To use a screenshot as an avatar, resize it to 80 x 80 pixels (can be done with many image editors; Paint works fine), give it a url address (can be done by uploading it to photobucket or some other image-hosting site), then type that url in the address field where your avatar options are in your account's personal settings (where you change your password and such).
To get a screenshot, log in to the game and type "/screenshot" (without the quotes, of course), then find your City of Heroes folder and open the sceenshots folder within it.
To add an image to a post, such as a screenshot or an event flier, you'll need to contact one of our community staff, such as Niviene.
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Here's a player created guide to 'Getting a Forum Avatar'.
As for actually taking screenshots, hit you 'Print Screen' button in game. To get a good headshot, you can take it while in the Costume Editor )I like to zoom in and hit the 'Save' button, as it clears away the rest of the costume editor UI.)
To turn your camera around in the game, hold down your 'Page Up' key and 'mouselook' (holding down your right mouse button and sliding you mouse.) "page Down' or 'B' will return you to default view.
EDIT: I use Photobucket myself, but both it and Imageshack give you easy to use abilities to resize/crop images.
Once you take a screenshot ingame, a 'screenshots' folder will be automatically created. Browse to that folder, find an image you want to use, right-click on it and select 'Open with > Paint'.
You can then just click 'File > Save As...' and name the new image. You might even think about creating a new folder while you're at it to make your images easier to locate.
Once you create an account on an image hosting sights, upload that image. They will give you several options on the image tag, always use the 'Direct Link' for your avatar.
Just remember, every time you change anything in your Personal information section, you will have to type in you password and verify it.
Ok, I'm a writer not an internet savant. Can someone tell me how to use a screenshot to make an Avatar and...
How do I get the screenshot so I can add it to the confines of a post.
Yes, I'm a Newb at this, but I really want to learn how so I can post some things I've been working on as well *smiles*
A crash course on cleaning up an image would also be helpful. Now keep in mind all I have to work with at present is Paint.
Thanks, in advance everyone.