She was having trouble editing the graphics she wanted to use in Brad Carroll's ActiveRain Custom Blog Builder. So I asked her to send me the graphics she was trying to use. As I guessed, they were not in the correct proportions and needed some work.
Well, since I don't make a living customizing blog graphics, I decided to kill two birds with one stone.
I decided to edit Jeannette's graphics for her using online tools anyone could access and record my actions so that others could do it themselves. Since Jeanette was not the first person to ask for my help, making this video is a way of saving me from having to say, "I'd really love to help, but..." :)
If you're reading this on the post date, then you'll see the final result right here as the skin for this blog.
Jeannette's images were much smaller than they needed to be. This is why there are some of the quality issues in both the background graphic and the header image, but they created an acceptable customization in my opinion. For thoe of you coming around later, you may be able to see these exact results on Jeannette's blog, but my guess is that she'll probably want to play with this a bit and make it even better than it is now. So, the graphic above is an illustration of the what the final product looked like.
If you want to learn how to customize graphics yourself, here's the video.
EDIT: The specs for headers have changed since the recording of this today. Instead of 125 pixels high, the header must now be only 115 pixels high. Also, the entire portion of the video about using Flickr is now unecessary, since Brad has made it possible to upload the graphics instead of requiring that you provide a link. The photo editing tips in the video are still valid, as long as you use the new height for the header graphic.
117 Comments on Editing Images For Your Customized ActiveRain Blog
APR
10
2008
great web site ! thats an awesome source! Man I tell you what.. its such a coincidence because I was just having a heck of a time editing a picture. Im a mac Enthusiast too btw!
I never did get my logo, which I edited in Photoshop, using the provided template, to upload. And then the system went down, last night. I'm too frustrated to mess with it tonight. I want to RELAX! *sigh* Maybe tomorrow...
Jeff, you've got a lot of bling here!!! Awesome job.. I am glad you posted this. Btw, you got me doing the Twitter thing now. Gotta go and read some more of your posts.
Jeff, great tutorial with picnik and Flickr. It does seem that the banner and backgrounds still make your blog load a lot slower though, but then maybe that's Active Rain.
Jeff, what a great way to teach about this tool. I'll be trying that out now. Gotta get that Twitter thing going. Still don't understand the point though I've read dozens of posts about it. You guys sound like you're having so much fun. ;-) Thanks so much!
Jeff - thanks for taking the time to put the video together, for those of us who need help with all these new technology. We very much appreciated it. Keep up the great work.
Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez
Well, Brad changed the creator this afternoon and some of the specs have changed. The header can now only be 115 pixels high, not 125 pixels high. In addition, you no longer have to provide a link for the header or background graphics. You can simply upload from your hard drive to the second version of the activerain customizer.
The new customizer is simpler to use, for sure, but the first portion of the tutorial video above is still valid. You can simply ignore the flickr portion. :)
I help lots of people in this are learn more about AR - the FIRST THING I require that they write down is your name. Thank you for all the help you give us non-techie types!!
Jeff - I had blown off the customizer because I really wasn't sure how to work with the images. Thanks for the help! I hope you have a terrific weekend!
Jeff......great job and you are a wealth of information. I have been struggling with my customization as I do not have photo shop. I love the swirl background while you blog is loading. Where do I get something like this? Are you for hire?
does anyone have any idea when active rain will restart emailing us comments?
Jeff - Thanks so much for this tutorial. I was doing this on Photoshop but it seems much easier using Picnik. Love the video tutorial!!!! Keep them coming.
Jeff - great stuff!! I finally got the Jing software, but no sooner did I get a macbook pro. I wanted to say thanks for referring me to the application that will allow me to produce some video training modules like you have done here. I know you hear this a lot and probably get twittered to death about it, but dude, you rock!!! :-)
Jeff- Awesome post that is so helpful! I really appreciate you for taking the time to provide the tutorials that we all can use to improve our image online!
Hi Jeff - I'm glad to find your post here because I had read on Brad Carroll's post about some having image problems. And if others have that problem, then sure enough I would, too. I love Picnik, been using that for awhile now.
