Been trying to figure this out for quite a while...

[Tim]

Animated GIF. It's not a video, it's an animated image file. Should work in most any browser.





Here's how I did it (Apple/Mac OS X)

1. Use iMovie to trim a video down to about 1s (so the GIF file won't end up too big)
2. Use the Share -> Export Using Quicktime Movie option, save as .MOV file. Set size to 160x100 before you save
3. Open GifBuilder 1.0 (Freeware)
4. File -> Open -> (.MOV file created previously)
5. Save as B&W (Options -> Colors -> Gray Shades) or leave as color. B&W is sharper. If color, Options -> Dithering must be checked!
6. Upload to some web site, such as an image sharing site (You can't upload it directly into your avatar, it'll turn it into a static image)
7. Edit your Avatar (User CP -> Edit Avatar)
8. Use the "Option 1 - Enter the URL to the Image on Another Website" option and set the URL to the website URL where you uploaded.

[TJ_MaTee]

Extremely Cool Tim! I would never be able to figure it out though. My 13 yr. old could help me do it I'll bet. Dig the combo you're using!

[novaspeedbagger]

How about for a PC user?

Animated GIF. It's not a video, it's an animated image file. Should work in most any browser.





Here's how I did it (Apple/Mac OS X)

1. Use iMovie to trim a video down to about 1s (so the GIF file won't end up too big)
2. Use the Share -> Export Using Quicktime Movie option, save as .MOV file. Set size to 160x100 before you save
3. Open GifBuilder 1.0 (Freeware)
4. File -> Open -> (.MOV file created previously)
5. Save as B&W (Options -> Colors -> Gray Shades) or leave as color. B&W is sharper.
6. Upload to some web site, such as an image sharing site (You can't upload it directly into your avatar, it'll turn it into a static image)
7. Edit your Avatar (User CP -> Edit Avatar)
8. Use the "Option 1 - Enter the URL to the Image on Another Website" option and set the URL to the website URL where you uploaded.

Great Avitar Tim!!! I've been fumbling around with creating one for my profile but I'm a PC user. Is it possible for PC users to create one of those. Any help would be appreciated. I am about to Fist Roll my PC right off the table! lol

[Tim]

Great Avitar Tim!!! I've been fumbling around with creating one for my profile but I'm a PC user. Is it possible for PC users to create one of those. Any help would be appreciated. I am about to Fist Roll my PC right off the table! lol

I'll put some PC compatible steps together when I get a chance. I'll have to set aside a few minutes to do that at work.

[Speedbag]

Great Avitar Tim!!! I've been fumbling around with creating one for my profile but I'm a PC user. Is it possible for PC users to create one of those. Any help would be appreciated. I am about to Fist Roll my PC right off the table! lol

I know something about that, editing the book exercises in front of a computer, air punching for hours.

There is a lot of information available about freeware .gif animation. It is not hard but usually involves still pictures played individually very fast.

How to make .gif animations

.Gif animation software info, reviews

hope it helps.

I purchased Ulead Gif animator a few years ago when I was planning my website, with the intention of having a lot of gif demo's of techniques and combinations. However I notice on several websites with lots of gifs it quickly got very annoying with the non-stop constant motion. That includes several forums (martial arts and boxing) with lots of gif also. Each one individually is unique and fascinating, however put 10 or so on a page at the same time and it becomes annoying. Just my opinion.

[Tim]

However I notice on several websites with lots of gifs it quickly got very annoying with the non-stop constant motion....
That includes several forums (martial arts and boxing) with lots of gif also. Each one individually is unique and fascinating, however put 10 or so on a page at the same time and it becomes annoying. Just my opinion.

Geez Alan, where do you come up with this stuff? I have no clue what you are talking about ...



:P :P :P (kidding of course)

Ok, I'll admit it can get old pretty quick. But I think there might be some value in it, let's give it a shot and maybe we can take a vote if it gets out of hand. My thinking is this is the best use of animated gifs ever. You just can't capture the essence of the speed bag in a static image. It's a relatively light-weight method to show off your latest and greatest moves or accomplishments. I see it as something that sparks greater collaboration - "oh wow, never realized that's what you do there, how do you do that?" - etc. It's hard sometimes to pick out those moves in a 40 sec or 1 min video clip, this is so much more "in line" with the content of the web site, it just seems like it has some merit related directly to helping people get better.

