Icon-A-Day, Icon # 25, My Pictures Folder

The Last of the "My" Folders. 11:54pm. Made it in :)

from WinCustomize Forums
Icon 25 (My Pictures Folder)

    It's a bit late tonight, but I promised the My Pictures Folder today, and I don't want to make a liar of myself. So lets get moving before time runs out.
 
Step 1:

First thing first, we copy our Open Folder icon.
Step 2:

Now I want to have some photos in the folder, and a brush in front, leaning on the folder. This should match the My Music and My Video folder and help us keep a consistent style.
I mock these up with some rectangles and the mesh tool.

 Step 3:

Once I am happy with the overall layout of my elements, I go in with the mesh tool and start doing some details. See the Mesh Fill Video for more on how I do this.

 
Step 4:

Once I have my brush looking ok, I give the brush handle some gloss; (See Gloss video for more on this)

 Step 5:

I want the brush to be trailing some paint, so I use the mesh tool to give myself a blob of paint trailing off the brush head.

 Step 6:

Now, most people will use this folder for Photos so lets make some. I take some pictures that I stole from the Galactic Civilizations Artwork folder. Using the Node edit tool I crop them so they fit on our Photo shapes I have already done.
Step 7:

Using basic drawing techniques I make a border for the Photos, as well as corners to make them look a bit more stylized.

 Step 8:

Now using the Drop Shadow Techniques we have gone over I make some drop shadows for the brush, to make it look a bit more realistic.

 Step 9:

Now using the Reflection Techniques we have used before, I make a subtle reflection on the folder, and one on the floor in front of the folder.
Finished Icon Image

Click here to download the finished icon.
 

Tomorrow we will try a more obscure, but important none-the-less, folder, so check back in then.

Read the other Icon-A-Day Articles: Icon # 1, Icon # 2, Icon #3, Icon # 4, Icon #5, Icon # 6, Icon # 7, Icon # 8, Icon # 9, Icon #10, Icon # 11. Icon 12 & 13, Icon # 14, Icon # 15, Icon # 16, Icon #17, Icon #18, Icon # 19, Icon #20, Icon # 21, Icon # 22. Icon #22, Icon # 23, Icon # 24.

CorelDRAW for Skinners.
Part 1: Mesh Tool 101 & Gloss 101
Part 2: Drop Shadows 101 & Reflections 101
Part 3: Part 3: Exporting 101, Contour & Line 101

And don't forget to check for all the Icon-A-Day icons as they get made, in the Miscellaneous Icons Gallery at Wincustomize.com
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11,448 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice icon i like it.

I've seen the CorelDRAW for skiners videos and i liked the brake apart technique.
Is there any way to brake appart the shadows from any object in Photoshop CS?
Or a way to just edit the shadow of an object?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Boo-yah! Loving these articles. Great work incorporating techniques used in the videos! Thanks for taking time to do these vids, and these icons. I, personally, cant wait for the complete package!
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
you're on a roll...........
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Another great lesson and another great icon... And everything done 'quickly'... What else to say