Application Icons for Object Dock
Wednesday, December 31, 2003 by JeffBDVS | Discussion: Stardock Software
As you have no doubt discovered, standsrd 32x32 applicaion icons look, ahem, not so good in OD when they are magnified on mouseover. I have some system icons that some very talented people here have created at 128x128 that look terrific in OD, and they sit just down the bar from the app icons. Which makes the app icons look even worse.
What is the "best" way to get app icons to look better in OD? I tried upsampling in Icon Developer using the various algorithms; I also tried upsampling in PS7 (in steps with the Unsharp Mask filter applied between steps). Neither method works all that well. The only way out I see at this point is for me to create a 128x128 png image from scratch in PS that resembles the app icons and then import that into Icon Developer. But that sort of defeats the "money for nothing, chicks for free" method of icon creation that is the promise of ID.
Jeff
What is the "best" way to get app icons to look better in OD? I tried upsampling in Icon Developer using the various algorithms; I also tried upsampling in PS7 (in steps with the Unsharp Mask filter applied between steps). Neither method works all that well. The only way out I see at this point is for me to create a 128x128 png image from scratch in PS that resembles the app icons and then import that into Icon Developer. But that sort of defeats the "money for nothing, chicks for free" method of icon creation that is the promise of ID.
Jeff
JeffBDVS
Reply #2 Thursday, January 1, 2004 12:26 AM
http://skinning.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=961
[Message Edited]
Reply #2 Thursday, January 1, 2004 12:26 AM
| But I doubt it was meant to just spit out new icons with no effort involved |
http://skinning.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=961
[Message Edited]
JeffBDVS
Reply #4 Thursday, January 1, 2004 12:39 AM
Reply #4 Thursday, January 1, 2004 12:39 AM
Did you read the article? How much easier could icon creation get?
Koasati
Reply #5 Thursday, January 1, 2004 1:37 AM
Reply #5 Thursday, January 1, 2004 1:37 AM
Yes, I read it, and ID sounds a lot like IconWorkshop, but my point is, youre going to have to find an existing image that fits your needs first. Maybe you don't care about alpha blending, and in that case it won't be as hard to find something. 
But your original question is about turning a 32x32 icon into a nice looking 128x128 icon, and that's just not possible. I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm trying to let you know ID is not a magic wand.
But your original question is about turning a 32x32 icon into a nice looking 128x128 icon, and that's just not possible. I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm trying to let you know ID is not a magic wand.
kongit
Reply #6 Thursday, January 1, 2004 1:51 AM
Reply #6 Thursday, January 1, 2004 1:51 AM
almost all apps have larger icons somewhere. the trick is to know where to look. if you post some of the apps that you want icons for maybe I can help
JeffBDVS
Reply #7 Thursday, January 1, 2004 2:16 AM
Reply #7 Thursday, January 1, 2004 2:16 AM
Thanks, CT.
Adobe: Photoshop, After Effects, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Album, Premiere Pro, Encore DVD
Ulead: Cool3d or Cool3D Prod. Studio
Nero; Goldwave; SonicFire Pro; Scansoft PaperPort
I know that's a long list, but any help you could give in pointing me to larger/similar icons would be great. My aim is to start with one or two and gradually work up; I expect I'll be into PS or RealDraw Pro before too long trying to copy/interpret some of these icons.
Happy New Year to all!
Jeff
Adobe: Photoshop, After Effects, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Album, Premiere Pro, Encore DVD
Ulead: Cool3d or Cool3D Prod. Studio
Nero; Goldwave; SonicFire Pro; Scansoft PaperPort
I know that's a long list, but any help you could give in pointing me to larger/similar icons would be great. My aim is to start with one or two and gradually work up; I expect I'll be into PS or RealDraw Pro before too long trying to copy/interpret some of these icons.
Happy New Year to all!
Jeff
kongit
Reply #8 Thursday, January 1, 2004 3:07 AM
Reply #8 Thursday, January 1, 2004 3:07 AM
You just need to know how to look. Most of them are here I think
First make sure they are not in these awesome packs by pixel pirate:
A-D: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29&SkinID=1988
E-M: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29&SkinID=1989
N-Z: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29&SkinID=1990
Adobe: lots here https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?wp=1&sort=updatedate&searchtext=Adobe&order=Descending&library=29
Ulead Cool3d: sorry haven't any good ones yet
Nero: lots
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?searchtext=nero&sort=updatedate&order=Descending&library=29
Goldwave: I never heard of this and I haven't found any yet
Scansoft: Again none yet.
If I find some of the ones missing I be sure to post them here
First make sure they are not in these awesome packs by pixel pirate:
A-D: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29&SkinID=1988
E-M: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29&SkinID=1989
N-Z: https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=29&SkinID=1990
Adobe: lots here https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?wp=1&sort=updatedate&searchtext=Adobe&order=Descending&library=29
Ulead Cool3d: sorry haven't any good ones yet
Nero: lots
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?searchtext=nero&sort=updatedate&order=Descending&library=29
Goldwave: I never heard of this and I haven't found any yet
Scansoft: Again none yet.
If I find some of the ones missing I be sure to post them here
JeffBDVS
Reply #9 Thursday, January 1, 2004 8:45 AM
Reply #9 Thursday, January 1, 2004 8:45 AM
Okay, I'm an idiot. I went to the "ObjectDock" library long before I posted the first time and scrolled through all the way back to early last year. I never saw the Gloss packages from your links. I must have had one or more of the filters selected. I also searched on "application", "programs" and "system". I didn't try "Adobe". Doh.
Thanks for the tips. Hopefully I'll get the hang of this site before my subscription runs out!
Jeff
Thanks for the tips. Hopefully I'll get the hang of this site before my subscription runs out!
Jeff
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Reply #1 Wednesday, December 31, 2003 11:58 PM
I haven't really used it, but I'm under the impression that IconDeveloper is for tweaking existing icons, even combining icons. But I doubt it was meant to just spit out new icons with no effort involved.