Thanks for all the 'how-to' posts and tutorials you do for us here - thank YOU! Ann
AWESOME!!! Your video made it simple and easy to do for me. I've been messing with it for the past hour and have changed the banner half a dozen times. Now I'll look at all my photos a bit differently trying to zero in on the one that suits my mood. Easy to change especially with the help of Brad Carroll's Blog Customizer.
Jeff, this was a huge help. I watched the entire video one, and then did it again, pausing at each step while I did what I just learned in another screen. 'Wish I'd read this BEFORE I invested about 5-6 hours in trial and error. I tell everyone who compliments me on my skin to come watch your video.
Thanks Jeff for putting this out there. It is great to have these tool handed to us instead of searching for hours......As always, great info and thanks for sharing!
Thank you for helping all of us with this post, Jeff. As we each try to express our individuality and brand blogs, it is nice to have folks share their knowledge!
Jeff - thanks for the tutorial. I was having problems as I am a much better real estate agent/mediator than a tech person. I appreciate your taking the time to do this for the rest of the Active Rain community.
Jeff, Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I know I appreciate your efforts and I am sure a lot of other member do also. I have been having trouble and I think I can set my blog background up thanks to your video.
Jeff, what program did you use and how did you record the video of your face, then drop down to your screen to continue? I have Camtasia for Windows XP and Vista, what are you using on your MAC?
I guess I should research more Camtasia and see if I can do what you are doing with that!
Craig, I use Screenflow and it is Mac only. It uses the built in core functionalities of the mac to record everything to a timeline for editing later. I don't believe Camtasia can do it.
I am remiss in being Active on the Rain for a few months and Turner's site morphs into something dazzling. I see I'm going to have to get plugged back in - fast!
Jeff- Thanks for the tutorial. I found the "customized link" on the side of your blog last Friday. I spent a good hour (almost two!) trying to get my page to customize. I come back today and see you did a tutorial while I was away. Even though there have been some tweaks and updates since you did your tutorial, I still can't get the dang thing to work. :( You are a leader in the Rain. Thank you.
OMG Jeff- You ROCK!! This is exactly what I needed to know. The key is "picnik" I am so greatful. When you get a chance check mine out. I am going to go add text right this instant to my header!
Thanks again Jeff, your stuff is always super easy to understand, useful, and makes it easy for less tech savvy people like my self. I finally got it now.
Jeff... Great post! Thanks for the help. One question I have though... Can I take the header template and add a small pic to one side (leaving room for the AR logo), having the rest a single color background with text on it, as opposed to cropping a single photo and adding text which becomes the entire header? If that makes any sense at all, how would I do it? I use both picnik and also have photoshop elements though I'm not really proficient at it yet.
Jeff, thanks for your knowledge and sharing. I been looking at this header for about a week. At least now I do have a header. It is a work in progress but the good thing is that I do have a header.
Jeff, thank you so much for this tutorial. Couldn't have asked for better or more clear instructions. Thank you again for taking the time to do this for us.
Wow, Jeff THANK YOU!! I wish I had thought to look this up before I spent a lot of time trying to figure it out myself. Picnik.com is great and thank you for your video tutorial. I don't mind baby sounds, either!
Jeff - Thanks for taking the time to instruct those of us who may be technologically challenged. I have already customized my blog but I'm bookmarking this in case I want to change it up in the futrue.
I have bookmarked this and it will be my homework tonight. I tried Brads version with no luck a couple of months ago. I look forward to figuring this out. Thanks
Thanks for a great tutorial. Only sorry it took me so long to get here and view it.
Quick question for you - what softward are you using to get the screen capture video. I'm using Snagit, but it doesn't seem to have the features you're using.
OMG Jeff thank you. I bookmarked this blog right after you posted it and then Brad updated everything and it freaked me out so my header remained blank for MONTHS. I finally made the time to go back to his blog and your and I'm so jazzed...I love my new header and after I relistened to you tutorial video three times AND made notes, it was SO-O easy. I'm sorry that I didn't do it sooner.
Thanks SO much for taking the time. This will be one of those posts that will live on for a LONG time.
I'm sure you and others will recognize the image on my header. (-:
Helping businesses grow by effectively using evocative Internet-based services. I am the President of Zeek Interactive and Founder of RealEstateShows.com.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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Wow thank you so much! That was very helpful and I loved making my header! 
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