How to Add Images to the Avatar Gallery in phpBB

phpBB is a popular bulletin board platform that allows users to customize their profiles with avatars. Admins can manage the avatar gallery to provide a selection of avatars for users. Here’s how to add images to the avatar gallery in phpBB.

1: Prepare the Images

1. Choose Images
   • Select images that you want to include in the avatar gallery.
   • Ensure they are appropriate for your community.
2. Resize the Images
   • phpBB avatars typically have size restrictions (e.g., 100×100 pixels). Check your phpBB settings to determine the maximum dimensions. Resize your images accordingly.
   • Save the images in a supported format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, or GIF).
3. Name the Files
   • Use clear and unique file names for easy identification. Avoid using special characters in file names.

2: Access Your Server

1. Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel
   • Use cPanel, Plesk, or an equivalent hosting control panel to access your server.
2. Navigate to the phpBB Installation Directory
   • Locate the root folder of your phpBB installation. This is often named phpBB, forum, or something similar.
3. Open the Avatar Directory
   • Navigate to images/avatars/gallery. This is the default folder where phpBB stores avatar gallery images.

3: Upload the Images

1. Upload via File Manager
   • Use the File Manager in your hosting control panel to upload your images to the gallery folder.
   • Create subfolders inside gallery to organize your images by category, if needed.
2. Upload via FTP
   • Alternatively, use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) to upload the images:
     • Connect to your server using your FTP credentials.
     • Navigate to the images/avatars/gallery folder.
     • Drag and drop the prepared images or folders into this directory.

4: Verify and Configure Settings

1. Check Permissions
   • Ensure the gallery folder and its contents have the correct permissions (e.g., 755 for folders, 644 for files).
2. Enable Gallery Avatars in phpBB Settings
   • Log in to your phpBB Admin Control Panel (ACP).
   • Go to General → Board Configuration → Avatar Settings.
   • Ensure “Enable gallery avatars” is set to “Yes.”

5: Test the Avatar Gallery

1. Navigate to the Avatar Gallery
   • Log in as a regular user and go to your profile settings.
   • Select “Avatar” → “Display gallery.”
2. Verify the Images
   • Ensure all uploaded images appear in the gallery and are properly categorized.
3. Test Selection
   • Select an avatar from the gallery and confirm it displays correctly in the profile and forum posts.

Tips for Maintenance

• Organize Images: Keep the gallery folder organized with meaningful subfolders (e.g., “Nature,” “Cartoons,” “Abstract”).
• Regular Updates: Periodically update the gallery with fresh images to keep the selection interesting.
• Backup: Backup your gallery folder before making significant changes.

In Conclusion: Add Images to the Avatar Gallery in phpBB

This guide should make it easy to manage avatars for your phpBB forum’s avatar gallery. If you have questions or run into issues, feel free to consult the phpBB documentation or community forums. Of course, the BB Archive has a great community in which to ask questions.

Finally, open a thread in our forum and let us know how you manage your avatars. Also, does it improve your forum to have a colourful avatar gallery?