Author Topic: Suggest an Icon Editor (Read 30,513 times)

hamradio · « **on:** March 16, 2006, 08:04 AM »

I will be doing a review in the coming months on Icon Editors and I would like to have some input on which you think should be in it. I have the below icon editors so far on the possible list.

The below are confirmed so far and should be in the review when finished.

AWicons Pro - CommercialAxialis IconWorkshop Corporate Edition - CommercialIconCool Studio - CommercialIconLover - CommercialMicroangelo Toolset - CommercialLiquidIcon XP Editor - Free

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2006, 10:33 AM »

I am using IconLover (http://www.aha-soft.com/index.htm) which seems to have replaced ArtIcons Pro (I got it as a free upgrade).

Actually I am using it as part of their IconUtils pack.

Actually I say I am using but actually it is more a case of it is installed and occasionally I remember it is there when I want to do something with an icon (rare).

Actually .... that was really good English ... n'est pas?

AbteriX · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2006, 04:56 PM »

Hi ham,

i didn't do often icon art
but here are a few freeware apps i know
in case you nedd a few suggestions:

ICON LiquidIcon XP - http://www.x2studios.com/index.php?page=products&id=11
Icon PixelToolbox 1.1 - http://www.axiomx.com/free_software.htm
Icon SnIco Edit 2.0 - http://www.snidesoft.com/index.html
icon sushi - http://www.towofu.net/soft-e/
IconArt v2.0 - http://www.conware-pro.com/products/ia/about.php

jgpaiva · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2006, 05:02 PM »

I never do many icon projects, but i've tried using The Gimp, and it handles icon creation quite well.
I'm not sure how well it can be integrated in that list.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2006, 05:52 PM »

There is a free plugin for Adobe PhotoShop (full versions and Elements) and PaintShop Pro that allows you to Open and Save ICO files in those programmes. Ot's called ICOFormat and is available at http://www.telegraphics.com.au/ so if you have an app that can use PS plugins you don't need a separate editor.

pexplorer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2006, 05:45 PM »

You may also want to consider adding AWicons Pro to your list:

http://www.heaventools.com/AWicons-icon-editor.htm

.

hamradio · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2006, 06:38 PM »

Added AWicons Pro and looking at a few of the free ones to include too.

pexplorer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2006, 08:53 PM »

Quote from: hamradio on March 17, 2006, 06:38 PM

Added AWicons Pro

Great. Check your mailbox for the AWicons review copy as per your request.

tinyvillager · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2006, 02:32 AM »

Here are a couple more...i know nothing about them,just found'em.(both shareware btw)

Icon cool studio (and other versions)
http://www.iconcool.com/

RealWorld Icon Editor looks pretty groovy by just looking at it
http://www.rw-designer.com/3D_icon_editor.php

On a side note i've seen alot of forum postings post about
Axialis IconWorkshop being really good.

NewKreation · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2006, 03:41 PM »

Don't forget my current favorite freebie, IconCraft.

http://www.iconempire.com/iconcraft/index.htm

hamradio · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2006, 05:09 AM »

Hmmm...Icon Empire and Aha-Soft seem to be one in the same...as they got the same design looks and the same postal address on the support page. By the way, I will look into Icon Cool Studio.

app103 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2006, 03:27 AM »

Definately include Microangelo. I have been a user & fan of that software since the old version 2x. It's not just for icon creation....does animated cursors as well. (And a whole bunch of other neat tricks that would be fun even for people that have no use for an icon creator)

vlastimil · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2006, 10:19 AM »

Hi, if you choose to review RealWorld Icon Editor (the one with 3D support), please let me know at vlastimil.miler at gmail.com

I can get you some inside info

worth the effort

tinyvillager · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2006, 12:07 AM »

I'm cut right down the middle between Realworld Icon Editor and Axialis IconWorkshop,
but Realworld Icon Editor's installer gets on my nerves,when i try to move it's shortcut to
another folder on the start menu and then click on it from it's new location,it reinstalls.

vlastimil · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2006, 08:15 AM »

... funny problem. When you move the shortcuts, the installer detects that vital files are missing and repairs the installation.

But I see your point - it will be fixed in next version.

mouser · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2006, 08:25 AM »

is this a microsoft installer based thing?
(this is one of the reasons i loathe microsoft installer)

yes, it's very important to disable this repair of shortcuts, it makes managing the start menu very difficult.

vlastimil · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2006, 08:34 AM »

partially, each file has an attribute indicating whether it is vital for the app or not. It is enabled by default for those internet shortcuts.

tinyvillager · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2006, 10:10 PM »

I think it is a Microsoft installer thing,Veign's Pixeur,which i like does the same thing to me.

tinyvillager · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2006, 02:53 AM »

Just wanted to say my issues with Realworld Icon Editor's installer has been resolved in the latest release.
I dig the drag and drop image to icon function,very cool.

Don't know if that was a new feature,
new to me anyway,lol.

Deozaan · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2006, 06:34 AM »

I just use Paint Shop Pro to make a png file and then use png2ico to convert it to an icon. . .

vlastimil · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2006, 06:07 PM »

Quote from: tinyvillager on April 21, 2006, 02:53 AM

Just wanted to say my issues with Realworld Icon Editor's installer has been resolved in the latest release.
I dig the drag and drop image to icon function,very cool. Don't know if that was a new feature,
new to me anyway,lol.

if you run into any other problem or if you'd like to propose a new feature, I would love to hear it.
...and yes, the batch image to icon conversion using drag and drop is one of the new features in the latest version.

urlwolf · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2006, 12:55 AM »

Hi Hamradio,

Can you consider in your review if the application can extract/change icons from other applications? E.g., if I want to substitute the big red 'O' icon in opera with something else...

I have found one program that does it, but it's kind of shaky:

http://www.icon-maker.com/

Thanks a lot

urlwolf · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2006, 12:59 AM »

Quote from: NewKreation on March 18, 2006, 03:41 PM

Don't forget my current favorite freebie, IconCraft.

http://www.iconempire.com/iconcraft/index.htm

But it says it's $49 here:
http://www.iconempire.com/reg.htm
?

urlwolf · « **Reply #23 on:** August 27, 2006, 04:01 PM »

some more, free:
iconLab
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/IconLab/1118615094/1

iconPhile:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/IconPhile/1015873075/1

rjbull · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2006, 08:22 PM »

This is mentioned in the list that's occasionally published by alt.comp.freeware:

Quote

Program: Randy's Icon Editor
Company:
Author: Randal Ford
Install:
W:
Ware: (Freeware)
http://ranfo.com/

I've seen the freeware version below mentioned somewhere, and I see it's now joined by a payware version:

Quote

Fx Icon Maker, freeware

http://www.jhepple.com/iconmkr.htm

Create 32X32 icons from scratch from bitmaps or import from applications.

Download ico32su.exe20

3,733 KB

--------

Capture, create and edit icons of all sizes and formats

Pretty Icon Maker

$19.95

Pretty Icon Maker21

* Supports all icon formats: Windows® and Windows XP® with Alpha Channel
* Supports all icon sizes:16,32,48,72,128 or custom sizes.
* Drawing tools include Anti-alias and Smoothing functions.
* Includes 3D and Gradient effects and supports Crystal effects.
* Import and Export to and from PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, PCX and others.
* Blur, smooth, sharpen, adjust hue, brightness and contrast, resize, rotate and flip.
* Add a drop shadow effect to create Windows XP compliant icons or add text
* Extract existing icons from DLL, EXE, OCX, CPL and SCR files.