Custom ICO - Transparent?

[RobertB]

Is it possible to have any transparency when placing a custom .ico file in the custom projects settings? I have a .png file but Infranview does not recognize png for transparency. I also downloaded a program called IconEdit3.2 and it does not like .png.

What's a guy2do?:o

[Corey]

I'm not following, are you asking how to make a transparent .ico file?

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[RobertB]

I guess....if the the graphic is not perfectly square, then I have some transparent areas around the graphic. Everything I have done thus far does not show the transparency.

[JimS]

Here’s a couple icons of your Iceman Avatar. They use transparency. I used IconXP to make them, but most icon makers should work. I’m not sure why you’re having trouble.

[Corey]

Icons can contain transparency. You need to build your icon using some sort of icon builder such as my fave Microangelo or any of the others out there, or one of the many photoshop plug-ins which allow you to create your icons directly in Photoshop.

Attached is a test icon, try it out and let me know if it works. I have been working on my icon and cursor building skills intermittently but I'm so-so still. I did this directly in Photoshop using the IconBuilder XP plug-in from here http://iconfactory.com/iconbuilder.asp defintely worth the $100 it cost. (CAN) Anyhow test it out and let us know...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[JimS]

Sorry about the quality, that was just a quick sample to help assure you it can be done. What do you want the icon of? Can you post or send me the picture? I can probable convert it to an icon pretty quickly for you. Icons are square they come in different sizes, 16X16, 24X24, 32X32, 48X48, or 64X64 pixels. Since the output will be square, I usually try to start with a square picture, though most icon makers I’ve used let you start with a non square picture, and add a border to make it square. Let me know if I can help.

I second Corey's recomendation on Microangelo. I think it's the best too. I haven't got around to loading it up on this machine yet though, so I just used what I got. Microangelo is a great prog though.

[RobertB]

Originally posted by Corey
Icons can contain transparency. You need to build your icon using some sort of icon builder such as my fave Microangelo or any of the others out there, or one of the many photoshop plug-ins which allow you to create your icons directly in Photoshop.

Attached is a test icon, try it out and let me know if it works. I have been working on my icon and cursor building skills intermittently but I'm so-so still. I did this directly in Photoshop using the IconBuilder XP plug-in from here http://iconfactory.com/iconbuilder.asp defintely worth the $100 it cost. (CAN) Anyhow test it out and let us know...

Your did work corey....i am not sure what my problem is....??? But, I am at home now...will try again tomorrow...

Jim, if I am working with a square space...I realize I can get around the transparency issue...but, ultimately I will create my own CD-ROM icon.

Thanks gents...

[Corey]

Ok then it's just an icon issue. There's a couple options but if you're looking for a serious long term solution to icon design then I find a plug-in for your favorite host image editor is the way to go.

So in other words Microangelo is wonderful but once I caked out the 100 beans for the IconBuilder XP Photoshop Plug-In it made a big difference to me in terms of being able to do everything in Photoshop. If you use Photoshop you should try the demo, it's very easy to use. For example that icon I posted, all I had to do was:

1. In photoshop create a new document, fill a circular selection.
2. Engage IconBuilder plug-in press the add arrow and press done.

It all happened in about 1 minute from cold start of Photoshop to shut down of the app. For me that's the big selling point. There's also a free icon and cursor file format plug-in for photoshop at the Dragonfly site (google it) which works great. Since it's a file format plug-in though there's no snazzy GUI but it works...

That was a nice offer JimS. Cool.. :)

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[RobertB]

Corey...your testimonial is gold. So, I purchased the prog....looks grand...thanks!

[Corey]

Yeah, at first I thought it was a little pricey but I'm happy with it now. :)

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)