~ Animation ~

I know there have been a ton of changes on AOL and Journals.  I've gotten several comments and emails regarding the animation not staying when the graphics are put in a journal, or how they can't save as a gif file.  I know I've emailed a few folks offering help and I've heard there have been some pretty nasty mails circulating about using graphics incorrectly.   So I thought I'd try and help.  Feel free to ask questions or let me know if you have continued issues, I will be more then happy to help you or at least try.

 

Saving:

 

Some versions of AOL do not give you the option to save as '.gif' when snagging or saving from being embedded in email.  If you do not have the option....

Right click to save.  Select the folder of choice that you want to save it in.  Where the existing file name is type .gif after what is there.  Save as type will need to be all files.  NOTE this ONLY if you DO NOT have the .gif option.  Click save and the file will be animated. 

 

I've gotten mixed results with dealing with AIM users.  Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.  If you are on AIM mail and this option does not work for you ask the person tagging if they will attach.  Taggers have different rules.  I will gladly attach, but you need to note it in your request so I remember.

 

        

 

Adding .gif files to journals

 

I use several services as well as AOL's FTP site to store my graphics to use in my journal.  I found Photobucket is one of the easiest, but others may have different options.  I've stored hundreds and hundreds of graphics under my free account and have not had any issues.  :::knocking on wood:::  To register just go to www.photobucket.com.   Like I said it's free and pretty easy.  Upload your graphics.  What is nice is you can upload several at a time.  There is a size limit of each graphic uploaded so if one file is huge photobucket may resize it.  I've only had this issue with files well over 1 mg.  Most tags or graphics are not this big.   Once your files uploaded you will see a thumbnail of each graphic.  Here there are several ways to get the graphic so you can insert it in your journal.  I am only giving directions on one way as it is pretty easy to do. 

 

Under each thumbnail there are three codes.  Copy the code for URL Link.  Since I write my entry in an empty email (as if I were typing out a letter)  I paste the code there.  This way I can run spell check, save as send later if I can't finish entry etc.  Just my way.  You can do what is easy for you, hopefully keeping the animation as well :) 

 

                                

 

When you are ready to do your entry.  Add entry.  Click on add image.  I have heard it's best to add image before typing if you actually do your entry in the add entry screen, some have said if they had all the typing there and then added image their entry or typing disappeared.  I cannot confirm this but you may want to play and see what happens before getting frustrated. 

 

 

Once you click add image another box appears with three options to the left.  Click on URL and the box changes slightly.

 

 

Once the new box opens it says select picture from the web.  Paste in the URL Link you got from photobucket and click on add image.

 

 

Behind that little screen you should see the image in the entry section of your journal.  Just click on the x in the right corner and presto.  Animated graphic.  You may not see the movement but you will once you close out the box.

 

 

This is in no way an attempt to force feed you to do graphics this way, it is educational only as I know so many have a hard time and get extremely frustrated.  I hope this was helpful to you and again if you still have issues let me know. 

 

Hugs

~d

Tags: animation, gif files, AOL, AOL Journals