In 1985, the world of computing was introduced to the use of Avatars. In games, across internet forums, motion capture, and social media, the use of avatars has now become all the rage.
No doubt, everyone enjoys the freedom of being able to create a miniature version of them or perhaps an illustration they hold in mind and apply these avatars or illustrations as icons representing them. Some others however just enjoy the thrill that comes with creating something new like it happens when playing a dress-up game.
With time, several individuals or groups have come up with ways for others to create these avatars that can be downloaded and shared. Picrew avatar is no exception to this.
Therefore, this article will focus on reviewing this avatar-providing service. Although each page on Picrew holds plenty of information for beginners to know how to work their way around the service, we will highlight a bit of this information. Let us now see what Picrew is, its features, terms of use, some FAQs, and creator functions.
What Is Picrew?
Picrew is a platform for creating images that function as avatars. The platform allows individuals to create their illustrations and these illustrations can serve the play function. However, illustrations on the Picrew site are released by individuals who create them. Therefore, most of these avatars come with permissions that ensure the use of images in line with the wants of the creator.
The Picrew avatar-maker has a random image maker and a Kisekae maker. The Kisekae maker works by letting you select items of choice. However, the random maker supplies various complete avatars for you to choose from.
Features Of Picrew Avatar Maker
Before going through the steps involved in using Picrew’s avatar maker, let us consider its configuration.
General features
The avatar-creating process takes place on the item selection panel. The following options are on the image maker selection panel –
Canvas: This is where the items you combine to form your avatar are displayed.
Layer: These parts come together to form the canvas.
Items: These are the objects you can choose from and combine in forming an image.
Parts: These are the various groups of your avatar made by combining the items of your choice. For example, the mouth, hair, and so on.
Operation Panel Control Key: This key allows one to go from one step to the other. That is, from item selection to the controller or color selection. However, where one of these functions is unavailable, the control key to switch to that function will not appear.
Kisekae Maker features
The following are criteria featured in the Kisekae maker and how to utilize these options.
Item selection: Among the list of available items that go into creating your avatar, you can select items that suit the look you want to achieve. To remove existing items under a selection, like eye accessories, make use of the X button when available.
Color selection: Not every avatar has the choice of color changes. However, where possible, you can choose to change the color of an item.
Controller: The function of the controller is to zoom in or move around. It is not available at all times. However, when it is, it is represented by single arrows pointing in the four directions. The control panel also holds the Reset button. As its name implies, this button takes all directions back to the initial state. The reset button does not affect changes in color or parts of your avatar.
Others: There are the options under this item. After clicking on any of these items, you can go on to continue creating your avatar to taste. These other options are
All random: This option randomly selects items and colors on your avatar. It also randomly sets the controllers.
Item random: Only the colors and items on the avatar are affected when you click on this option. Controller settings are not affected.
Reset all: This option is as irreversible as the random item and random all options. It clears all modifications you have made to the avatar and reverts it to the initial state.
5.) Complete: When you get an avatar to your taste, click on the button “finish”. The avatar can now be downloaded or shared via social platforms.
Features of the Random Maker
The random maker automates and randomly selects the images it displays. To begin, select the Start button. When you find a desirable image, click on the Finish option. From here, you can handle your avatar the same way you would handle one from the Kisekae maker in terms of sharing and downloading.
Creator Functions
Color Addition: Under the parts settings list, you can select the colors you would like to see on your avatar. These color specifications can be made will be made using hexadecimal codes.
Editing your information as an image creator: To change any information displayed on the site about your role as an image creator, visit your image creator profile. Data that you can correct include creator name, avatar description, tags, avatar creator icon, permissions, and kind. You can also choose to show or hide the “item random” or “all random” buttons.
Setting rules on Items: The rule settings tab on your avatar creator profile is where you can find and edit existing rules regarding images. For the name of rules, use a name you will remember and understand as it will only appear on the management page. Next, click on two parts of your choice to apply the rule. For example, either the hands, the socks, the mouth and so. Once you click on ‘Keep following this selection’, you cannot change the parts affected by the rule. In that case, you will have to start the process from scratch.
Picrew Avatar’s Terms of Use
You can find the full Terms of Use on the Picrew site. However, let's take a quick dive into how permissions work with avatars created on Picrew.
Permissions
Although all avatars are available for download and SNS sharing, individuals who create images with the Picrew maker can select from a range of permissions to control the use of their images. Therefore, you should take note of the permitted use for any ready-made avatar you desire. Here is a list of the main usage rights
1. Individual –
These permissions allow you to use avatars on personal blogs, as SNS icons, or for any other personal use.
2. Non-commercial –
Avatars with this permission are limited to personal/non-profit usage. These images can be used for printed materials to be circulated, across web services, and for third parties.
3. Commercial –
Commercial Use permissions apply to organizations or individuals who use images available on Picrew intending to obtain profits either indirectly or directly. Examples of scenarios where the commercial use permission applies are;
Use of images on corporate platforms or SNS accounts that are corporately operated and the likes.
Directly selling Picrew avatars.
Use of images on platforms with affiliates. However, there is an exception in cases where the platform is, say, a rental blog with affiliates and the Picrew users in question do not gain profits.
Use of avatars across platforms that may receive money like live distributions, regardless of how much/little money is involved.
4. Processing –
Processing permissions refer to the rights individuals have to modify Picrew avatars. This includes the right to add drawings to an existing avatar.
Exceptions
Under the following cases, you can use an image for commercial purposes even if the permissions disallow it–
If the user in question is the one who created the image, the avatar can be used commercially.
If the avatar is properly used in line with existing laws, for example, proper use of citations.
Prohibitions
The use of avatars made by the Picrew image creator is prohibited in the following cases;
Usage in ways that are considered offensive to morals and public order. For example, in accusing, discriminatory, or violent ways.
The redistribution of avatars/images made by the Picrew image creator either with modifications or without modifications.
Use of images in ways that disregard copyrights. Note that only the creator of avatars on Picrew is exempted from the copyrights.
Sale and redistribution of images on image-based items like gift cards or postcards.
FAQs
As an image creator, can I use my images for other purposes?
Yes, you can. This is because the copyright that you set to control the use of your image does not apply to you.
How can I, the image creator, ensure that the copyright for my images is visible?
To do this, visit the add parts page and click on the copyright part. Upload the copyright image to occupy the item 1 space. Ensure that the layer containing copyright parts is at the front.
Configure the copyright settings to:
Show within menuOFF OFF Utilize the remove buttonOFF OFF
How can I register a new image maker?
The option to register a new avatar maker can be found on the image maker list. To register, you have to fill in some required information. Among these, you have to provide a name for the avatar and fill in the type of image. You can choose between the random and Kisekae makers.
How can I adjust the disclosure range of my avatar?
For whatever changes you make to your image maker to reflect on the website, you need to release the image. On the initial release of an image, only the default disclosure range is available. However, when further alterations are made, the option to change disclosure range appears next to the release button.
Bottom Line
If you're in need of an avatar you can use for your profiles across social media or other platforms, you will find a tool like Picrew very helpful. The avatar-creator gives you a lot of features to work with and new users will find it easy to use. Unlike the default avatar providers that come with most apps, Picrew lets you have a say in what your avatar should look like. Surely you can't wait to get your new avatar that truly represents you – after all, that's what an avatar is supposed to do.