mezzoblue: IconBuilder

By geoff, at 04:07:19 on 2007-09-03.

2007-09-03T04:07:19-08:00

The fact that icons even need to be built in different sizes is a sign of how lame OSes are. How about a vector format?

By Jina Bolton, at 22:01:17 on 2007-09-04.

2007-09-04T22:01:17-08:00

Geoff, I don't think this is necessarily an OS issue, but an aesthetic issue. While vector is ideal and keeps things at their same proportions, some colors and lines that would look nice, crisp and attractive at one size may look horrible scaled down or up. Sometimes you just have to make things more vibrant or more crisp depending on the scale.

By kb, at 03:48:56 on 2007-09-05.

2007-09-05T03:48:56-08:00

If it's only 1 icon in a year and only for 1 platform, then there are much cheaper and easier tools that will do the job and give you a satisfactory result. As a professional, you have no choice, this is the one, the only one.

By Tom, at 05:01:47 on 2007-09-06.

2007-09-06T05:01:47-08:00

I found that with this process, IconBuilder Pro makes importing files and creating icons a breeze. One of the key features of OS X icons is their ability to scale smoothly at any size. I like that IconBuilder provides specific settings and tools that take the drudgery out of the process of applying scalability, transparency, and shadow features to newly created icons. Although you need at least a basic knowledge of Photoshop to take advantage of all the settings and tools, I like that IconBuilder does come with well-written tutorials and a user manual that clearly explains the operations. Overall, users who are well versed in Photoshop and who wish to create Mac OS X icons should definitely check out this program. Regards

By Roma, at 09:28:02 on 2007-09-06.

2007-09-06T09:28:02-08:00

I use Icon Builder and make icons for my mac all of the time. when i set the plug in for making xp compatable icon files (with a .ico file name) it will export a file, but when i copy it over to my xp machine it looks correct in Icon view in an explorer window, but if i put it on the desktop ithe icon gets cropped (always from the top right if that means anything), anyone can help me ?

By Nick La, at 23:48:36 on 2007-09-08.

2007-09-08T23:48:36-08:00

Dave,

Have you tried combining the multi-layers (icon psds) into a Smart Object layer and align them with the IconBuilder's grid? Then, you can turn on/off individual smart object layer to export various sizes with IconBuilder or you can use Photoshop CS3's Script > Export Layers to Files.

By ADAC, at 09:12:37 on 2007-09-13.

2007-09-13T09:12:37-08:00

Great post and comments.

I don't do icons that frequently so I generally do it with the software I have available which is photoshop.

From the comments it would appear that Iconbuilder would only be worth getting (and learning) if I started to do this on a very regular basis. Feel free to correct me if I took the comments wrong.

By Mark, at 08:44:31 on 2007-10-15.

2007-10-15T08:44:31-08:00

Great write up. I have always found Iconographer to do the job fantastically and it is on the cheap which is also nice.

By Lynne, at 08:22:12 on 2007-10-28.

2007-10-28T08:22:12-08:00

IconBuilder Pro is the easiest tool to learn because the examples and tutorials are top notch. And while I realize that not everyone has experience with Photoshop, it is pretty much the defacto standard for graphics applications.

By greg, at 17:27:04 on 2008-02-11.

2008-02-11T17:27:04-08:00

Um, I realize this thread might be fairly dead, but I would like to bump it and reference the vector or not post above...

I think that it is time to start thinking vector whether you like the quality of it or not. Pixel graphics are not going to easily translate onto high dpi displays... seems like no big deal now, but vector svg is there for the using so my personal process is to do the primary icon design as a vector. adding a SVG variant to the ico bundle would be clutch.