Icon developer "stretching images"

from WinCustomize Forums
Help!

I'm trying to break out of my current ObjectDock mode i've been in for a while...when i try to create an icon from a png file Icon Developer stretches the image...if I work with a square image, all is well, but if the image is oblong, then i run into the distortion problem, but when i place my 256x85 image onto a 256x256 trans background, the icon is unacceptably small...anyone have any ideas, or am I SOL?



yuck!
icons
6,066 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
The easiest thing (I can think of) would be to make a transparent 256x256 image in something like Photoshop, PSP or The GIMP. Then just paste your 256x85 image into there and get it how you want. Save that .png and then use IconDeveloper to create the icon from that. No stretching.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well, that does work, but as I said it tends to make a very small icon!
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Doh! Didn't read for comprehension.

I don't really understand why that would make a small icon. Can't you just tell ID what size to make the icon?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You will have to find and use images that are more symmetrical, icons for desktop and png for objectdock are always apllied 32x32 48x48 128x128 etc. The 256x85 png you are working with, apply it as image for a dock entry and you will see it will be stretched to be a square image. It would be like, for 1024x768 screen res, using a 1024x250 image as a wall, it will fit the 1024 but will be stretched to fit 768 and look ugly.
Use images that fit icon sizing as it will not change to accomadate off size images.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
in icon developer - try checking constrain proportions
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
what happens is that my 256x85 image resides in a larger 256x256 image...
Windows shows a 256x256 image, but my actual icon is much smaller inside it...
Also ObjectDock does the same thing...
maybe i'm not explaining it well!
I think the bottom line is - Do I have to work in square backgrounds, even if my image is not square?!?

I find it odd that Icon Developer, Icon Packager, and ObjectDock seem to require square images, but DesktopX does not!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think Cavan1 answered my question - square image it must be, eh?!

Sooo, does anyone have an idea as to how to go about making a 256x85 image look decent without pasting it into a square background and displaying very small?

I suppose I could do away with ObjectDock and create docks with DesktopX, but damn! I paid for OD!

Aahhh...the worries of a chronic "futser" (as my wife calls me!)
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I will try Bichur's suggestion, though...he solved an sdmcp problem i was having a while back!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just tried it, it worked for me - I just forgot to pick a transparent color so ended with a white background where I wanted transparency
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top


Gotcha
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top


Shoulda stayed home
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Did you try the 'constrain' yet?
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah ha!
Sir Bichur - once again thanks!
constraining the proportion was the key...I never even noticed that option before!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top