This post is the result of a request on the forums to demonstrate how I made this Avatar :

For this how to I will use this image :

First open Gimp =)

1. Create a new file

File -> New

On the next window, under Image Size, input the forums default (80×80).

Under “Advanced , in the “Fill with” menu select “Transparency”.

Click “OK”

2. Create a new layer.

Layer -> New Layer. Size = 80×80 .

Give this layer a name, say “Avatar”.

3. You can see your layers with the Layers dock.

Windows -> Dockable Dialogs -> Layers

4. Copy and paste in your desired Avatar.

5. Anchor your pasted layer

Layer -> Anchor layer.

6. Animate it =)

Filters -Animation -> Burn in

You can change the color of the effect if you wish, here I went with the defaults.

Click “OK”

7. Save the resulting image as “avatar.gif”

In the save dialog , export the image as an animation (“Save as animation”).

Click “Export”

On the next dialog select “Loop forever”.

7. Add a new layer, make it transparent. In the layers dock , right click the new transparent layer, hold the mouse button down and drag the layer to the very bottom.

8. Last change the display time of the layers to your desire.

Working with the new image, In the “Layers” task bar, you will see the title of your layers.

You edit the name of a layer by double clicking over the name of the layer. Add / edit the time for each layer to be visible. The time in ms so (4000ms) = 4 seconds.

Here is what I used (note the numbers in the dialog box).

You can preview what the result will look like with

Filters-> Animation -> playback.

When you are happy with the result , save the image.

Result :