Signatures - The How-To Guide

So here you are! You've just made, or ordered, a fancy new signature and you just can't wait to show it off. Only problem is - you don't have a clue how to get it from point A to point B...and you have a sneaking suspicion there's more points inbetween.

I'm here to help! I can take you through the steps to getting your signature from the building blocks to its rightful place - the signature block. Just follow along!

Here are the Steps

Verifying your Image
Uploading to Writing.com
Using the Image

And that's it! Now! *claps hands together* Let's get started!

Verifying your Image

There are a couple steps to go through to make sure your image will even work. Here are the requirements for being on writing.com...

1) Image must be under 1000Kb
         Don't worry so much about this, if the sizing is right with the image, it should be under the Kb requirement.

2) Maximum dimensions are 400 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall.
         This can be a problem if your signature is abnormally long or tall. If you find that your image is too large to be uploaded, it can usually be easily shrunk on a program on your computer. Writing.com will not automatically resize your image for you, so you need to have your own means to do so.
         The signature above is about 250 by 250. This should give you a general idea about whether your image is in the right size vicinity.

3) Image must be in GIF, JPEG, or PNG formats.
         What does this mean? The format of your image can be found when you save it to your computer, it shows at the end of the long mumble jumbo in the name of the image. If it ends in either .gif, .jpg, or .png - you're probably in the clear.
         People can sometimes run into problems if they made their images on a paint shop or program like that where it will only save in a .bmp format. Watch out for that, you might have to find a way to convert it later on.

If your image fits all three of these requirements, you're ready for the next step!

Uploading to Writing.com

So your image fits the requirements and it's ready to be uploaded. But how to do go around doing it? I'll take you through...

1) Save it
         Make sure your image is saved properly to your computer. You won't just be able to 'copy and paste' it to an item. To save it, right click on the item.

2) Create an Image Item
         Go to the very top of your screen on writing.com and click on the "Writing" button - as if you were to make a static or other item.

When that page comes up, scroll down to the "Visual Aids" section. There you will see only one choice. Click on the word "Image" which had the camera next to if. Now you are into the document that can take you places!

**Please Note!** You must have an upgraded account in order to make an image. If you do not have an upgraded account, you will not be able to create your own signature!

3) Filling it Out
         Go through the regular steps of creating an item. Fill in the text boxes. There are a few things to note...

         If your image is rated "E" it will show up on all the pages for all to see. However, if it needs a higher rating, be aware that on "E" rated pages the image will show up as an error. Do not leave your image rating as ---- as it will not show up anywhere!

         Keeping your image "Private" does not mean no one will be able to see it while it is in your signature block. It simply means that no one will be able to see your item. Feel free to keep it as private if you don't want people to waste their time looking at it and rating it.

         Linking your item is always a fun idea to catch a readers attention. However, if you put your number into the box at the very start your image will not linked to the desired place. You must go back and edit your image item to place the number in there so it goes to the desired place. Don't ask me why - that's just how it is

4) Selecting the Image
         You will have to find your image on your computer in order to upload it. In order to do this you have to click on the "Browse..." button. Do not simply type what you titled it into the box - it will not work for you!
         It might take you a bit to locate your image on your computer files. Don't get distressed - when you save it, just remember what folder you placed it in, and hopefully what folder that folder is in.

5) Uploading
         Once you have it all filled out - push save! When it has been saved make sure to open it and take a look. If it's all looking good then congratulations! You have uploaded your image to writing.com!

Using the Image

Once you have it all uploaded it's a snap to use! You just need to know the image's number and the proper writingML.

1) Image Number
         In order to make an image appear, you have to have its image number. The image number the 6 digit number located at the top of the screen, just above the title. Some of you may recognize it as the number you have to use in order to link static items, etc. It's the exact same.

Once you have that number, you're ready for the next step

2) Plug it in, Plug it in
         There is a specfic writingML code that is used for images and displaying them. It's super easy to remember and looks just like this...

** #xxxxxx Not An Image **

To make your image appear, all you have do to is plug your image number in for the 6 x's above, and take out the space. Let me give you a step-by-step example.

- Put a left, curvy bracket (not to be confused with the parenthesis)
- type 'image'
- put a colon
- type in your 6 digit image code
- put a right, curvy braket

So for my image, I would put this...no spaces should be used, one was included just so you could see my example

** #517798 Not An Image **

and that will create your image!

** #517798 Not An Image **

3) Image Placement
         Your images can be placed in many locations! You can permanetely put them in your signature block which is able to be accessed through the "My Account" button toward the top of your screen.
         They are can also be placed in forum headers, static items, and more! Images can easily spice up a poem as a snazzy header. You can do a million and one things - once you know how!

I hope my How-To Guide was able to help you though your signature process! If you have any more questions feel free to ask! I'm always happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

I've seen some signatures that have rotating images - how do I make mine do the same thing?

Simple! If you want to use more than one image all you have to do is place commas between the image numbers - like so -

** #517798 Not An Image **

Refresh the page to see them rotate!

One thing to remember is that in order to have your images rotate, you need to have at least three and less than ten. Otherwise you won't see them rotate And don't forget! Never use spacing in your writingML!

Links for Sigs!

This are some excellent places to go for sigs. If you have others you would like me to add to the list, feel free to drop me an email!

742079

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor

838828

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor

868036

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor