests. Find a thread that looks interesting, carefully read the first post, make a request, and patiently wait until your request is finished.
Using the entire 500x100 pixel limit does not automatically mean that it's a better sig. Plenty of things can be done in a smaller space. If the sig is smaller than the limit, leave it that way unless you feel like adding more, but make sure that it isn't there just to take up space.
Have a sig that's too big? Try this graphics optimizer linked to by skyboy59.
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