Any Advice on editing my MFC profile?

[gingerboozz]

Hey All!
I was looking to see if anyone can offer some advice on how to make my profile look top notch without having to pay someone to do it for me? I like the idea of changing it often so I wanted to do it myself.
Thank you!

 

[Striker44]

I've been working on a profile lately to help a friend. If you want to do it yourself you're going to need to have a comfort zone with HTML and CSS. you paste the HTML - typically - into the "About Me" field. It's all but impossible to edit it there so you want to use an external editor in my opinion and then paste in any code changes.
There are some starting links, and you can get some free templates to get started as well. I can try and dig some up. there is a big Sticky thread here talking about profiles.

This is a decent site with some starting templates :
http://myfreemfcprofilehelp.blogspot.com/search/label/Free Layouts

 

[Dan N]

Hey All!
I was looking to see if anyone can offer some advice on how to make my profile look top notch without having to pay someone to do it for me? I like the idea of changing it often so I wanted to do it myself.
Thank you!

You could ask someone else (your awesome regular tippers) to pay for a top notch profile design so you don't have to... or if you have some free time at your disposal, get familiar with HTML and CSS markup

 

[DJ_Pioneer]

The way I learned it was to look at the code for different models profiles and compare them. It is probably not the most efficient way to learn how to do it.

 

[Dream Alien]

An easy way to do graphics on your profile is using a background image you like or just a solid color image and then adding whatever text or graphics you want on top of it.
https://www.befunky.com/ Is wonderful and easy to use for editing, text and some simple graphics.

I suggest downloading the free photo editor GIMP (its basically like photoshop but not as many advanced features) and its free!
https://www.gimp.org/downloads/ You can add your own graphics to your pics by opening as a layer, then you can scale to a certain size and move it around Then you export the picture and save it as a png or jpg.

Then you need to upload your pics to a image hosting site (can use http://postimages.org/ ) and you will copy the direct link to image.
On MFC under your About Me Section of edit profile you will paste the following code so that your images will show up!

<img src="URL HERE"> You can use <br> inbetween code if you want the next image to be on next line.

Hope this helps and makes things a little easier. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact me!

 

[Dan N]

An easy way to do graphics on your profile is using a background image you like or just a solid color image and then adding whatever text or graphics you want on top of it.
https://www.befunky.com/ Is wonderful and easy to use for editing, text and some simple graphics.

I suggest downloading the free photo editor GIMP (its basically like photoshop but not as many advanced features) and its free!
https://www.gimp.org/downloads/ You can add your own graphics to your pics by opening as a layer, then you can scale to a certain size and move it around Then you export the picture and save it as a png or jpg.

Then you need to upload your pics to a image hosting site (can use http://postimages.org/ ) and you will copy the direct link to image.
On MFC under your About Me Section of edit profile you will paste the following code so that your images will show up!

<img src="URL HERE"> You can use <br> inbetween code if you want the next image to be on next line.

Hope this helps and makes things a little easier. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact me!

Yes useful suggestions for basic editing... for a top notch astonishing with wow effect profile, one needs a bit more involvement.

I just want to add a piece of css (in the context of @Dream Alien 's suggestion)
simple image
<img src="URL HERE" style="display:block;width:100%;height:auto;margin:0 auto;"/>

banner type / clickable
<a href="your-tip-url-here"><img src="URL HERE" style="display:block;width:100%;height:auto;margin:0 auto;"/></a>

To be used only with big images like a tip menu for example... the additional css makes the image responsive
width:100% - full width of the "wrapper" element
height: auto - its a relative values as the most important is given by the width
margin:0 auto - aligns the image and removes the blank spaces/lines

margin:10px auto 20px auto - top | left | bottom | right the space between, above or below other existing elements

 

[LibbyLibrarian]

I hired an entry level web designer to do mine. It should be done at the end of this or next week.

 

[LaceyRoyce]

Hey All!
I was looking to see if anyone can offer some advice on how to make my profile look top notch without having to pay someone to do it for me? I like the idea of changing it often so I wanted to do it myself.
Thank you!

You mentioned you don't want to pay someone because you want to change it often. If $20 a month is in your budget, the Profile Builder at cammodelexpress might be a great option. You can make changes daily (I do) within a few seconds and you don't need to know any coding. If you want more info just let me know i don't wanna fill this thread up with a plug but thought you might not be aware that you CAN build a profile and make changes with this.

 

[IsabellaSnow]

I have been using code academy to learn basic HTML and CSS which really does help get the basics down so you know what you're looking at. I then have picked up bits and pieces from around ACF. Right now I am trying out a free profile template made by PokeBabe which I've edited a bit, though I will probably edit more. I then make posters using a free poster maker then load them to MFC in an unassigned album and use HTML to put them on my profile. This is VERY easy, takes seconds to edit everything as you just need to edit the posters rather than fuck around with coding. All you need to do then is upload your new edited poster and stick that URL where the old one was (MFC generates the URL for you). I am still working on mine, but I know what I want to do and how to do it thanks to Code academy. There are lots of things on this forum which are useful and will offer you tips.
Doing it this way may not get you the most beautifully polished profile, but it means you can be independent and have everything you need up there. It also means you can gradually learn more complicated code and will eventually be able to make your own profile. Then if you did want to pay someone on a one off to code your profile you would be able to roughly understand it which would make for easier editing. It's also a good thing to add to the CV.
Sorry, editing to add, code academy is free and teaches you in bitesize bits where you code as you go. It's designed to be easy to learn code from home. Really great resource if anyone is interested in trying it. The creators seem pretty cool too.

 

[Striker44]

What is the free poster maker?

Thank you

 

[Dan N]

I have been using code academy to learn basic HTML and CSS which really does help get the basics down so you know what you're looking at. I then have picked up bits and pieces from around ACF. Right now I am trying out a free profile template made by PokeBabe which I've edited a bit, though I will probably edit more. I then make posters using a free poster maker then load them to MFC in an unassigned album and use HTML to put them on my profile. This is VERY easy, takes seconds to edit everything as you just need to edit the posters rather than fuck around with coding. All you need to do then is upload your new edited poster and stick that URL where the old one was (MFC generates the URL for you). I am still working on mine, but I know what I want to do and how to do it thanks to Code academy. There are lots of things on this forum which are useful and will offer you tips.
Doing it this way may not get you the most beautifully polished profile, but it means you can be independent and have everything you need up there. It also means you can gradually learn more complicated code and will eventually be able to make your own profile. Then if you did want to pay someone on a one off to code your profile you would be able to roughly understand it which would make for easier editing. It's also a good thing to add to the CV.
Sorry, editing to add, code academy is free and teaches you in bitesize bits where you code as you go. It's designed to be easy to learn code from home. Really great resource if anyone is interested in trying it. The creators seem pretty cool too.

Useful tips indeed. Yes if a webcam performer has time to learn the markup top-to-bottom, such service like CA can be helpful tho it is not much useful if MFC does not accept some of the markup codes, so, my personal suggestion is to get familiar with the allowed markup accepted by MFC before wasting time learning something which can't be applied in practice. (suggestion valid if time is not your friend) .
@IsabellaSnow - wow, I like your MFC profile, it has a certain style and an interesting approach.
- text on images is easy to read, doesn't hurt the eyes
- headers (titles of the sections) are using a different font and that's good as the viewer can identify the section faster.
(the video section is a bit messy but acceptable)
Quick tip for images.
You can use inline css to make images responsive (or advanced css via custom class).
Having content mobile-friendly is a huge plus.
Good job on graphic elements

 

[Smores]

@IsabellaSnow - wow, I like your MFC profile, it has a certain style and an interesting approach.
- text on images is easy to read, doesn't hurt the eyes
- headers (titles of the sections) are using a different font and that's good as the viewer can identify the section faster.
(the video section is a bit messy but acceptable)

I just peeked at this profile based on Dan's remark, and I will second that it looks fantastic. Well done graphic design! It looks like you did a lot of work there.

Yours is an example of what I was talking about in another thread: I noticed that most of your major text sections were implemented as images. Can you explain why it is you did that? Is the issue that you can do a much more precise and detailed graphic design in something like Photoshop, which you then turn into a JPG and reference in HTML?

