If you have yet to make your own custom BBM Avatar, myself included, RIM has posted a very nice guide on how to create your own BlackBerry Avatar for free from scratch. Before getting started be sure to pick up either the Guys Edition or Girls Edition which are available for free in the BlackBerry App World. Continue reading for details on how to customize your own Avatar.
Part One – Installing Avatar Builder
Before you can install Avatar Builder, there are a few things you’ll need to check first:
1. Are you using a BlackBerry smartphone that is supported?
2. Are you using the required BlackBerry® Device Software version?
3. Are you located in a supported country?
All of this information can be found on the Avatar Builder page that’s available in the BlackBerry App World desktop storefront. If you don’t know which version of BlackBerry Device Software version you are using, click here for steps on how to get this information.
Provided you meet the requirements to use Avatar Builder, the next step is to download it from BlackBerry App World. You can install it using the BlackBerry App World application on your BlackBerry smartphone and by searching for Avatar Builder, or by visiting the BlackBerry App World for each application linked below. If you cannot find Avatar Builder while using BlackBerry App World on your BlackBerry, make sure you meet the requirements that are listed in the BlackBerry App World desktop storefront page for the Avatar Builder app.
Note: You can install both the Guys and Girls version of the Avatar Builder in case you want both as well.
Part Two – Creating an Avatar
It’s time to unleash your creativity! After launching Avatar Builder for the first time, you’ll be able to create, view and edit your avatars.
If you select Create, you’ll be presented with the above screen that allows you to select the item you’d like to customize, such as your hair style, eyes, and accessories of course (+1 for headphones!). To change or remove something you’ve set, all you need to do is select the item you’d like to remove, and then either click on the item you’d like to replace it with or click the red X that appears on the right to remove it completely.
When you are finished customizing your avatar, click on the green arrow or the menu key to save it. You also have the ability to create a random avatar by clicking on the red dice in the top right corner. Don’t forget that you can also access several options while creating your avatar by selecting the Menu key. Within this menu, you’ll be able to do things such as resetting the avatar that you are currently creating.
Part Three – Displaying and Sharing your Avatar
The first thing I did after creating my avatar was set it as my BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) display picture. To do this, complete the following steps:
1. Open BlackBerry Messenger, press the Menu key and select “View My Profile”.
2. Press the Menu key again and select “Change Display Picture”.
3. Select “Picture Library” and click on the avatar you’d like to use.
4. Specify how you’d like to crop your avatar, then press the Menu key and select Crop & Save.
5. Your avatar will now appear as your BlackBerry Messenger display image!
You can share your avatar with friends on Facebook®, Twitter® and anyone with an email address. To do this, complete the following steps:
1. Open Avatar Builder.
2. Select “View or Edit Avatars“.
3. Highlight the avatar you’d like to share, press the Menu key and select “Share This Avatar”.
4. From the menu, select Facebook, Twitter or Email.
Part Four – Sharing Avatar Builder
Now that you are familiar with creating avatars, you should tell your friends and family about the Avatar Builder app so they can create personal avatars as well! There are several ways you can let your friends know about the Avatar Builder app. My favorite method is to select the “Share Avatar Builder” button that appears when you open Avatar Builder.
This menu will allow you to notify friends using Twitter, Facebook and email. From this screen you’ll also be able to leave a review in BlackBerry App World and download the other version of Avatar Builder, in case you only installed the Guys version as per the screenshot above. Don’t forget to Sign Up for BlackBerry Updates as well, as this is a great way to get notified of new things when they are launched.
Make sure you share your avatar with us by leaving a comment and attaching your avatar. You can also share your avatar by uploading it to our Facebook page or by sending us a tweet with it attached. We look forward to seeing all of your creative avatar
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