Question about making icons

Text in an icon is illegible.

http://www.jniendorf.com/PU.zip
from Stardock Forums
Hi Guys,

I looked through the Object Desktop documentation and the online tutorial but still have a couple of questions.

I think I understand how to create an icon from an image, but:

1. There are many sizes of icons 16x16, 32x32, 48x48. Are all of these sizes saved in the icon file?
2. Will Windows choose the correct icon size if I save the new icon in the standard formats? That is will Windows choose to display a 32x32 as opposed to 16x16 under Windows XP at the resolution of 1280x1024
3. Is there a way to have the text of an icon appear legibly? Specifically I am trying to make an icon from the Purdue logo.

I'zipped the original JPEG as well as the icon I made. I uploaded the zip file to my server at the external link specified in this post. I'd appreciate any advice you could give me.

Thank you,

John
icondeveloper
9,138 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
unless I'm wrong:

1. yes - if the .ico was made with those sizes included
2. if your icons are set to 32 and 32 is in the .ico - yes. Else, maybe - depending on the icon size you're attempting to use, XP may decide to use another size and 'resize' it visually
3. text on an icon can be be difficult to work with = i took your icon and used it on another file == with the folder set to 'icon view' it's really really small and unreadable / with the folder set to 'thumbnail view' I can read Purdue, but not university == I can read everything using the .ico on Objectdock

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you for your help.
Do you have any suggestions for creating a Purdue logo icon that would be readable? or should I give up the idea of using this text?
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Do a google image search for Purdue.  I found a large gif with a train on it.  Save it somewhere.
Mine was a gif, i opened in paint.net and saved as a png.
I then fired up Icon Developer (part of ODNT) and had it convert the image to an ico.
It asked me what sizes I wanted to include in the ico and I seleced a bunnch.
Save as ico and BAM!  done!

The image you inclluded isn't the best icon making material. 
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you for the quick and helpful reply. Sorry to be such a newbie

John
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
no reason to be sorry. everyone starts out as a newbie.

Z's got it... use a png to start

also with a program like paint.net (it's free) or gimp (also free) you can practice creating your own png using a pic for reference - start big = no smaller than 512x512