Designing & Packaging Icons

Well you can do it in both really, Photoshop or a Vector based program but I always build the icon large 256x256 mostly then run the png's through Icon Developer.



This is just a simple icon that was done in Photoshop.

It just depends how your icon program resamples the image weither it be softer or sharper looking as it gets smaller.

Then when your Icons are ready just run Icon Packager, from View/Package Builder and start adding your icons and it will save it all into the ICL. Add more Icons to it later from loading the package, change and add more till your happy on how it looks.
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Vf, I really appreciate your reply! Very nice icon by the way

Was that a vector image in Photoshop, vf, or was it a regular image?

It just depends how your icon program resamples the image weither it be softer or sharper looking as it gets smaller.

This is a point that should not be overlooked. The algorithm used to resize/resample your image can make a huge difference in the quality of the smaller sizes. I have tried Microangelo and Icon BuilderXP, but I'm now using Icon Developer by Stardock and have been very happy with the results. But even with that app, I find myself doing some tweaking of images.

As a general rule, I think Icon Developer does a great job, but depending on the geometry, hue, saturation and contrast in the original image, some images fare better resized in Icon Developer than others. Actually, I found that true with all the icon creation software I have tried so far. I have even on occasion resorted to using other apps for resizing some of the smaller images so I could use a different resampling algorithm.

The bicubic and bilinear resampling in Paint Shop Pro work very well with small images that have low contrast or gradient fills that you want to try and preserve. Irfanview, though freeware, also has som terrific resampling tools included in it.

I disagree with vf on one point, though. As a general rule, I think 256 x 256 is too large a size to use as the base image. I think that the step-down from that size to 16 x 16 is just too large for any resampling/resizing process to still have a satisfactory image. Perhaps it's just me, but I also think that the temptation is too great to over-detail the image on that large a canvas, and as a result the disappointment in the quality of the much smaller sizes is too frustrating.
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Shameless Designs, you make some very good points and the tips you stressed proved to be very valuable when I resized my icons earlier this evening. I purchased Icon Builder but have since started to use Icon Developer by Stardock. I'm very satisfied with the ease of use and functionality of the program. I however didn't see a tremendous difference in quality as far as down sizing goes perhaps it's because of the icon I'm resizing. I've decided to stick to 128x128 as my base image because as you stated, it's too easy and quite tempting to over saturate the icon with detail that won't even show up after being sized down.

I look forward to hearing from more people and look forward to seeing some icons from me soon.

Thanks Guys.

Ok, just a follow up post. I designed the My Computer icon and resized it using the following dimensions: 32x32 (WinXP), 128x128(WinXP), 96x96(WinXP), 64x64(WinXP), 48x48(WinXP), 16x16(WinXP) and 16x16(256 Colors). When I begin compiling my package of icons in Icon Packager, will I have to add each dimension of the same icon individually? For example, will I have to add all 7 My Computer icons to the package with different dimensions, or will the one .ICO file support all of the dimensions? I apologize for my ignorance on the topic, this is my first day actually doing something with the icon designs.

#3 by Developer joetheblow - 3/19/2004 10:36:07 PM Was that a vector image in Photoshop, vf, or was it a regular image?

No it isn't a Vector, standard rectangle and Paths.

Shows how it was quickly built up.

#6 by stoavio - 3/20/2004 12:05:36 AM Ok, just a follow up post. I designed the My Computer icon and resized it using the following dimensions: 32x32 (WinXP), 128x128(WinXP), 96x96(WinXP), 64x64(WinXP), 48x48(WinXP), 16x16(WinXP) and 16x16(256 Colors). When I begin compiling my package of icons in Icon Packager, will I have to add each dimension of the same icon individually? For example, will I have to add all 7 My Computer icons to the package with different dimensions, or will the one .ICO file support all of the dimensions? I apologize for my ignorance on the topic, this is my first day actually doing something with the icon designs.

No when you convert the png to ico it holds all sizes and colour depth to the ico no need to add 7 seperate icon sizes. You can also add custom sizes and remove 256 colours which personally the 256 colours look cheesy so I took them out. Which is alright if you run XP but im sure if the older OS users like your icons they wil be demanding 256 versions.

Strange, I posted a rather lengthy post earlier and it doesn't appear to have saved it. Anyway, I appreciate all the help from everyone. Vf, I've removed the icons with 256 colors, thanks for the tip. I might follow up with a preview later this week.

Regards