Hi, I am looking for collections of avatars (or smileys) created in or
for Flash. These are the small, almost always gif, sometimes animated
graphics used to identify users in content management programs like
Xoops (xoops.org). You can see some examples here:
http://www.smily.at/smily/htm/smilygifs02.htm. I need a large
colection of these in the Flash formats format .swf o, if posible,
.fla. If such graphics absolutely don't exist, I would want to know
about other similar clip art (smileys or avatars) in other vector
graphic formats that could be imported into Flash, like eps. The gif
versions of these tend to be considered public domain, and I would
like if posible that the graphics be free to use. Please don't answer
unless you have found at least one large collection of usable graphics
or several smaller ones. Thanks.

Hi asher! 
 
In numerous searches of smiley and avatar sites (and years of using
them!), I've been unable to find a smiley or avatar in .swf, .fla or
eps format!  So just to be certain, before I unleashed my collection
of favorite smiley spots on you, I checked to make sure .gif can be
imported to Flash.  It can:
 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.gif.com/ImageEdit/Vectors/Guides/Learn_Flash_5_Formats/">http://www.gif.com/ImageEdit/Vectors/Guides/Learn_Flash_5_Formats/</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.gif.com/ImageEdit/Vectors/Guides/Learn_Flash_5_Formats/">http://www.gif.com/ImageEdit/Vectors/Guides/Learn_Flash_5_Formats/</a>&lt;/a&gt; ]
 
...so without further ado, my list of favorite smiley spots: 
 
Lysergic Smileys 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://members.tripod.com/~smajlik/">http://members.tripod.com/~smajlik/</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://members.tripod.com/~smajlik/">http://members.tripod.com/~smajlik/</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
MySmilies.com 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.mysmilies.com/">http://www.mysmilies.com/</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.mysmilies.com/">http://www.mysmilies.com/</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
Animation Station 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://209.242.23.187/smileys/">http://209.242.23.187/smileys/</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://209.242.23.187/smileys/">http://209.242.23.187/smileys/</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
Fortune City's Animation Factory   (I really like the one with the
teeth)
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://animationfactory.fortunecity.com/af_creatures_smileys_page_aa.html">http://animationfactory.fortunecity.com/af_creatures_smileys_page_aa.html</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://animationfactory.fortunecity.com/af_creatures_smileys_page_aa.html">http://animationfactory.fortunecity.com/af_creatures_smileys_page_aa.html</a>&lt;/a&gt;
]
 
Bravenet Free Graphics 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.bravenet.com/reviews/graphics.php">http://www.bravenet.com/reviews/graphics.php</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.bravenet.com/reviews/graphics.php">http://www.bravenet.com/reviews/graphics.php</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
For Palace (non-smiley) Avatars, this page offers hundreds of free
graphics:
 
FreeAvatars.net 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.freeavatars.net/">http://www.freeavatars.net/</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.freeavatars.net/">http://www.freeavatars.net/</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
Enchanted Walks 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://realm-ed.co.uk/paintshop/">http://realm-ed.co.uk/paintshop/</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://realm-ed.co.uk/paintshop/">http://realm-ed.co.uk/paintshop/</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
...and there is a small collection of free avatars here: 
 
NutRocker's 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.nutrocker.co.uk/animatedgifs.html">http://www.nutrocker.co.uk/animatedgifs.html</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.nutrocker.co.uk/animatedgifs.html">http://www.nutrocker.co.uk/animatedgifs.html</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
 
Good luck! 
 
missy-ga 
 
Google search links: 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=free+smileys">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=free+smileys</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=free+smileys">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=free+smileys</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="://www.google.com/search?q=free+avatars&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;start=0&amp;amp;sa=N">://www.google.com/search?q=free+avatars&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;start=0&amp;amp;sa=N</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="://www.google.com/search?q=free+avatars&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;start=0&amp;amp;sa=N">://www.google.com/search?q=free+avatars&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;start=0&amp;amp;sa=N</a>&lt;/a&gt; ]  

---

Request for Answer Clarification by asher-ga on 15 May 2002 21:17 PDT

Given that there are indeed thousands of gif smileys/avitars floating
around on hundreds of sites, it seems imposible to me that no one has
converted any to flash or another vector format and posted them.
Importing these graphics as gif's and converting them to vector format
doesn't work well and is time consuming. As stated in my question ("in
other vector graphic formats that could be imported into Flash, like
eps") I need them to be in vector format. I also asked that my
question not be answered unless at least some of what I asked for was
found. If the terms of my question weren't acceptable I wish you
hadn't answered, and as indicated by my link, I obivously had been
able to find plenty of gif versions. Though I understand that you have
spent some time looking for an answer, I do not consider this an
adequate response.  

