An explanation of the skin update:
In 14w03b, further customization to skins was added. This gives us two new great abilities. We now have the ability to have different limbs, so we can now make proper Edward Elric or Mega Man skins, due to their limbs being different on each side. We also now have the ability to include a hat layer to each part of the body, to make things pop out and look really amazing. However, the skin format has changed, and new things had to be added to it to make these awesome looking changes.

The new format:
The image size is now 64x64, previously 64x32. This new image size gives us that extra space for the new features. I'll go through the layout with you in a list to help familiarize yourself.
- Head, top left corner
- Head hat layer, top right corner
- Body, below the right side of the head
- Body hat layer, below the body
- Right arm, to the right of the body and below the head hat layer
- Right arm hat layer, below the right arm
- Right leg, to the left of the body and below the left side of the head
- Right leg hat layer, below the right leg
- Left leg hat layer, bottom left corner
- Left leg, to the right of the left leg hat layer
- Left arm, the the right of the left leg hat layer
- Left arm hat layer, to the right of the left arm
These are all of our body parts. Now it's time to get a template and start skinning!

Template:
A great template is one made by Paril testing the new format, which can be downloaded from here: http://www.planetminecraft.com/skin/14w03a-test/

Make your skin:
Doodle whatever you want on your skin with whatever program (most skin programs aren't updated just yet, try using gimp or paint.net). Be creative, I had a lot of fun making a skin with this. When you get to the left limbs, take a look right beneath this paragraph.

How to use the left limbs:
Your left leg and arm are not the same as your right limbs, they are actually mirrored. You need to point the brightest shade towards the opposite side that it would be on your right limbs. For example if I had this right arm:



and I wanted to make it a left, it would have to end up looking like this:



You should do the same thing for the limb layers.

That's it!:
I believe that's all you need to know. If you have any suggestions/edits, put 'em in a reply. I am looking forward to seeing all of your creative skins!

One more thing:
Yes, you can still use the old skin format after this update. It may not look as cool, but it still works. Anyways, thanks for reading.