Creating an icon. Quick Selection Guide (download links for free icon replacement and editing programs). Overview of free programs for replacing and editing icons

Icon is a visual sign that helps us navigate the interface. Icon design is the process of creating a graphic symbol that reflects a real, fantasy or abstract motif, action or essence. Icon designs can be implemented in many different styles, including two-dimensional images or a simple black silhouette, or complex design construction of some kind of graphic design element. And also on the icons you can find radial color gradations, shadows, contours, and even three-dimensional perspectives.

If you want to develop effective icon designs, then you need to consider factors such as: audience, size, level of detail, lighting, perspective, and of course, style. Today we have compiled for you a selection of very useful utilities with which you can develop more efficient icon designs for a ridiculous price.

Adobe CS5 is the most popular tool among icon designers. Perhaps the utility is quite expensive, but it fully justifies its cost. CS5 for designers is the most useful tool that includes Photoshop - the market leader in image editing, compression and manipulation software; Illustrator is a creative application widely used in the creative industry; and Fireworks, with which you can easily compress images for further use in website designs.

Axialis Icon Workshop 6.5 is a highly compatible application for designing, converting and editing icon designs for Mac, Windows and even Unix OS for only $49.95. Apart from the standard features, IconWorkshop is the only icon editor that allows you to design toolbox stripes. In the new generation of icon designs, transparency (alpha channel) is often used. This feature allows you to create beautiful icons with smooth corners and shadows. Axialis IconWorkshop also simplifies the design process by providing a range of predefined shapes that you can simply drag and drop onto the design canvas.

AWicons Pro provides both home and business versions. latest version offers you advanced image rendering algorithms rarely seen even in leading photo editing applications. This application supports all required features from high quality real colors to multi-color gradations and transparency. An interactive user-friendly interface, numerous tutorial articles, and a library of sample icons are all included in AWicons and will be extremely easy to learn for everyone, even those who have never worked in this field. The business version will cost $59.95, while the home version will cost $39.95.

FROM icon developer you can easily design your own icons. Icon developer allows you to import images that have been made in other applications and convert them into icons very quickly. You can also easily change the color of icons, convert several files at once, and apply special filters to improve the quality. This wonderful tool will set you back $19.95.

icon builder available for both MAC ($79) and Windows ($49) systems. The application is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks, and with it you can easily design icons. Let's highlight a few properties:
* Create icons in any resolution
* Create icons of any shape
* Ability to save all data in one Photoshop layer
* Import existing icons
* Ability to preview icons on different backgrounds

Icon Machine is an icon editor for MAC users (Mac OS X 10.2 or later) for $25. The application is equipped with various tools with which you can easily design attractive and beautiful icons of any size and color. You can import the icons you made into Photoshop and edit them with this application. You can drag icons to work area programs by simply dragging the found icons from the explorer window.

You can change all the icons on your desktop with just one click Icon Packager. You can also use the Icon Packager to convert hundreds of icons at once. There is a sea of ​​ready-made icon packs that you can use. Icon Packager also allows users to search and change any icon on the system. You can take advantage of the free trial version programs, or buy a full-fledged one for only $9.95.

Icon Cool Studio is a complete solution for designing and editing 32-bit icons. The application includes all the standard icon editing features, as well as many different filters and effects that you can use to improve the result. In addition to icons and (animated) cursor formats, the app also supports GIF, JPG and PNG images.
We also note other properties:

* Support for the latest Vista icons
* Ability to transfer and integrate into Photoshop
* Ability to import / export in many formats
* Flexible options for editing gradations
* Powerful color management tool
* Accessible and clear interface

Pricing: $39.95 and $49.95 for the PRO version.

The most worthy icon editor among freeware. it the best solution for creating and editing icons. The application works with icons for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and MacOS, and even supports transparency. There are no restrictions on creating icons. You can easily convert your images to icons, or vice versa. You can even create icon libraries. You can easily work with multiple files using the features IcoFX. In addition, the application has versions in different languages, it is possible to repeatedly return to the action back.

The application is only available for Windows. The app is a family of icon design tools: On Display ($24.95), Toolset ($49.95) and Creation ($59.95). You can also buy all versions at once for $79.95, saving $55. On Display allows you to right click on any icon on your system. Tool includes an icon editor as well as an animated cursor editor. Creation lets you design icons and cursors that look great on Windows XP using Photoshop-like utilities (including layers, gradations, and color palettes). Each version has its own advantages.

A powerful icon design tool that is also a free cursor, animation and icon library editor. A professional and unique free pixel art design utility. greenfish offers you high quality bump, shadow and glow filters. It also supports animated cursors and allows you to edit the icon library. The app is very lightweight (less than 1.8mb) and there is also a portable version. An accessible and understandable interface will help you get used to it very quickly.

Icon design utility for Windows. It will allow you to create and edit icons, as well as manage icon libraries. You can edit PNG files, create and manage icon sets, and convert MAC icons to Windows format. You can purchase the app for $29.95

Free and most popular icon editor in the world. Lightweight portable version that will work on everyone Windows versions. Some of their most important features are integrated into the icon explorer, so you can easily export icons, manipulate images, apply effects, and more.