I've seen a few used for comedic effect on other forums, and typically weren't germane to the subject at hand (usually not family friendly either), but I think an animated gif of speed bag striking or something related should be OK on a speed bag site. If this were a forum on some other topic where motion and timing wasn't a key aspect I'd say it was too irrelevant.

Let's give it a brief test run and if it doesn't add some "value" we'll take them off the menu. Even if the avatar image is a bit too over the top and distracting, I think they work great as the person's profile picture (profile page).

[Speedbag]

Geez Alan, where do you come up with this stuff? I have no clue what you are talking about ...



:P :P :P (kidding of course)

Ok, I'll admit it can get old pretty quick. But I think there might be some value in it, let's give it a shot and maybe we can take a vote if it gets out of hand. My thinking is this is the best use of animated gifs ever. You just can't capture the essence of the speed bag in a static image. It's a relatively light-weight method to show off your latest and greatest moves or accomplishments. I see it as something that sparks greater collaboration - "oh wow, never realized that's what you do there, how do you do that?" - etc. It's hard sometimes to pick out those moves in a 40 sec or 1 min video clip, this is so much more "in line" with the content of the web site, it just seems like it has some merit related directly to helping people get better.

I've seen a few used for comedic effect on other forums, and typically weren't germane to the subject at hand (usually not family friendly either), but I think an animated gif of speed bag striking or something related should be OK on a speed bag site. If this were a forum on some other topic where motion and timing wasn't a key aspect I'd say it was too irrelevant.

Let's give it a brief test run and if it doesn't add some "value" we'll take them off the menu. Even if the avatar image is a bit too over the top and distracting, I think they work great as the person's profile picture (profile page).

It is not a biggie to me either way. Your combo is amazing as is some of Skunk's unreal mixes. People need to express their personality and it can be fun. In fact, since I can't really do your combo as well, I'll just edit your gif and put my face in it. Nothing a little photoshop can't fix!

[novaspeedbagger]

Thanks Tim!

[Roc Stone]

'dang. Looks like a vid to me.

dang

Nice work Timbo.

[Mrs Mitts]

Tim I love your moving avatar! It's a great way to isolate an amazing complex move like you've got there. And, slowed down enough - it's a great way to observe and learn a move. I must tell you though, I'm damned well gonna pull this one off myself one day, watch out!

[Tim]

In fact, since I can't really do your combo as well,

I'm sure you could if you tried, it's not that hard.

'dang. Looks like a vid to me.
Nice work Timbo.

Thanks Roc, always good to hear from you.

Tim I love your moving avatar! It's a great way to isolate an amazing complex move like you've got there. And, slowed down enough - it's a great way to observe and learn a move.

Thanks! It unintentionally turned our slowed down, but that does make it more helpful!

I must tell you though, I'm damned well gonna pull this one off myself one day, watch out!

I have absolutely no doubt that you will Mrs Mitts. It's all a matter of determining you want to do it and then practice, practice, practice. It should be not a far stretch from some of the stuff you are doing now.

[PIEFURZ]

Tim, I thought you finally pulled off a long video without any mis hits to edit out. Computer skills, video skills, baggin skills, you got it all!!! Plus an all around nice guy.

[Speedbag]

I'm sure you could if you tried, it's not that hard.

Liar, Liar, Bags on fire. I have tried it. Several times. The Downward fist to Straight Punch on one rebound is killer. Very unnatural (to me), but you make it look easy.

[MsDeville]

...I notice on several websites with lots of gifs it quickly got very annoying with the non-stop constant motion. That includes several forums (martial arts and boxing) with lots of gif also. Each one individually is unique and fascinating,
however put 10 or so on a page at the same time and it becomes annoying. Just my opinion.

Geez Alan, where do you come up with this stuff?
I have no clue what you are talking about ...

I was reading this Thread and I got to Alan's comment... then I scrolled the page up and I about fell off my chair laughing, Tim!

Love your sense of humor! I like the new motion avatar. It's pretty cool. Although I can see where it might get distracting if every member had one. That won't deter me from experimenting though... And, I too, have no doubt that Mrs. Mitts will have that punch down pat in no time!

[PIEFURZ]

Would be cool to have a gif gallery of one of everyone's greatest hits. Post a caution for those who have epileptic seizures.