 

[Lelo1]

I think MFC is planning to change profiles. So I don't know how much effort you want to put into the current profile system

Allot of people repalce their whole profile with a single picture made their favori photo editing program. (photoshop, gimp, or Pixelmator)

 

[Striker44]

I just peeked at this profile based on Dan's remark, and I will second that it looks fantastic. Well done graphic design! It looks like you did a lot of work there.

Yours is an example of what I was talking about in another thread: I noticed that most of your major text sections were implemented as images. Can you explain why it is you did that? Is the issue that you can do a much more precise and detailed graphic design in something like Photoshop, which you then turn into a JPG and reference in HTML?

It's just so much easier to drop the graphics in with img tags.

 

[IsabellaSnow]

I just peeked at this profile based on Dan's remark, and I will second that it looks fantastic. Well done graphic design! It looks like you did a lot of work there.

Yours is an example of what I was talking about in another thread: I noticed that most of your major text sections were implemented as images. Can you explain why it is you did that? Is the issue that you can do a much more precise and detailed graphic design in something like Photoshop, which you then turn into a JPG and reference in HTML?

That is the reason. It is just that is is easier for me to make and edit posters and then pop them up on MFC than working with the HTML itself. I used to do Art and Fashion design so a lot of the work I did on computers was designing using programs rather than coding, though right now I am just using a free online poster maker which is very straightforward. For me it's really whatever is as little a headache to organise as possible and this works for me. In my experience, members like a nice looking profile, but what they want to know is about you and what you are selling as clearly as possible. For me images are the easiest way to do this.

Thank you for the compliments though! It is mostly Pokerbabes free layout which I have changed the colours and added and removed a few things, so it is definitely her work rather than mine. It still needs a lot of work though, for example the video poster was one I did quickly rather than putting the effort in. But I've been very busy this week with moving house so I haven't been able to finish it. I will next be putting up links to my twitter and manyvids account and will then be making a scroll box for videos with a link to offline tips.
It definitely isn't perfect by any means, but I find it fun messing around with it a bit. Hopefully eventually I will understand it enough that I can make a full profile by myself. So far all the code I have learned on Code Academy has worked on MFC so that's one thing to know. To be honest I think it's primarily useful just to get you used to getting the feel of it. Take an hour or two and do some of the lessons and you start to understand it a lot better and can work it yourself.

Something I have learned over the years is not to wait for someone else to do something for you, just take the time to learn yourself. To the OP or anyone else really, if you're thinking of paying someone to make a profile, use the money for a course to learn yourself! Unless you are crazily busy and are making so much that you don't care about continuing to pay people, the time investment will be worth it.
Otherwise, if you do want a really amazing looking profile ASAP, start learning basic code yourself but pay someone to make you the profile you want, but ask them to explain it to you so you know which bits to edit. Then it's a one pay out investment while you're getting to know the ropes, but should give you some independence. I know that Pokerbabe certainly used to accept vouchers and I think paypal for custom profiles and she's pretty awesome at it so it would be worth contacting her.

Just whatever you do, don't speak to guys you know who "know IT stuff" unless CSS and HTML profiles are their specialty. When I first started camming and was lost making my profile, I asked around people I knew. No joy, many guys will say they know how to do something just as a way to try to chat you up (and to see your camming profile). Same with cars, if they aren't experienced as mechanics then fuck are they touching my car. Total waste of time.

 

[Smores]

That is the reason. It is just that is is easier for me to make and edit posters and then pop them up on MFC than working with the HTML itself. I used to do Art and Fashion design so a lot of the work I did on computers was designing using programs rather than coding, though right now I am just using a free online poster maker which is very straightforward. For me it's really whatever is as little a headache to organise as possible and this works for me. In my experience, members like a nice looking profile, but what they want to know is about you and what you are selling as clearly as possible. For me images are the easiest way to do this.

Can you post the URL to your online poster maker?

Are there other poster makers - including ones that run as software on Windows - that others here recommend?

 

[IsabellaSnow]

Can you post the URL to your online poster maker?

Are there other poster makers - including ones that run as software on Windows - that others here recommend?

I have been using Canva.com

 

[asafo]

In my experience, members like a nice looking profile, but what they want to know is about you and what you are selling as clearly as possible.

^ This!!!

I think one of the more important things about profiles is what NOT to do with profiles. Artistic profiles are great! Knowing HTML & CSS is great! But, a number of models seem to have been overzealous with the artistic license and created a profile that is very difficult to view. Therefore, it makes it more difficult for members to know a little bit about the model and to understand what the model is offering.

Some key things I have noticed from a few profiles:

• Text not readable against background (I have actually seen white font on a mostly-white background.)
• Text insanely large (I do not need to read it from across the room.)
• Almost all of the profile is offset to the right. (You need to scroll far to the right to see the profile.)
• Random organization of the profile content
• Broken links/menus/images

And, sometimes, things simply break if you are not careful while playing around with the HTML/CSS. I came across a MFC profile once where the pics in the photo album (when you view the photos in the entirety of the browser window) were offset so much that you can only see about half of each picture as you go through the album. To be honest, I had no idea the CSS could be altered in such a way that this problem could occur. I looked at her CSS and luckily found that she only needed to make a very quick and easy change to her CSS code. I mailed her the solution.

If you have the time and patience, you should most definitely take the opportunity to learn HTML/CSS and have fun with your profile! But, always keep the customer in mind at the same time. If you will not be using the advanced capabilities from HTML/CSS, then simply stick with whatever is easy for you to do while keeping the profile enjoyable to the members as well as to yourself. It is just as important that you also like your own profile.

Isabella's profile is a great example of what I am talking about. What is important is that she took the time to make a very nice profile while making sure her members can easily understand something about herself and what she offers. You can tell that she put a lot of thought into her profile. I applaud her effort and the effort of anyone who puts in the time to make a great profile!

 

[Striker44]

^ This!!!

• Almost all of the profile is offset to the right. (You need to scroll far to the right to see the profile.)

This is a difficult one. I'd like to get a solution to this without having to completly take control with custom css.. that makes it more difficult to support I think. But because the "about me" is in a table that is offset anything you put in there graphic wise can go too far to the right. I guess if you put the graphics in a field that's bellow.. I think hobbies or something... that can help.. I do wish it was a little easier to work with the profiles.

 

[Dan N]

This is a difficult one. I'd like to get a solution to this without having to completly take control with custom css.. that makes it more difficult to support I think. But because the "about me" is in a table that is offset anything you put in there graphic wise can go too far to the right. I guess if you put the graphics in a field that's bellow.. I think hobbies or something... that can help.. I do wish it was a little easier to work with the profiles.

@Striker44
It is simple, easier.
Making the image responsive with help of... yes you are correct ... CSS.
There are two options, inline css or a custom class.
Inline css will look like this

<img src="image-url-here" style="display:block;width:100%;height:auto;" alt="bla bla bla"/>

With this piece of inline css the image will not exceed the About Me box resulting in that ugly bottom horizontal scroll.

The class (css version) is much more simpler/flexible/optional
CSS method -- add a custom class in advanced css box

.img-responsive{display:block;width:100%;height:auto;}

Using the class in HTML markup (to make the image responsive)

<img class="img-responsive" src="image-url-here" alt="bla bla bla"/>

You can assign this class to any image element you want without fear of changing them globaly


@asafo - finally... Yes...finally --- if I was to mention all that, I am "afraid" 80% models will jump ripping my head off.
I have a lot of tips but I am not able to post them as I'm not from the "trusted circle of fellow models-sisterhood" and I represent a web design service... you see my point

 

[gingerboozz]

Thank you so much everyone! I was able to do some simple text for now. I am working on getting photos together so I can have more on my page. Have already begun writing some simple html to spruce it up in the mean time!

 

[spacem0nky]

Thank you so much everyone! I was able to do some simple text for now. I am working on getting photos together so I can have more on my page. Have already begun writing some simple html to spruce it up in the mean time!

let me know if you need help. i have experience and have been trying to build a portfolio in the cam community. check my bio link to a page i am working on.

 

[Smores]

Inline css will look like this

<img src="image-url-here" style="display:block;width:100%;height:auto;" alt="bla bla bla"/>

With this piece of inline css the image will not exceed the About Me box resulting in that ugly bottom horizontal scroll.

Keeping in mind I have never tried to use HTML in the MFC profile before, how are we supposed to insert an image into any of the many multi-line textboxes that MFC supplies? Looking at "Hobbies" for example, if we want a single image to appear there is it enough to just insert an <IMG> tag on its own? What other tags do we need besides the <IMG> to activate HTML? When I just tried to insert an <IMG> on its own, MFC ignored the image and inserted the Alt text.

MFC's online documentation on this issue appears to be limited to the one line "You may customize your profile using normal HTML code to add music, videos, and more (just like MySpace). If you are not sure how to use HTML code, please read a tutorial on the Internet or ask a friend for help." Not very informative....

 

[Dan N]

Keeping in mind I have never tried to use HTML in the MFC profile before, how are we supposed to insert an image into any of the many multi-line textboxes that MFC supplies? Looking at "Hobbies" for example, if we want a single image to appear there is it enough to just insert an <IMG> tag on its own? What other tags do we need besides the <IMG> to activate HTML? When I just tried to insert an <IMG> on its own, MFC ignored the image and inserted the Alt text.

MFC's online documentation on this issue appears to be limited to the one line "You may customize your profile using normal HTML code to add music, videos, and more (just like MySpace). If you are not sure how to use HTML code, please read a tutorial on the Internet or ask a friend for help." Not very informative....

Well.... it's pretty simple.

<img src="https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/data/avatars/l/15/15784.jpg" alt="ACF Avatar"/>

alone <img> tag will do nothing as it has no closing tag and no source of the image.
Basic HTML 101
<img - opening HTML tag which informs the browser that this element must be rendered as an image
src - the source of the image element usually defined by full URL path
="your-image-here" - the URL full path of the hosted image. Always between double quotes (single quotes works too) and always ending with image extension like jpg , gif, png (.svg image format - will work too but not so much with MFC)
alt="image name" - alt attribute stands for alternate/alternative name, if the image is not displayed, broken url path or it takes to much to load on the page, the alt attribute is showing the text between double quotes (also visible when mouse pointer is over the image). Recommended for on page SEO too.
/> or simply > - closing tag is not optional... the image will not render correctly (or it will show a broken code) if the image HTML markup for this element is not properly closed.
Wrong markup:
<img>https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/data/avatars/l/15/15784.jpg</img>
<img url>https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/data/avatars/l/15/15784.jpg</img>
<img>https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/data/avatars/l/15/15784.jpg
[ IMG ]https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/data/avatars/l/15/15784.jpg[ / IMG ] <- works for forum boards like ACF because this format is BB code.

@gingerboozz - sorry we've "hijacked" your topic a bit

 

[Smores]

Well.... it's pretty simple.

<img src="https://www.ambercutie.com/forums/data/avatars/l/15/15784.jpg" alt="ACF Avatar"/>

alone <img> tag will do nothing as it has no closing tag and no source of the image.
Basic HTML 101
<img - opening HTML tag which informs the browser that this element must be rendered as an image
src - the source of the image element usually defined by full URL path
="your-image-here" - the URL full path of the hosted image. Always between double quotes (single quotes works too) and always ending with image extension like jpg , gif, png (.svg image format - will work too but not so much with MFC)
alt="image name" - alt attribute stands for alternate/alternative name, if the image is not displayed, broken url path or it takes to much to load on the page, the alt attribute is showing the text between double quotes (also visible when mouse pointer is over the image). Recommended for on page SEO too.
/> or simply > - closing tag is not optional... the image will not render correctly (or it will show a broken code) if the image HTML markup for this element is not properly closed.

Thanks this fixed it. What threw me off was this tutorial of HTML images that contains this description of the <img> tag: "The <img> tag is empty, it contains attributes only, and does not have a closing tag." It is strange that none of their examples include a closing tag....

And this <img> tag discussion is inline with the other parts of this thread, since Isabella's profile page showed the approach of relying heavily on custom image posters. It's only natural to then make sure to form the <img> tag correctly so you can insert those into the MFC profile.

 

[Dan N]

Thanks this fixed it. What threw me off was this tutorial of HTML images that contains this description of the <img> tag: "The <img> tag is empty, it contains attributes only, and does not have a closing tag." It is strange that none of their examples include a closing tag....

And this <img> tag discussion is inline with the other parts of this thread, since Isabella's profile page showed the approach of relying heavily on custom image posters. It's only natural to then make sure to form the <img> tag correctly so you can insert those into the MFC profile.

The tutorial is valid but you got it wrong.
The img tag doesn't use a closing tag but this <img (opening tag) and /> (closing tag). With or without backslash ... their affirmation is good because most HTML tags are using a specific closing tag like <div> some content </div> or <span> content here </span> or <p>some text here </p> but for images closing tags do not apply
<img src="url"></img> <-- this is what they are referring to .

Driven by logic, how the browser will render an image if we are using only <img> in HTML markup?
where is the image url path?
This brings me some old but funny memories... a collaborator, asked why their image don't show in their page... I've asked if she uploaded the image online and replace the default one between double quotes... her answer was something like, "Yes I have internet and my image is on my desktop" ....
I understand why the confusion
Some other HTML elements which don't use closing tags are <br> , <hr>
Best of luck.

 

[Smores]

The tutorial is valid but you got it wrong.
The img tag doesn't use a closing tag but this <img (opening tag) and /> (closing tag). With or without backslash ... their affirmation is good because most HTML tags are using a specific closing tag like <div> some content </div> or <span> content here </span> or <p>some text here </p> but for images closing tags do not apply
<img src="url"></img> <-- this is what they are referring to .

Driven by logic, how the browser will render an image if we are using only <img> in HTML markup?
where is the image url path?

The image url path was never in question. This was never about how to reference the image location. The tutorial is using the words "closing tag" in this case to mean the forward slash </img> closing tag, and that is what they are suggesting should not be used. Thanks for clarifying that.

My question is why does this tutorial not using the <img src="url".../> syntax that includes a closing mark? In the case of MFC profiles, that closing mark is what allowed the <img> tag to work. In the case of this tutorial, why was that optional?

 

[ramblin]

The image url path was never in question. This was never about how to reference the image location. The tutorial is using the words "closing tag" in this case to mean the forward slash </img> closing tag, and that is what they are suggesting should not be used. Thanks for clarifying that.

My question is why does this tutorial not using the <img src="url".../> syntax that includes a closing mark? In the case of MFC profiles, that closing mark is what allowed the <img> tag to work. In the case of this tutorial, why was that optional?

The basic XML is that you either open and close with <tag> and </tag> or you close within the tag itself with <tag/>. So <img src="url"/> and <br/> are already closed by the slash at the end of the tag. When HTML was first introduced, it was not strictly XML compliant, and allowed certain tags, including <img>, to not be closed at all, within or outside the tag. So you still see <img src="url"> and <br> for example on some pages, and most (pretty much all) browsers support it for backwards compatibility.

It sounds like MFC may be using a stricter XML parser than the browsers do, which is giving you unexpected results. If you stick to strict XML-compliant tags (which is good practice anyway), evidence so far says you'll be fine.

edit: missed the actual question at first, added answer

 

[Smores]

The basic XML is that you either open and close with <tag> and </tag> or you close within the tag itself with <tag/>. So <img src="url"/> and <br/> are already closed by the slash at the end of the tag. When HTML was first introduced, it was not strictly XML compliant, and allowed certain tags, including <img>, to not be closed at all, within or outside the tag. So you still see <img src="url"> and <br> for example on some pages, and most (pretty much all) browsers support it for backwards compatibility.

It sounds like MFC may be using a stricter XML parser than the browsers do, which is giving you unexpected results. If you stick to strict XML-compliant tags (which is good practice anyway), evidence so far says you'll be fine.

edit: missed the actual question at first, added answer

Perfect answer, and it explains the discrepancy. It does however make you wonder why a website that advertises itself as the world's largest web developer reference would make such an oversight.