icon transparency

from WinCustomize Forums
I'm trying to create some windows xp style 32 bit icons (with transparency) and I'm following the instructions I've found at various websites. I'm creating the icons in Photoshop, then importing to Gif movie gear, but it seems no matter what I do or what setting I choose the icons always end up looking aliased and junky. That's because I can get transparency, but not the 8 bit transparency that gives the icon a nice anti-aliased edge no matter what background it's set against.

What am I overlooking?

wincustomize
1,423 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Why are you using Gif Movie Gear? You should be using an icon editor. GIF does not support more than a single color for transparency.



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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well, GMG does claim to be able to save 32 bit icons.

Still, I have also tried IconXP and saving as an icon and I get the same results. Supporting more than one colour of transparency (or maybe it's more than one level of transparency?) is what I'm looking for. I want to be able to import a PSD or PNG-24 and have the program understand that the edges of my icons should be fuzzy and not one solid colour.

What program do you use to make icons that have the nice anti-aliased edges like the stock windows XP icons? (and is there a better tutorial than Microsoft's on the web?)

(maybe should have asked this question first )
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Didn't know GMG would do that. But since you have the same problem with 2 seperate programs, I'm wondering if your PNGs are the problem.
Are you creating the images with anti-aliasing? Are they on a transparent background? How are you saving them, before you import?


I use IconWorkshop, but you might want to try Stardock's IconDeveloper. 





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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok, let's see... I'm sure my images are anti-aliased in Photoshop. I have tried importing with a transparent background and also no background. I save them by going 'save for web' in photoshop then choosing png-24 as the file setting. Either that or I try to import the PSD file directly into GMG or IconXP. IconXP only lets you import one layer of PSD. GMG lets you import PSD files, and they look proper, in the preview, but when saving the icon file (.ico) they seem to lose their alpha channel.

I'm sure that i'm being STOOPID somehow, as this should be simple. Yet here I am. Begging for assistance. And thanks btw for taking pity on me

Also I will check out the programs you mentioned.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You are using XP, right?