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[outshining]

I'm sorry if this is a newbie question, but I can't figure out how with using paint why all pictures I save at 100 x 100.. like lj requires.. seem so small compared to other icons, besides one I found on a google search I think is a nice size, the above icon seems small.. can anyone help? I did try to look at some beginner tutorials but they didn't

Comments

[absolutelybatty]

Well, the icon you are using now is actually 90x100, not 100x100 at all. So it looks small because, compared to icons that are the regulation LJ size of 100x100, it is small.

If you're using the 'Resize and Skew' option in Paint then you might have seen a little check box that says 'Maintain Aspect Ratio' which is, as a default, checked. If you want a very detailed explanation of what aspect ratio is this wikipedia page will get you started.

But the short of it is, aspect ratio keeps your image proportional, and that means as long as you keep that little box checked, you won't be able to force an image into a disproportionate shape. If the width and height of the original image isn't already equal, you can't force it into equal dimensions like 100x100. My guess is the images you grab off Google have dimensions that aren't equal because, well, few images originally do.

(I also turned all of this into graphic form to help illustrate what I mean a bit better: hereYou can, of course, simply uncheck the box, but your resulting image

[outshining]

thank you much for your help :) I will be working on it this weekend so I greatly appreciate any tips :) I am such a newbie at this :D I used to save lj icons but I worry they contain viruses :( cuz of too many laptops/computers crashing.. probably over thinking it I don't know :/

[absolutelybatty]

Well, I'd invest in virus protection if that's something you worry about, and a quick google search will help you with that, if you haven't already done it.

As far as images on LJ giving you viruses, I don't think I've ever had that problem myself. But this isn't really the community for discussing things of that nature.

Good luck!

[outshining]

thanks again!