Signature graphics, Image re-sizing Options

[idallia]

The graphics policy for images in your signature states that the maximum total file size should not exceed 75 KB, and dimension should not exceed 520 by 150 pixels. Therefore, while the image below meets the required pixel dimensions, the file size does not.

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If your signature graphic(s) does not conform to the graphics policy, a moderator may send you a PM to inform you, or simply edit your signature to remove the link to your image.
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Below is my attempt to explain in simple terms how to re-size an image. If there's anything missing or inadvertently "glossed over" and needs more detail, please send idallia a PM.

[idallia]

You don't need a program like Photoshop to make a few simple changes to an image so that it will conform to the guidelines set out by the graphics policy.

The examples given in the rest of this thread will be from a freeware program called Irfanview. Images used in the examples below will be from the Fan Creations sub-forum.

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A reminder that if you find an image you like and the artist has given you permission to use their images to please download the image to your computer and upload it to your own image hosting site so that their image hosting bandwidth is not used up! Please also to remember to give credit, where credit is due.
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Disclaimer: I'm not a graphics expert. If I can figure this out, you should be able to as well.

Disclaimer #2: Sorry, I don't know how to work with animated gifs.

[idallia]

The original image was created by heroesuk:

If you right-click on this image, you will see that the height of this image is 224 pixels.

To re-size the image:

1. Right-click the image and choose Save Image As...
2. Browse to a location/folder on your computer. Click on Save.
3. Open up the image in Irfanview.
4. Choose Image, Resize/Resample...
5. If you want to preserve the aspect ratio so that the image is not distorted by the re-sizing, make sure the box for this is ticked. Change the number in the Height box to 150. Click on OK.
6. Click on File, and Save as... to save your image.
7. The image is now ready to be uploaded to your image host.

Below is the difference between "preserve aspect ratio" being on and off.

[idallia]

(The original image (201 KB) by Cassie can be found here. For the purposes of this demo, I've re-saved it with a smaller file size (39 KB).)

You could re-size this image using the method outlined in the above post. Or you can crop the image first. Cropping an image means cutting the image so that the part you really want is kept.

To crop an image:

1. Save the image, and open it in Irfanview.
2. Using your pointer drag and drop a rectangle shape of the area you want to keep.
3. You can make minor adjustments to the shape of the rectangle once you're done dragging it.
4. When you are satisfied with the rectangle's location, choose Edit, and Crop selection.
5. Follow the steps outlined above to re-size the image to the appropriate height.
6. Click on File, Save image as... to save the image.

Below is an example of a straight image re-size, versus a cropped and re-sized image: