Making Your Own Picture Frame – The Basics



Make Your Own Custom IMVU Photo Frame or Picture Frame

Copyright 2007-2010, AnakaTarren@

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Introduction

Picture frames are one of the easiest items to make on IMVU! Just add your own central image and use my frame sides! Step-by-step instructions are below.

There are many frame styles and colors to choose from in the AnakaTarren catalog, almost all as simple as the example used in the main tutorial. Almost all new frame styles will automatically load to the wall in your IMVU room (instead of the floor), and specialty frames for rooms without wall nodes are also available.

Assumptions

This tutorial assumes the following:

o You understand the basics about using your PC and how to handle digital image files, including creating/copying/rotating/saving image files and how to find files after you save them.

o You have image editing or graphics software and understand how to rename, crop, rotate, and resize images, if necessary. MS Paint, MS Office Picture Manager (both often bundled with Microsoft products), Photoshop (expensive, powerful, good tutorials), and GIMP (free, powerful, time-consuming to learn) are only a few examples of this type of software.

o You own (or will buy) your IMVU avatar name and are willing to spend some credits to make submissions to the IMVU catalog. At the time of this writing, it generally costs 500 to 1000 credits for each AnakaTarren picture frame catalog submission, including IMVU fees.

o You are comfortable experimenting with new software and have patience. Patience is important when learning new software and creating IMVU products.

Required First Steps

BEFORE you can make a picture in a picture frame for the IMVU catalog for your personal use or to sell, you must:

o Buy (register) your avatar name: .

o Register as a developer (also called content creator):

o Download the latest IMVU Previewer Software:

o Understand how to RATE your picture: . [Note: You must also own an Access Pass () if you want to create items that items are rated AP.]

Complete the steps above before continuing.

Note: If you find an error in the steps below or have a suggestion for clarification, please send a message to AnakaTarren@.

Prepare your photograph or picture for loading into a frame!

1. Make and work with a COPY of your chosen photo or image so the original is not corrupted!

2. Modify the picture if necessary so it will load properly into the Previewer. The actual size and shape of the photo to be loaded may vary based on the item from which you are deriving.

a. For this Photo Frame example, use a digital picture or image that is no larger than 512x342 or other 3x2 ratio. It must have a width that is 1-1/2 times as long as the height of the picture. This is the shape of a standard 4”x6” photograph.

b. The desired central image MUST be placed in “landscape” position (long side on the bottom) to correctly load into the Previewer for this picture frame. If necessary, use the “rotate” function in your image editing software to move your picture into landscape position. (Your final picture frame can be used in either vertical or horizontal position in your IMVU room after its creation.)

c. Your picture must be saved in a JPG, PNG, TGA, or BMP file format. (I prefer PNG for quality and size reasons.)

3. Do not use copyrighted or trademarked pictures unless you are the creator, own commercial reproduction rights, or have written permission from the copyright/trademark owner! Otherwise your picture may be removed by IMVU and your account disabled.

Deriving:

Select an item from the catalog you wish to “derive from,” in this case a photo frame. When you “derive,” the 3D shape and textures (colors and images) are downloaded into the Previewer for you to modify.

4. To make a picture frame, go to the product page of a derivable frame and select “Derive from Product.”

For this tutorial, go to AnakaTarren Derivable Frame, 3x2. This frame is designed to hold the shape of a 4”x6” digital photograph or picture.

Bookmark the link above since it has extensive links to other AnakaTarren picture frame styles and developer information!

5. Scroll near the bottom of the product page and click on the “Derive from Product” link, shown circled in red below. This will launch the Previewer and begin loading of the product.

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6. If the Previewer asks if you want to download files after you derive from a product, click YES and then Download Product Files. This makes sure the necessary files to develop the selected product are available on your PC.

7. A small window will tell you that this “asset” has been “signed” to your account. Click OK. This tracking mechanism protects you and other developers on IMVU.

8. When Previewer loads, you will see two different Previewer windows. You will regularly use to create your own IMVU products.

a. The “3D Window” shows a room loaded with the downloaded item you derived. (The PhotoFrame will be displayed initially on the floor, but that is not a problem since you can move it at anytime for a better look. This will be discussed later.)

b. The “Previewer Control Panel” is where you will enter commands to load “textures” or “materials,” in this case your photograph or picture.

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9. Make your picture frame in the Previewer Control Panel.

a. Load your new picture or photo into Previewer

i. In the Materials Tab, there is a column of material names labeled “M00” to “M03”. Highlight M01 (indicated by red arrow below) so its information appears.

ii. Click on the “Change Texture” button (also indicated by a red arrow). Select and load a new image from your PC for the selected material number. As shown below, the new image will appear in the small box next to the “Change Texture” button.

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b. Handle the Picture Frame and Back, if necessary

i. M03 contains the frame texture. You do not need to change this on AnakaTarren frames (only) if you wish to use the same frame. (Always check for copyright restrictions for existing textures when deriving from developers. All AnakaTarren derivable textures can be used in your derivations without written permission unless otherwise noted.)

ii. M00 contains the back of the picture frame and is currently set to be transparent to avoid blocking room views. You do not need to take any action with this material.

c. Apply your changes

i. Press the big black “Apply Changes” button in the top left corner of the Previewer Control Panel (see above image). Your new image will now appear in the picture frame the 3D Window. A message may appear in red saying that IMVU has resized your image, but that can be ignored.

d. Check your work

i. Check the product in the 3D Window (see below) to make sure it is acceptable. Make adjustments in textures and fix problems BEFORE you submit it to the catalog if possible since it is slower to fix problems after submission.

ii. Use the furniture commands to move the item to the wall so you can get a good view of your new product. To access the furniture commands, click on the hammer in the bottom left corner of the 3D window (this turns the bottom bar red), then click on the picture frame and drag it to the wall. Click the hammer again to turn off the furniture menu.

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iii. This is a good time to make a catalog icon of your product (required for product submission to the catalog). It must be EXACTLY 100 pixels wide by 80 pixels high and in JPG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file format. This is most easily done by taking a screenshot and editing it in your graphics software.

e. SAVE your work

i. In the Previewer Control Window, click on “File” at the top of the window (above the “Apply Changes” button) and choose “Save As”. Give the file any name you wish, but it must be saved in CFL format (the default). When your item is submitted to the catalog later, IMVU will automatically give that version a numeric file name.

ii. I prefer to save my CFL files in a separate folder I’ve created for CFLs on my computer. Do NOT to save them in the default C:\Program Files\ImvuTools (or ImvuTools2) directory since those files may be deleted with the next Previewer upgrade!

10. Submitting your product

a. Click on the “Submit Product to IMVU Catalog” button on the Previewer Control Panel in order to add your product to IMVU. (See picture below.)

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b. You must enter information in multiple fields in IMVU order to submit a product. Many of these fields are required.

i. Location – This is the category/subcategory where your product will be placed in the catalog and will normally default to the category of the parent product. For the example Photo Frame, it should default to “Furniture – Picture Frames.”

ii. Product Name

iii. Description – Provide a fair description of what you have made, especially if you plan to sell it.

iv. Product rating – see the link in the first section of this tutorial

v. Product price – required even if you don’t plan to sell it. This must be set at or above the breakeven price.

vi. A catalog image (icon) for your new product. This must be EXACTLY 100x80 pixels and in JPG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file format. This image should be a good representation of the product you have made. Avoid using spaces and non-alphanumeric characters in the icon filename since these sometimes cause problems.

vii. CLF file name – Click on the Browse button, find the CFL file for your new product on your computer, and load it into the box shown below.

