MSN messenger is a program that allows a person to chat with friends simply by clicking a button and typing in a few words. One of the reasons people like to use this program is because it gives them the freedom to express themselves. One way this occurs is by allowing people to customize the features they use. A fun thing people like to do in messenger is make an animated MSN icon.
Instructions
1. Open Macromedia Fireworks and select "Create New" in the "Fireworks File" section of the page. This can be found in the top left corner of the screen. When the box appears, change the width of the page to 75 pixels and the height of the box to 50 pixels. Change the "Canvas Color" to a different color if desired and press "OK."
2. In the column on the left side, there is a "Frames and History" selection. Open this by clicking on it. After this opens, there will be three icons that appear. The middle icon is the "New/Duplicate Frame" icon. Select it by clicking on it. Repeat this process until the number of frames wanted is added. Typically around 20 to 30 frames is best.
3. Add content to the frames by using the "Place" function in the menu bar at the top of the page. Like a flip book, each image inserted into these screens should vary slightly from the previous.
4. Export the graphic by going to "File" and then selecting "Export Wizard." When the new window opens, select "Target Export Format." Change the variable number on the bottom to 7 or 8. Select "Continue." When the next window opens, make sure that "Animated Gif" has been selected and click on "Continue."
5. When the next window opens, choose the "Animation" tab on the top left of the screen. Push the play button in the panel on the right side to see the animation. Select the "Export" option to save the animation as a file on your computer.
6. Open MSN Messenger and begin a conversation with a buddy. There will be a tab listed as "Select Emoticon." Select this tab. A new tab will open that has a "Your Emoticons" section. Navigate to this section and click on "Show All." This will open a new window. Select "Create" in this window, find the animated image you created and select "OK." You have now created and uploaded your animated MSN icon.