Mscape Software no longer supports Iconographer, but you can still download and use this app for free, which is perfect for those on a tight budget. With Iconographer, which is only available for MAC, you can design your own folder icons.

An integral part of modern websites is the Favicon icon, which allows you to quickly identify a particular resource in the list of browser tabs. It's also hard to imagine computer program without its own unique label. At the same time, sites and software in this case are united by a not entirely obvious detail - both of them use icons in the ICO format.

These small images can be created both thanks to special programs and with the help of online services. By the way, it is the latter for such purposes that are much more popular, and we will consider a number of such resources with you in this article.

Graphics work is not the most popular category of web services, but when it comes to generating icons, there are definitely plenty to choose from. According to the principle of operation, such resources can be divided into those in which you draw a picture yourself, and sites that allow you to convert an already finished image into an ICO. But basically all icon generators offer both.

Method 1: X Icon Editor

This service is the most functional solution for creating ICO images. The web application allows you to draw the icon in detail manually or use a ready-made image. The main advantage of the tool is the ability to export images with resolution up to 64×64.

So, if you need to create a whole set of the same type of icons of different sizes, you won’t find anything better than X-Icon Editor for these purposes.

Method 2: Favicon.ru

If you need to generate a favicon icon with a resolution of 16x16 for a website, the Russian-language online service Favicon.ru can also serve as an excellent tool. As in the case of the previous solution, here you can either draw an icon yourself, coloring each pixel separately, or create a favicon from the finished image.

As a result, an ICO file is saved on your PC, which is a 16x16 pixel image. The service is perfect for those who only need to convert an image into a small icon. However, it is not forbidden to show imagination in Favicon.ru.

Method 3: Favicon.cc

Similar to the previous one both in name and in the principle of operation, but even more advanced icon generator. In addition to creating regular 16×16 images, the service makes it easy to draw an animated favicon.ico for your site. In addition, the resource contains thousands of custom icons available for free download.

If the English-language interface does not bother you, then there are absolutely no arguments in favor of working with the previous service. In addition to the fact that Favicon.cc can generate animated icons, the resource also correctly recognizes transparency on imported images, which, unfortunately, the Russian-language counterpart is deprived of.

Method 4: Favicon.by

Another option for favicon icon generator for websites. It is possible to create an icon from scratch or based on a specific image. Among the differences, one can single out the function of importing pictures from third-party web resources and a rather stylish, concise interface.

In general, there are no differences in working with the services already discussed in this article, however, the Favicon.by resource copes much better with converting images to ICO, and this is quite easy to notice.

Method 5: Online-Convert

It is likely that you already know this site as an almost omnivorous online file converter. But not everyone knows that this is one of best tools to convert any images to ICO. As a result, you can get icons with resolution up to 256×256 pixels.

As you can see, creating an ICO icon using the Online-Convert website is not difficult at all, and it is done in just a couple of mouse clicks.

Icon editors allow you to change the file icon that is displayed when viewing a file, for example, in Explorer. An .ico file contains one or more small images of different sizes and color depths. In addition to editing, the presented programs also allow you to create new icons (regular and system) for files, as well as site icons that are used on web resources (blog, site) to be displayed in the browser address bar or browser tabs / bookmarks, such as this one .

The icon editor needs to either implement special algorithms for working with icons, or use built-in system functions, otherwise the created icons will be difficult to use.

Icons are typically 32 x 32 pixels with a 256-color depth, but 48 x 48 pixels, 64 x 64 pixels, and 128 x 128 pixels are sometimes used. Site icons should be saved at 16 x 16 pixels with a 256-color palette. You can create icons with a 32-bit palette (and it's best to do so), but site icons used on the web must be saved with a 256-bit palette. You should not save site icons with a different resolution and color depth, as they may not display correctly on some platforms.

Want to get a web page icon?

Google has created a simple service to extract the website favicon in PNG format.

www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=website

Overview of free programs for replacing and editing icons

Greenfish Icon Editor Pro icon editing program comprehensive approach

Not all professional software products are commercial. free program, complete with professional tools for creating, editing, opening and saving file icons. It allows you to extract and modify icons in executable files, or convert image files to icons and other graphic formats.

The program allows you to work with icon libraries. It supports the following image formats: ICO, CUR, ANI, PNG, XPM, BMP, JPG, GIF, as well as Vista compatible PNG icons.

In addition to working with icons, the program allows you to draw cursors, small pixel images, animations and various supported images. The program also has some useful features, such as applying shadows, creating a visual lighting effect and setting the width of the bevel.

The program is easy to use. It is lightweight and does not require installation. Simply download the zip file, unpack and run the executable.

IcoFX icon replacement and editing program alternative to Greenfish

As an alternative - good free editor icons worth trying. The program has a rich set of tools and includes more than 40 image-changing effects that are common to most graphic editors. It will take some time to get familiar with all the tools.

The program allows you to create icons for your executable files, installation files, your website or blog. It also allows you to convert your favorite images to icons and vice versa. The program's features also include converting Macintosh icons to Windows and vice versa.

Another feature of the program is work with Vista icons in PNG format, with support for maximum color depth, including alpha channel (transparency).

