3D Cartoon Avatars: 9 Easy Websites to 'Cartoonize' Yourself for Profile Pictures

Online social networking has grown rapidly. Millions now display their lives openly for others to see. You, however, are perhaps reluctant. You may want friends to identify you without showing too much. Or maybe you just want to be fun and unique. But how?

Enter 3D cartoon avatars. No, not the movie, but rather a cartoon profile picture based upon your real life portrait.. in a format that you can easily post to your Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or other profile.

The following websites make creating your own 3D avatar very simple. They are:

• Web based (little or no download, widely compatible)
• Easy to use (simple buttons and scrollers)
• Self Publishing (let you download or send right to your profile)

So without further ado, here are 9 easy websites to 'cartoonize yourself' for profile pictures.

Evolver lets you create life like 3D representations of yourself based upon a head shot portrait, and customize your looks as much as you want. Your finished picture can then display just your face or your entire body. You can even animate yourself.

When you're done, Evolver lets you save multiple avatars to your free account. You can then publish directly to your favorite social networks, or download for your own use.

Website: www.evolver.com and www.avatara.com

Similar to Evolver, 3DVia lets you build your own 3D likenesses with a real picture of yourself. And again, it has tools for customizing. 3DVia also lets you publish to Facebook with a single click.

3DVia also lets you create games, programs, and contribute to an online 3d world. These items are easily ignored, however, if you just want a basic avatar.

Website: http://www.3dvia.com/

Meez let's you create a cartoonish, but still 3D avatar using simple online tools. You can represent yourself realistically or ideally. Meez tends to be simpler, faster than the first two, but also less realistic.

Website: http://www.meez.com

MyAvatarEditor lets you create funny cartoon avatars for your profile. Its options are simple, quick, and allow many variations. Give yourself an unusual expression, style, or physique for entertainment value.

Website: http://www.myavatareditor.com/

The official website of The Simpson's Movie let's you create custom avatars in the likeness of The Simpson's cartoons. There is a surprising level of customization available, yet every avatar is unmistakably Simpson's.

Website: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html

Digibody's caricatures (exaggerated figures) have a 'hand drawn' black and white appearance. Definitely a must if you're looking for a simple, cartoonish, humorous twist to your personal appearance. One of the easiest tools to use.

Website: http://digibody.com/avatar-maker/index.php

DoppelMe is perhaps the simplest avatar creator yet. A full figure multi color cartoon with presets for appearance. You can also create a free account to save your avatar and access more advanced features.

Website: http://www.doppelme.com/

Create simple cartoonish, emotional depictions of yourself with Picassohead to share on social networks. These are head-shot only avatars, and you can create a free account to save your work.

Website: http://www.picassohead.com

Digimi is a realistic 3D avatar studio that puts your face on any body - depicting yourself as anyone you wish. Body builder, dancer, sports enthusiast, scientist, et cetera. As such, these are whole body avatars. Sharing your 3d avatar on social networks is also slightly more complex as you must copy the image and then upload manually.

Website: http://gizmoz.com/ and http://www.digimi.com

Whichever design you choose, 3D cartoon avatars are a great way to represent yourself online. From professional to funny and fantastical, there's something to fit any taste.

Click for more online avatar creators and how to information..