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viii. Compatibility – Not required for Photo Frames. However if you are making clothes or accessories, this describes whether the item works with males and/or females.

ix. Derivability – Check this box if you want others to make derivations (copies) of your work in their name. If their copies sell, you may earn credits from them as well. Almost all AnakaTarren products may be set to Derivable in your derivations (but not all developers allow this).

x. Keywords – Not required but very useful if you wish to sell your item. Enter words commonly used for your item (like “birds”) so others can find your item using the catalog search.

xi. Visibility. Check this box if you want your item visible in the catalog. If you want your product HIDDEN in the catalog from everyone except you, uncheck this box. You can use the item in IMVU even if it is hidden from others.

xii. Fill out any other boxes required. Since IMVU constantly upgrades their software, this may change in the future.

c. Verify the costs before hitting the Submit button! The exact costs of your derivation and submission are shown at on the submission page and will be automatically deducted from your account. AnakaTarren picture frames are affordable, but some derivable items by others are VERY expensive.

d. Press the Submit button. Your product has now been submitted to the catalog so you can see it on IMVU (but others can’t yet).

i. If you made a Photo Frame, it should appear in your client Inventory under “Rooms and Furniture”, “Furniture” within a few minutes. If it does not appear immediately, see the Section “Refresh your IMVU Client Inventory” below.

ii. Resubmissions are free (though sometimes slow) so you can fix problems discovered with the product later.

11. Refresh your IMVU Client Inventory

a. Press the “Refresh” button (see below) and add the item to a 3D room to see your new item. (If you create clothing, the clothing Refresh button will also appear in other 3D windows.)

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Your Photo Frame will appear in the “Furniture” section of your client inventory. Click on the Chair image (highlighted in gold as shown below) to see inventory furniture items in your 3D room window.

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b. If IMVU’s servers are running slowly, you may have to wait several minutes before your new item appears. Press “Refresh” again if necessary.

12. PUBLISH your product after you have checked all of the web page product information and in the 3D client.

Congratulations! Your Product will be visible for use with others after it passes Peer Review!

o Your item will NOT be visible for use with others or for purchase until it has been published AND your item passes Peer Review. For more information on Peer Review, see my homepage.

o In Peer Review, your item will be checked by other IMVU users for appropriate rating and information. Your item must pass Peer Review before it will appear in the catalog. Even if your item passes Peer Review, YOU are still responsible for proper rating, may have your item removed, may have to refund credits to other users, or may be disabled or penalized in other ways by IMVU if it is improperly rated!

o For more information on Peer Review, see AnakaTarren's Peer Review Survival Guide (updated 7/2/10) on my IMVU homepage.

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION

EZ Textures – EASY ways to change the frame on your picture!

a. New Developers can use AnakaTarren’s EZ Textures, available with the derivable used in this tutorial and of my other picture frames. Instructions for EZ Textures are in the “Information for Developers” section here: .

b. Or, if you know how to use layers in graphic editing software and just have trouble with shadows, use my transparent “PNG Shadow and Trim Templates” to overlay ANY noncopyrighted texture of your choice in a 128x512 size to create your own custom frame sides (see same link and section as above).

c. Or, derive from any of AnakaTarren’s other frame colors and styles (see Section “Other AnakaTarren Picture Frame Styles”).

Other AnakaTarren Derivable Picture Frame Styles – Click on the buttons below for more derivable frame styles.

Frame Shapes

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Frame Features

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Frame Textures and Colors

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For ALL AnakaTarren paintings and pictures, including non-derivables, click below:

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For ALL of AnakaTarren unique Derivables (including beverages, cakes, and other items), click here.

For my entire IMVU catalog, click here.

Editing your product information after submission

You can edit any of the catalog information for your product by clicking on “Edit Settings” in the creator tools section near the bottom of your product information page.

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Other helpful links on the same line as “Edit Settings” (see picture above).

o IMVU’s numeric CFL name for your product. The first number in RED on that line is IMVU’s name for your CFL. If you resubmit the product from Previewer, you must enter that number as part of the update process. In this example it would be 5137047 as shown above in large red font.

o Developer Reports. Sales reports and other information about your item are available by using this link.

o Product Visible. You can quickly change the item from visible to hidden (or back) by clicking on the red or green circles at the end of the row. Green means the item will be visible in the catalog for others to see or buy; red means it is not visible to others in the catalog.

“Create” link -- Clicking on the “Create” link (near the top of most IMVU web pages) will take you to other helpful information and tutorials.

For more information or if you have questions, click on the “Forums” link (at the top of bottom of most IMVU pages) and select the “Content Creator Program.” You will meet lots of other new as well as experienced developers there.

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