General FAQCreating and Uploading IconsAvatar QuestionsWallpaper QuestionsProfilesGeneral FAQQ: How do I install an icon from Iconator in AIM?
A: Please see our step-by-step tutorial.Q: When I try to download an icon I see "You have clicked on an AIM hyperlink that your client does not support".
A: You are using an old version of AIM Triton. Upgrade to the newest version or see our tutorial for step-by-step instructions. Q: Is Iconator.com Free?
A: Yep! Iconator is and always will be free. Q: I forgot my username and/or password!
A: If you forgot your username and/or password, you can retrieve them by entering the email you used to create the account on the Lost Password page. Q: When will my request be fulfilled?
A: Please remember that volunteers make all icons on Iconator. Since so many people request icons, it is not possible for our volunteers to create every icon that is requested. Most requests are filled within two weeks. Q: What is the Iconator code-of-conduct?
A: The Iconator code-of-conduct includes the following: - You are not allowed to try to get around the profanity censor.
- You will not put anything in your profile that insults people or icons.
- Posting derogatory or insulting comments is absolutely not allowed.
- Do not get into fights or call other users names.
- Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Any violation of this code of conduct may result in a ban from the site.Q: How does reporting icons work?
A: If you find an icon that is defective, offensive, copied from you or another website, or otherwise shouldn't be on the site, use the reporting feature to let us know. At the bottom of the details page for every icon is a "report icon" link. Just fill out a short form and our computer algorithms will examine your report and take appropriate action. Q: Is reporting icons anonymous?
A: Yes, no one will know what icons you have reported. Q: What happens if my icon is removed using the reporting tool?
A: You can check the status of your icons in the "My Icons" section. If your icon has been flagged by the moderators, there will be a link next to the icon to allow you to write back and let us know if a mistake was made. Q: I've left enough comments or uploaded enough icons or away messages to become a moderator, but it won't let me moderate. Why not?
A: It takes 24 hours for our system to catch up with your new posts or icons. Please come back tomorrow and you'll be able to moderate. Q: Help! I can't logout.
A: Sometimes the cookies for Iconator get stuck. We're working on a fix, but in the meantime you can either close your web-browser and open it again or delete all your cookies. Q: It says too many people are using Iconator. You need to fix your website!
A: We apologize for the inconvenience. Our site has become so popular we simply can't keep up with the demand. Please have patience and try again in a few minutes. We're working hard on fixing the problem and hopefully it will be under control soon. Q: Help! I can't download icons.
A: Please see our tutorial for detailed instructions. Q: How do I add Iconator to my Google Toolbar?
A: Click here to add Iconator to your Google toolbar. This will let you search Iconator with unprecidented ease! Q: How do I add Iconator to my Google homepage?
A: Click here to install Iconator on your Google homepage. Q: What should I do if someone steals one of my icons?
A: Please use the reporting tool to send a report. This is the fastest and most effective way to have copied icons removed and it will work a lot better than leaving the message "Stolen" in an icon's comments. Q: I can't use the "Use It" link on away messages.
A: You must have AIM 5.9 installed and running for the "Use It" links to work. At this time, you need to manually install away messages in AIM Triton. Q: What are tags?
A: Tags are words or phrases that describe your icon. For example: school greenday computergames love blink182 americaneagle losangeles. Notice how if there is a two or more word phrase that there are no spaces between each word. You can edit the tags for your icons by going to the "My Icons" section. Each icon can have at most 8 tags. When creating or editing tags, separate each tag with a space. Q: You didn't answer my question. :-(
A: Send us your question using our comment form and we'll try to help you as soon as possible. Creating and Uploading IconsQ: How do I make an icon?
A: There are quite a few different ways to create icons. You need to use photo-editing software such as Paint or Photoshop. There is a great imaging program at www.getpaint.net/download.html that you can download for free.
After you have some images, you can use our Iconator Animator to create a custom animated buddy icon or the Iconator Resizulator to change the size of your images. Once you're happy with your icon, you can login to Iconator and click “Upload Icons/Avatars/Wallpapers” at the top of the page to submit it to the site.Q: What are the icon requirements?
A: They are as follows:
- Icons can only be 50x50 pixels and 7,000 bytes in size or smaller due to restrictions in AIM. Icons should be 48x48 for best results.
- You must have created the icon--icons created by other people, icons from online icon generators, or icons from other websites are not allowed.
- Offensive or obscene icons, premade icons (customized icons from other websites), icons mentioning dates or multiple people (such as "John and Mary, 12-2-86"), duplicate icons, icons containing advertisements (such as "Made at DollWizard.com"), and defective or incomplete will not be accepted.
Q: The Resizulator doesn't work!
A: A lot of people have been having image loading problems with the Resizulator. Instead of the resized/cropped image it shows up instead as a red X. We are aware of this problem and are trying to figure out a way to fix it. The good news is that this error is sporadic so if you just keep trying to resize your image, it will eventually work. It might just take a few tries, though. We realize that this is annoying but we ARE working on a fix! Thank you for your patience. Q: How do I add words and decorations to my icons?
A: You have to add words and decorations (hearts, swirls, glitter, etc) to your icons before you upload them to the site. You need to use photo-editing software such as Paint or Photoshop to do this. Q: How do you make an icon that is animated with moving objects, letters, glitter, etc?
A: The first thing you need to do to make an animation is make several different versions of the icon that you want animated. Each image must be slightly different from the next. It's the same way as making a cartoon. You need to make all of the images before you use the Iconator Animator.
