How do I Create a Mac Icon?
Most computers today use icons as image links to folders and directories. These icons are images, usually a representation of what the link connects with. Mac computers' "Hard Drive" icon features a small three-dimensional image of a hard drive. The recycle bin's icon is a wire bin. All these icons are default, but some owners want to change it up. For a customizable Mac computer, some owners have taken to designing their own icons. Whether you're an artist or not, creating your own icons is fast and easy.
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Instructions
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Creating the Icon
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If you already have a picture you would like to use, open the file in Adobe Photoshop and crop/resize the image to 128x128 pixels and save. If you are making it yourself, designing the icon is up to your artistic vision, but keep a small field of transparency around the image.
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Once you have your 128x128 image, go to "File >> Save As." Choose to save as a .TIFF "as a copy" and with "layers unchecked."
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Under the TIFF option pop-up, choose "Image Compression: NONE," and Discard Layers. Save a Copy. Click "Save Transparency" because most icons are not perfect squares.
Using the Programs
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After successfully downloading Xcode (Developer Tools), open the Xcode folder and choose Applications and then Utilities. Open the program.
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The interface of the application is designed for easy loading, so just drag your image into the large box at the bottom. If prompted with "extract mask," choose yes. Make sure to save as an .icns file.
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Using the .incs files (and not the .tiff), drag them into CandyBar (another program tool downloaded with Xcode). From there drag the respective icons to your choice of icon. The straightforward and simple program will set everything up.
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Tips & Warnings
The icons are 128x128 pixels, but you might want to invest the time to specially redesign icons for the smaller 40x40 pixel size, as well as the two smaller versions all Macs use. This will keep the icons similar but at their best.
If an image is scaled down to the smallest icon size, details can be lost.
Some other methods are quicker but offer less desirable results, as well as possibility of pixelation and general lower quality.
References
- Photo Credit abstract icons image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
