"How do I create an avatar using PS Elements?"

Okay, here you go.

Step 1, Open the image.
Step 2.  Go to Image size (as I recall its under file)
step 3: (make sure the contrain porportions is clicked on) and change the sizes.  you will want about 120 pixel max size.  Some are even smaller.  You should also set it to 72 dpi, if it is not already.
Step 4. Save As, and save it as a new file name, as a JPG  (you will also want to save it at about level 5 or so image quality as it will only be viewed online.


Note if you need to crop the image so you only have a portion of the picture, you will want to do that before step 2.  To do that you will need the crop tool and will draw a box around what you want to keep.

I suggest the books by Scott Kelby.  Its what I tell the people when I do a workshop to consider as they are written for non computer geeks, and are easy to understand and done in step by step processes.

Hope this helps.  Have a great one.

He included images which will guide you if you will visit his site:

1) First open Photoshop.
2) Now create a new file with a white background and 80 x 80 pixels.
3) Now create a new layer by pressing Shift+Ctrl+Alt+N.
4) Change your foreground color to black.
5) Now go download the Ultimate Web 2.0 Gradient pack, It contains over 130 pre-made gradients ready to use. download here:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EPUVYHHB
6) Extract it and drag the pack anywhere into Photoshop.
7) You now have the new Gradients.
8) Now Right click on the New layer now filled with black, and go to blending options.
9) Go down to Gradient Display. I chose one of the blue gradients. You may choose which ever one you like
10) When you click OK your image should look like this or to whatever color gradient you chose.
11) Now create another new layer.
12) Go to the Ellipse Tool
13) Draw a oval on the image like this
14) You should end up with your image looking like this: (image is found on the webpage)
15) Go to the layer and change the opacity to 20%
16) Your image should now look similar to this:
17)Now go to the black square layer and go to blending options.
18) Now we are going to add a stroke or a border. Change the color to #545454 which is grey. Make the settings like this:
19) Press OK and your image should look like this:
19) Now the image is done and you can add your own text or logo. You can also go to the black square press blending options and change the gradient colors.
There are some examples you can find on the webpage.

***and to your question as to how to reduce photo size: go to this link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6383_shrink-picture-with.html

How to Shrink a Picture With Photoshop
By eHow Internet Editor

Smaller versions of pictures are useful when creating a Web page. You can shrink a photo to a more manageable size using Photoshop.

Step1
Start Photoshop. From the File menu, select Open.

Step2
Locate the file you want to shrink and click Open.

Step3
From the Image menu, select Image Size. A dialog box opens.

Step4
Select Percent from the drop-down box next to Width. Type the percentage you want to decrease the picture by in the Width box. The Height box will automatically change.

Step5
If the results are not what you anticipated, open the Edit menu and choose Undo to return the image to its original size.

Step6
Save your photo when finished by clicking File and selecting Save or Save As.

** I hope this one info will help you.

What's an avatar?
An avatar (also known as an AV or an avvie) is how someone on the Internet visually portrays themselves. This may include a 3-D model for computer games, a 2-D icons on forums and other similar sites, or text constructs from older systems. An avatar may even include the personality associated with an Internet screen name.


Adobe Photoshop Elements 6
Price: $62.95
List Price: $99.99
Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-On-One
Price: $22.99
List Price: $49.99

What it entails
1. Find an image that represents you.

This can depend on the context... maybe an image symbolizing you in DeviantArt is different than one for AIM.

It's got to be able to be seen when small. A lot of avatars must be only so many pixels tall and wide. Make sure you can pack a punch with what space you can fill.

2. Crop if necessary.

Usually you'll have to crop that baby. Just use a program like Photoshop or another image editing program.

With Photoshop you have to make sure you crop the area you want (the whole thing or only a portion of an image) into a perfect square. That could mean using the Crop tool or making a square with the shape tool and cropping around that (which is more work but then you can get a perfect square by using the SHIFT key to keep the lines to shape). Then go up to Image -> Resize.

An even easier way is starting with a blank document; then you can make it any size you want. Copy and paste the image into that so that you don't have to mess with the Crop tool. But make sure you shrink the original image before you copy and paste or else you'll end up with a blur that's a portion of the image after pasting.

3. Save.

4. Upload.


Photo from Ultima (members.chello.at/.../games/ultima.htm)


In computer games
The word "avatar" meaning a digital representation of someone began as early as 1985, when it was used as the character name in the Ultima computer game series. Becoming the "avatar" was the goal of the fourth game in the series. In subsequent games, the player was the avatar and the "avatar" was his or her screen character, which could be personalized. The term was later used in the late 80's games Shadowrun and Habitat. ater games assumed that you were the avatar and "avatar" was the player's visual on-screen in-game persona. The on-screen representation could be customized in appearance. Later, the term "avatar" was used by the designers of the role-playing game Shadowrun (1989), as well as in the online role-playing game Habitat (1987).



Photo from saka.syste.ms/gallery.html On Internet forums
No one really knows when avatars were first used in Internet forums, where they serve as representations of a user, his or her status and actions. Traditionally, avatars in forums are smaller and square for consistency, and near the heading of posts and profiles. Sometimes users can choose from available avatars or upload one of their own design. In some avatar systems, users can customize an avatar that is a human- or animal-like figure.


In instant messaging programs
AOL Instant