Shield and Sword Guidelines

Uploading Guidelines (Updated 03/01/2011)

If you have never created a shield or sword before, you should use a template as shown below. The images are generally made with a PC and if you have Windows you can draw with Microsoft Paint. Other great free programs include Paint.net, Gimp (Mac), and Graphics Gale*

*UPDATES*

(5/21/2011) Rapture
-Several changes due to the new uploading system. Emails are no longer accepted to upload shields, you must visit tinyurl.com/classicupload and upload through the website. Please visit the FAQ room for pricing info.

(3/01/2011)
-The wing template has been edited below. Please delete the previous template if you have saved it. We cannot accept shields that are more then 512 in width. Check your dimensions.
-Transparencies must be set for all shields png OR gif.
-We will be rejecting shields without notice. From now on we will only be accepting the most creative shields that come our way.

(11/20)
-No more armor or clothing shields. Basically if it covers the body and acts like a body, it will not be accepted.
-Please CLICK the shields below then save the image on the new page. The pics below are resized for this blog.

(8/12)
-If you do not know how to set transparencies (you REALLY should know how to) then the background color for your shield/sword must be one solid color that's NOT a color in the shield/sword.

(8/1)
-We've been getting a lot of players submitting their shields with the template on top of a GIANT WHITE BACKGROUND. These shields will be automatically rejected, please make sure the image file is the right size, don't include a giant white background behind a template.

(7/31)
-Any gray areas of offensive content not mentioned below will be judged by the up-loaders whether or not it would be suitable for a server with many children under 18. Please keep that in mind when sending in a shield that might offend others. If you're not sure about it, there's a good chance it can be rejected.

(7/19)
-We are no longer accepting gun shields.
-We don't accept shoulder pads as shields

(7/16)
-Although we upload new shields and swords every day, due to the overwhelming amount of submissions (we get about 200+ emails a day) we cannot upload a submission right away. Be patient, DO NOT send the same shield/sword more than once. We will eventually get to your e-mail. Anyone caught sending multiple e-mails with the same files will have their submission rejected. If everyone follows these rules, we will be able to upload shields/swords faster instead of rejecting half of them that come our way.


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Shield Uploading Guidelines

If you have never created a shield or sword before, you should ask for a template first. The images are generally made with a PC and if you have a windows you can draw with Microsoft Paint.

Rules:

1. NEVER save anything as jpg! It ruins the image and will not be accepted by the uploading website. Only png and gif are accepted ( note: the website will NOT add transparency to your image if it is a gif so make sure you have done this yourself)

2. Keep everything appropriate. Meaning no profanity, nothing drug related, nothing sexual, nothing racist, nothing sexist, no guns and in game Graal sprites

3. Draw everything yourself. Do not use Google'd images, do not use game sprites, do not use predefined textures, or anything like that. Also, nothing that would be copyright protected. Such as things you would find in a specific anime, video game, or movie.

4. No shields that can be worn as hats, heads, or bodies. Meaning no glasses, masks, hairstyles, or anything like that--even if you drew it yourself.

5. Do not send in repeated graphics or multiple recolors. Meaning, if a shield was already uploaded, don't rename it just to have a copy under your name. A few recolors may be nice but we don't need to upload every shade of the rainbow off of one kind of shield.

6. Do not exceed image sizes past 512 x 120. A lot of big images such as wings, in most cases, are rejected. If your wings do fit into the guidelines then we can accept them. Also, only small animated shields can be accepted.

7. Do not name your files after existing files. Or do not upload files under the same name (such as a sword and shield under the exact same name). If you want to update a shield, have us delete the original one and upload the new one under a different name. Do not use any symbols in file names except - and _. And keep file names appropriate. Please limit your file names to 24 characters (not including the .png).

8. The uploaders are NOT in charge of uploading the following: Hats, bodies, heads, furniture, levels, or anything else! Only swords and shields are accepted at this moment!

9. We do not convert images into shields for you or draw shields for you. You draw everything yourself. We don't do touch ups either. Also, everything is uploaded in order. Do not ask us to upload something before someone else, because they may have been waiting a long time!

10. Please use the templates we provide! Adding color to one side of the template does not actually change it. Also do not keep text or extra space outside the templates. Templates can be found at tinyurl.com/graaluploading

11. Any shields and swords that pass 20kb will be deleted and reimbursed.

If you agree to follow the guidelines you may upload your images at http://tinyurl.com/classicupload

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Please CLICK the shields below then save the image on the new page. The pics below are resized for this blog.

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(This is a great template to use for drawing freely. Just make sure not to save your image with the template attached.)



(This is the ONLY wing template we accept)

RULES FOR SUBMITTING SHIELDS AND SWORDS

1. NEVER save anything as jpg! It ruins the image. Converting image types won't fix the graphic. Save as .png or .gif (for animated shields).
2. Keep everything appropriate. Meaning:
   
   NO profanity
   NO racism
   NO sexism
   Nothing sexual
   Nothing drug related
   
   
3. Draw everything yourself. Do not use Google'd images, do not use game sprites, do not use predefined textures, or anything like that. Also, nothing that would be copyright protected. Such as things you would find in a specific anime, video game, or movie.
   
   
4. No shields that can be worn as hats, heads, or bodies. Meaning no glasses, shoulders, masks, hairstyles, or anything like that--even if you drew it yourself.
   
   
5. Do not send in repeated graphics or multiple recolors. Meaning, if a shield was already uploaded, don't rename it just to have a copy under your name. A few recolors may be nice but we don't need to upload every shade of the rainbow off of one kind of shield.
   
   Also, NEVER USE SOLID BLACK PIXELS. Solid black at 0 0 0 shows up as transparent on the server, so instead use a dark dark grey. It can be 001 black, so long as it's not completely black. Avoid using solid white as well.
   
   
6. You don't need to set transparencies but it would speed uploads up if you knew how to. When you visit tinyurl.com/graalupload you will notice a checkable box that will set the transparencies for you. It will detect the top left pixel and erase that color, so make sure your that color (background color) is NOT in the shield or that color in your shield will be deleted as well. It doesn't matter what the color is so long as it's not in your shield, but it's best to use something bright like hot pink or neon green so you can see you shield better when you edit.
   
   Please make sure the final image has a SINGLE COLORED BACKGROUND! Please, no gradients, checkered backgrounds, or template backgrounds.
   
   
7. Do not exceed image sizes past 512 x 120. A lot of big images such as wings, in most cases, are rejected. If your wings do fit into the guidelines then we can accept them. Also, only small animated shields can be accepted.
   
   
8. We do not convert images into shields for you or draw shields for you. You draw everything yourself. We don't do touch ups either. Also, everything is uploaded in order that it is received. Do not ask us to upload something before someone else, because they may have been waiting a long time!
   
   
9. Please use the templates we provide! Adding color to one side of the template does not actually change it. Also do not keep text or extra space outside the templates.
   

When you're done visit tinyurl.com/classicupload and follow the process. You will have to enter the email associated with your Graal and iTunes account in order for us to track you and transfer you shield/sword.



-NewYorkerNick and Diz (Artwork by Punk182)