---

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 15 May 2002 21:56 PDT

I think Mozilla has the hiccups!  Please see the comments below.  

---

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 15 May 2002 23:34 PDT

Alas, asher, as impossible as it may seem to you that someone hasn't
created as many smiley and avatar sites in vector formats as in .JPG
and .GIF, it would appear that no one has.
 
At least, not for free.  There are many, many clip art sites offering
.EPS format graphics and, with a very tiny number of exceptions, all
charge a fee - either a one off deal, or a subscription.
 
I searched using the the following links: 
&lt;a href=&quot;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+clipart+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+clipart+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+clipart+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+clipart+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search</a>&lt;/a&gt;
 
&lt;a href=&quot;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+graphics+%22free+download%22">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+graphics+%22free+download%22</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+graphics+%22free+download%22">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+graphics+%22free+download%22</a>&lt;/a&gt;
 
&lt;a href=&quot;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+vector+graphics+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+vector+graphics+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+vector+graphics+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search">://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;amp;lr=&amp;amp;q=%22.eps%22+vector+graphics+%22free+download%22&amp;amp;btnG=Google+Search</a>&lt;/a&gt;
 
...and found only these *very tiny* free collections: 
 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.art-builders.com/index.php3">http://www.art-builders.com/index.php3</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.art-builders.com/index.php3">http://www.art-builders.com/index.php3</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] - poorly organized, with
other file types as well.
 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.imagecon.com/free_stuff/clipart.html">http://www.imagecon.com/free_stuff/clipart.html</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.imagecon.com/free_stuff/clipart.html">http://www.imagecon.com/free_stuff/clipart.html</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] - only 18 images 
 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.novadevcorp.com/mainus/downloads/freewin.htm">http://www.novadevcorp.com/mainus/downloads/freewin.htm</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.novadevcorp.com/mainus/downloads/freewin.htm">http://www.novadevcorp.com/mainus/downloads/freewin.htm</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] - No
preview.  Personal Contact info required.
 
[ &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.freeclipart.nu/cliparteps.htm">http://www.freeclipart.nu/cliparteps.htm</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="http://www.freeclipart.nu/cliparteps.htm">http://www.freeclipart.nu/cliparteps.htm</a>&lt;/a&gt; ] - very tiny collection. 
 
None of these are smiley sites, either. 
 
I'm afraid the artwork you require, in the format and at the cost you
require, is simply not available.
 
You may apply for a refund on your question here: 
 
&lt;a href=&quot;<a href="https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=refundrequest">https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=refundrequest</a>&quot;&gt;<a href="https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=refundrequest">https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=refundrequest</a>&lt;/a&gt;  

The answer did not address my concern, as the Google Reasercher
admitted. I was able to find a partial answer on my own later on, so I
do not need it reposted. The Researcher herself realized that I might
want to ask for a refund.

My apologies, I seem to have misunderstood.

Let me prowl around a bit more and see what I can find by tomorrow
night.  If I am unable to locate what you need, you can always ask for
a refund, with no hard feelings on my part.

I blew it.  I'm sorry.

I may have a solution, it's not exactly what you asked for, but try
this link:

http://www.gfx2swf.com/gif2swf/

It will allow you to batch convert all your Gifs to SWF in one swoop,
with out needing to import them into Flash first. It is also very
cheap about $10.00 .

Maybe this will help, Maybe not.

Well, I'm not yet an official researcher so there is no charge for
this, hope you find it helpful, even though it is not precisely the
information you are seeking.

Check out the Loufrani's Smiley Dictionary.
http://www.smileydictionary.com

They have a good number of very nice looking Smiley's of consistent
size... and, for your pursuit of Flash, they have the Smiley Font for
free download:
http://www.smileydictionary.com/icons.html

My impression is that Flash works well with fonts, so that might help
with what you are trying to accomplish... namely, lossless import into
Flash.

(Note:  There is some debate as to whether Ball or Loufrani invented
the Smiley.  Ball died in April 12, 2001... which is sad news no
matter who is taking credit for inventing the ubiquitous smiley.)