Okay. So you are ready to try out the Mega Avs you have been seeing around VP. Where do you get them, and how do they work? Well, you will need two separate items to use them easily and properly. You will need the program that allows you to expand your Av from 48 X 64 pixels to 102 X 116 pixels. This is the Mega Av program. You will also need the Mega Av patch that allows you to save the Mega Avs in your VP avatar gallery. Both of these are available at VP Goodies. They are items #3 and #4.
Downloading
Download both iems to your hard drive using whatever method you normally use for downloading. I prefer to download everything to my desktop where it can be easily found. After intallation, the icon can be dragged to the recycle bin, and from there, either deleted, or, as I do, moved to a special folder. Some other people create a special folder just for downloading, and download everything into it. As long as you pay attention to the name of the file you are downloading, it doesn't really matter where you put it.
Installation
Mega Av Program
Once the Mega Av program has been downloaded, there will be an *.exe file icon in whatever location you chose to download it. Go offline, and close any Windows applications that are running. Double click on the icon to start installation. When it comes time to specify the location to which you want the file installed, make sure it uses this filepath: c:\program files\vplaces\games. It is the "games" folder into which the file must go. If you do not have one, the program will ask you if you want it to create one for you. Click on"Yes." Once the program is installed, you are ready to use it, but, without the Mega Av patch you will not be able to save Mega Avs in your VP avatar gallery. You could, however, use it to blow up your regular Avs, although they would look distorted. I would suggest you go ahead and run the Mega Av patch at this time.
Mega Av Patch
This patch will expand each slot in your VP avatar gallery to accomodate the larger size avs. The cardinal rule for running this patch is that you must not be in VP when you run it. Once the patch is downloaded, you will find an icon that looks like a red box labelled BigAv in whatever location you chose to download it. Double click on the icon and the patch will run. It will tell you when it has been installed. You will be instructed to press any key. Do so, and you are ready to begin saving and using Mega Avs. You will know that the patch has been properly installed if, when you go to change your av, you notice that each slot for each av is now larger than it used to be. If there is no change in the gallery, the patch was not run properly. Leave VP and try it again.
Using Mega Avs
Setting Up the Mega Av
If you already know how to set up a game in VP, you know how to run the Mega Av program. Right click on your own av. (Or, click on "Games" in the top tool bar.) Click on "Start a Game." Highlight "MegaHead." Click on "OK." (It is at this point that you may specify how you will be named on the chat list. Backspace over what is written in the "Game Name: " space, and type in anything you wish.) Click on "OK." You will now be in the Yahtzee game screen. Unless you wish to listen to the Yahtzee music and hear the little man ask you if you feel lucky tonight, you will want to turn off the music and special effects. Just click on the word "Music" on the drum and click on the letters "SFX" on the microphone. Now click on the "Chat Room" tab below the text dialog box near the bottom of the screen. You will be in the chat room, and your av will be big.
Moving the Mega Av
Moving the Mega Av around is a little tricky, but not that difficult once you've mastered the trick. There is only a two pixel wide band on the top and left side of the Mega Av by which you can grasp it. Approach the Mega Av with the cursor from the top or from the left side. When you get to the very edge, the yellow banner that shows your name when the cursor is over your av will show the name of the game, as opposed to your regular nickname. Now it is safe to depress and hold your left mouse button, and move the Mega Av around. Just release the mouse button when you have reached your desired position.
Enjoy Your Mega Av
You are now ready to enjoy your Mega Av. Of course, the main attraction of the Mega Av is the fact that you can have it painted with much more detail than the smaller avs. But, please be forewarned that VP does not officially recognize nor allow Mega Avs. You may be asked to remove it, or you may be booted. However, they are not very strict about policing them except in VP's own rooms.
Links
Here is a link to VP Goodies where you can obtain both the Mega Av program and the Mega Av patch.
Here is a link to Modummir's Hell Hole. Modummir is the creator of the Mega Av program and patch. You may download from here, and also obtain more instructions as to their use.
Here is a link to Hawke and Fox Avatar Painting. It is a friendly place where the artists are happy to paint your Mega Avs for you. You may also have custom-made gestures created to your specifications. There is also a link to a very nice links page, and some nice people with whom you may chat.
Here is a link to Bare Necessities. You will be able to pick up some very nice Mega Head Avs here to get you started. They are high all high quality, and there are all kinds, to suit every taste.