For example, lets say you want an icon to have the word LOVE on it and you want it to animate so that each letter of the word highlights in pink. You'll need to have four images of the same icon (one for each letter). On the first image you'll want to have just the letter "L" in pink. Then on the second image you want just the letter "O" pink, repeat this process until you have done this for each letter.
Now it's just a matter of using the Iconator Animator to put all these images in the right order so that they look like they are moving! You use this concept for any kind of icon that moves including flashing letters, moving hearts, pixel fireworks, and glitter. Q: What is a premade icon and why aren't they allowed on Iconator?
A: A premade icon is an icon that was creating using an icon generator on another website. You pick an image from the website, write some text, pick an animation option and a custom icon is instantly made.
We do not allow these icons to be uploaded to Iconator because it is easy for someone to create their own--all one needs to do is go to an icon generator website and make an identical icon. Since it is so easy to create a premade, there's no reason to add them to Iconator. If you make an icon using a program like Adobe Photoshop or Jasc PaintShopPro, you can upload it to Iconator. Q: I'm trying to upload an icon and it says "We're sorry, this icon is already on our website", but I can't find the icon anywhere.
A: Someone else has either uploaded the icon you are submitting or you have previously uploaded the icon. It takes up to two days for new icons to be added to the site, so if you recently uploaded the icon, please wait a few days. However, we are unable to add all icons submitted to Iconator to the website. You can check the status of your icon by going to the "My Icons" page. Q: I keep trying to upload an icon but I get an error, something about extensions.
A: If you get "File Extension not permitted," then that means you were trying to upload an image that was not in .jpg or .gif form. This often happens when you create an image in Paint and save it with a .bmp extension. You convert images to JPEG or GIF extensions in Paint or other programs like PaintShopPro or Photoshop. Q: I uploaded an icon and it said it uploaded successfully so why doesn't show up under ''My Icons?''
A: It might take a few minutes for your icons to appear under "My Icons." If it's been more than 10 minutes and it still does not show up then you should try uploading it again. Q: Someone else uploaded an icon that I created to Iconator. I want it removed immediately!
A: Please use the contact us form to send an email. Include the IconID of the icon (at the end of the URL when you view the icon) and the website your icon is on or an explanation of the icon so we can verify that you created it. We will promptly remove the icon once we receive the request. Q: How do I edit the title or description of my icons?
A: Click on the "My Icons" section in the My Account menu. Next to each icon that is live on the site, you will see an edit link. You can only edit the title and description if the icon is not in moderation or flagged by the moderators. The changes will take up to 4 hours to appear on the site. Q: How do icons get nominated for icon of the day?
A: On all icon pages, you’ll see a link that says “Nominate for Icon of the Day.” Each day, you can nominate one artwork of each type (icon, avatar, wallpaper). The art with the most votes in each category at the end of the day will be selected at midnight. Avatar QuestionsQ: What are avatars?
A: Avatars are images, similar to buddy icons, that are used to represent yourself during online chatting and on websites. Avatars are used with MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, and Google Talk. Avatars are also used on websites like MySpace, Xanga, LiveJournal, and many other chat forums and communities.
Avatars are 96x96 pixels or 100x100 pixels in dimension and are 50 KB or less. They can be animated; however, the animation will not play in many instant messaging clients, though it will work normally on websites.Q: How do I install avatars in Yahoo Messenger?
A: Read our tutorial for a walkthrough of installing display images in Yahoo Messenger. Q: How do I install avatars in MSN Messenger?
A: Read our tutorial for a walkthrough of installing display pictures in MSN Messenger. Q: How do I install avatars in Google Talk?
A: Read our tutorial for a walkthrough of installing avatars in Google Talk. Q: How do I install avatars in Skype?
A: Visit the Skype help website for information on installing pictures. Q: How do I use avatars with Xanga?
A: First save the avatar to your computer by clicking on "Click here to download this avatar". Then follow Xanga's Profile Picture instructions. Q: How do I use avatars with LiveJournal?
A: First save the avatar to your computer by clicking on "Click here to download this avatar". Then follow LiveJournal's Userpic instructions. Q: Can I use avatars with AIM?
A: Unfortunately, avatars are not compatible with AIM. However, you can use the Iconator Animator or Iconator Resizulator to convert an avatar into a size compatible with AIM. Simply set the output size to 48x48.
We are working on a tool to automatically convert avatars to buddy icons, which will hopefully be available soon. Q: How do I install avatars on MySpace?
A: Read our tutorial for a walkthrough of installing avatars / pictures on MySpace.
Wallpaper QuestionsQ: What are wallpapers for and how do you use them?
A: Wallpapers are meant for use on cell phones. At the moment, the only way to get the wallpapers on to your phone is to access the image directly from your phone using its web-browser or by emailing the image to your phone as an attachment.Not all phones are equipped to do this so you’ll have to check the paper-work that came with your phone to see if it is possible with your phone.
You can also call your phone provider and ask if web-browsing is possible on your phone. We are working on a way to make this MUCH easier but for now this is the only way to get Wallpapers onto your cell phone.ProfilesQ: How do you make changes to your profile?
A: Click “Edit Profile” at the top of the page. To change fonts and colors you'll need to use HTML coding. You can look for help on Google.com or you can try replying in the profiles of users whose profiles you like. They might be able to help you with yours.Q: How do I view my profile?
A: Click "Edit Profile" at the top right of the page. Scroll down past your "Stats" on that page and you'll see a link that says "View your profile as other people see it." That is the link that will show your profile as others see it. |
