Icons

[stormbind]

I don't need help with the images, but I'm seeking guidance on converting images into icons.

1) I know that the *.ico is a renamed *.bmp
2) I know the system pallet is not optimised
3) I know the sizes should be 16x16, 32x32 or 64x64 pixels

I make my image, convert it to a 32x32 pixel square with 256 colour (system pallet) and save as BMP. Then rename to ICO and I get rubbish!

The background, which was expected to be transparent comes out black and conversion to system pallet could have looked much smoother.

Tips and advice would be much appreciated!

 

[funxus]

1) I'm not sure. I know you can use them in Windows, but they can't e.g. be used as an icon when making programs in Visual Basic.
3) IIRC it's 16x16, 32x32 and 48x48.

My tip would be to get a real Icon creator program. I think you can find a fairly good one for free on ww.download.com or similar. Such a program might also allow you to have icons of different sizes in the same file. I usually use MS Visual C++ as icon creator.

If you decide to look for another program and find a good one, please tell us which.

 

[Ankka]

Microangelo is a very good icon creator program, but you can only use it 30 days for free.

 

[Mariusz]

IrfanView can save any picture as *.ico.

 

[stormbind]

Thanks all!

I downloaded Easy Icon Maker (best rated on download.com) and it works. Just need to copy & paste the bitmap from one program to the other because it only supports the *.ico format.

Now I'm having problems putting a smooth edge on the icon. Some in Windows appear, emphasis on appearance only, to have translucent dropshadows and I don't know how they created that effect (on any colour backgound) - suggestions?

 

[funxus]

Now I'm having problems putting a smooth edge on the icon. Some in Windows appear, emphasis on appearance only, to have translucent dropshadows and I don't know how they created that effect (on any colour backgound) - suggestions?

I've never seen translucent colors on icons, if you mean as in not totally transparent, just shining through a little. Could you give an example?

 

[stormbind]

Well, they just always seem to have smooth edges, regardless of the background colour.

 

[funxus]

From looking at the icons included in windows XP, I see most of them come in an old version, modern version with 256 colors, and a modern version with 16 million colors. Maybe the 16 million color version has these features?

I searched google, and I found this program called ArtIcons 3.26 pro (30 day trial), which allows you to make icons in True-color (24-bit) and an 8-bit alpha channel. I guess that's what you're looking for.