Yahoo Messenger (Beta) "The All New Yahoo! Messenger" Display Images - Avatars

UPDATE: 24th May 04 Yahoo Messenger releases v6.0
for further information see WackyB.co.nz - Yahoo Messenger v6

You can access your Display Image Avatar from either Messenger > Change My Display Image (Ctrl+Shft+K) or via your IM window, regardless of how you arrive there (again) your options are the same for "sharing" your avatar and for customizing it. Once inside the Display Image window click the radio box beside "Share my Avatar", then hit the Customize button. From there you're transported (via your browser) directly to http://avatars.yahoo.com/ which is where the real fun begins. Now if you're the type of person who likes to have a good poke around then grab a coffee first as you can certainly whittle away a fair amount of time here.

Once you're inside Yahoo! Avatars it can be a little overwhelming at first as there are quite a few options and directions that you can head in so have a little run around first so that you are familiar with just what's available and where it's located.

Across the top of the page is Yahoo Avatars (basicially like "home") Customize My Avatar, Using Avatars (Tips and Tricks), Introduction (helpful if you're still unsure what's going on) and Preferences all of which are pretty self explanatory. The site is constructed with frames so if you're a hefty right click user you'll need to curb your ways as throwing multiple pages out onto other tabs will prove a fruitless excercise.. bit of a shame but that's just me :) Now keeping in mind that I'm a girl (slightly "older" girl *g*) the following takes you through the selection process for a 'female' avatar but rest assured guys, you can make a manly avatar as well ;)

Customize My Avatar is where you will perhaps spend most of your time as the variety of features available is quite impressive. Appearance allows you to select Skin Colour, Face & Eyes (shape and colour) and Hairstyles which also includes hair colour. .

Apparel is of course your clothing, now if you're in a rush you can throw on a Full Outfit of which there is currently only two to select from... much needed is what we gals tend to throw on when in a rush... jeans, white shirt and trainers... hopefully that will come soon ;) If time is on your side then Tops and Bottoms will keep you occupied as you mix and match your way to fashion perfection... well close enough.

Under Extras you'll find Accessories where there is currently 2 styles of earrings to select from (Chandelier or Red Disc, hopefully more to come), then under Sports & Hobbies you can choose from a Boombox, Electric Guitar, Scooter or a Snowboard and in Hats & More you'll find two styles of hats with colour options which is where I scored the blue streaks in my hair.. funky aye ;)

Last but not least is Backgrounds, very important if you're wishing to set the scene, you can select from Beach, City, Mountain or Snowy, not too shabby at all.

For me personally they're missing....
from Apparel... std Jeans.. no rock star fancy stuff for this girl, the classic white shirt and the must have white trainers
Extras needs... where is my mobile phone??? *dead faint* where is my laptop??? *stunned silence*
and backgrounds... hmm... how about letting me rest my rear end at a café with a huge bucket of coffee in front of me.. actually the coffee should be an accessory as you wont often catch me without one ;)

You're just about there, all that is really left to play with now is your Mood selection (sits to the top of your Preview screen) where you can select from Happy, Excited, Sad, Angry and Special. The really cool thing about the Moods is that during your IM session your avatar face will change (briefly) base on the smiley that you're using.. pay close attention, it really does ;)

Points to note:
As your trotting through your Avatar creation steps keep your eye on the Save button and use it often, nothing is worse than trying to throw together the perfect outfit only to have your browser throw a wobbly.

Preferences is the key to gender changes. Say you're fed up with your true gender and you're in the mood to test driver the lesser sex (just kidding guys :p ) for a while, head directly to Preferences where you can do exactly that. Also available there is the option to Show or Hide your Avatar on Friends Lists and a way to completely delete your avatar.

Links:
Yahoo! Avatars
Yahoo! Messenger Display Imagine Help (being Avatars, Pictures, Display Image Options and Troubleshooting)
Yahoo! Avatars Help
Macromedia Flash Player Download Center
Microsoft Internet Explorer