Also, the features of the program include batch processing of icons.

IcoFX

		Lots of tools, over 40 graphic effects, conversions between Macintosh and Windows icons, the possibility of batch processing, etc.
		The process of extracting and fixing icons for some executable files does not work as well as Greenfish Icon Editor Pro.

17.05.2013 Frank 56 comments

To decorate the look of the computer desktop, or rather give it personality, a program for creating icons will help. Actually, one of them (in my opinion the best) will be discussed here.

There are many programs for creating icons (most are paid). There are bells and whistles, "large" and one free, compact, simple and in Russian (does not even require installation). It is called - "fastIcona".

You can download the fastIcona icon maker for free by scrolling down the page (DOWNLOAD WILL START IMMEDIATELY). After downloading, make two clicks on the icon and you can get to work.

To create an "icon" (they are in ICO format, last three letters at the end of the file), you need to do four things:

1. open your image;
2. select the size (depending on the purpose, it is different, for example, for folders 32x32);
3. decide on color bits;
4. click below to create an ICO;

That's all. Why did I write above that this is for creating icons the best program. Firstly, it takes up little space (less than 1 MB), secondly, it is free, thirdly, in Russian, and that's not all.

Paid programs for creating icons have the ability to edit, but it is not as large as in special programs such as paint, photoshop or online photo editors.

Therefore, if you need a beautiful icon, use the photo editor - create the desired image and create your own icon in a matter of minutes.

Apply to the selected image special. effects as much as photo editors allow, none of the existing programs that create files in the ICO format can. So is it worth downloading them.

Developer URL:
http://twinsbox.newmail.ru

operating system:
XP, Windows 7, 8, 10

Interface:
Russian

56 thoughts on “Free Icon Maker”

I'll check

Reply

the simplest program, the only action of which is to assign the ico extension to the source file ... the sense of it is 0, you can just as well rename the file

IcoFX is a program for creating and editing icons (.ico) and cursors (.cur). You can create a sketch yourself (a drawing of the future cursor, icons) or use a ready-made drawing in the format BMP images, PNG, JPG, JPG2000, TIF and GIF. You can also extract and edit cursors and icons from DLL libraries, EXE files. The program supports cursors and icons of all types of operating Windows systems, including for Vista and Win 7 with transparency effect. A large set of tools and more than 40 effects will help you create a cursor, an icon of almost any complexity. You can also convert any icon and cursor to an image and back to any of the BMP, PNG, JPG, JPG2000, TIF, GIF, CUR, ICO formats. IcoFX allows you to change the cursor or icon inside the executable EXE files, which is simply necessary for more convenient use of programs. GIF files can be converted to animated cursors and vice versa. Multiple files can be processed at the same time using the batch processing capabilities of IcoFX.

IcoFX features:

• Creation of cursors and icons for Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7
• Alpha channel support (transparency).
• Create animated GIF files.
• Batch processing of multiple files.
• Changing cursors and icons in EXE executables and DLLs.
• Convert GIF files to animated cursors and vice versa.
• Ability to create custom filters to create your own effects.
• Multilingual support.
• Resolution up to 256×256 pixels.
• Import/export images from BMP, PNG, JPG, JPG2000, TIF, GIF, CUR, ICO formats.
• Create cursor, icon from image with one click.
• Ability to adjust contrast, brightness, hue, saturation, transparency and color balance.
• Image resizing.
• Capture an image from the desktop.
• Support for animated (ANI) and simple cursors (CUR).

OS: Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7
Medicine: not required
Language: Multilingual, including Russian
The size: 5.69 MB

As you understand, I created the icon from the finished image. More precisely, from my avatar :)
This is what we're going to do now.
The lesson only seems long and complicated, in fact, all you have to do (almost) is to press in succession "OK" :)

To start download the program itself:
With Letitbit
With Depositfiles

I won’t tell you the installation process, it’s simple and not complicated at all.

We will assume that you have successfully installed everything. We open the program. The "tip of the day" window will open - just close it with a cross:



Immediately change the language to Russian. Click on the top bar "options" --> "languages" and choose "russian":


Now let's get down to business.

Prepare an image for the icon in advance (download it to your computer if it is on the Internet).
Click "File" --> "Import Image":


A window will open with a list of folders on your computer. We find the image we need and click "Open":



Then such a sign will appear, we do not change anything in it except for the point along the arrow (set 48):



Because I'm using an animated picture to create an icon - I'm prompted to select one frame from this animation. Click on the one you like and press ok:


If you are using not animation to create an icon - you will not have such a window.

In the next window, we also do not change anything, but simply click "OK":



After all this, everything will allegedly disappear from us (if animation was used as a picture) :) Do not be afraid :)
Now click "Icon" --> "Create Windows icon from image":


Then another window will open. Change nothing and click "OK":



The window will close, another one will appear - with your icon in a very enlarged form. Everything, now we save. Click "File" --> "Save as":


We save it to the folder we need (I saved it directly to the desktop), checking along the way that we are saving it as an icon for windows:



That's all, saved :) We now have an icon :)
Now we create the label we need (or use the old one), as we learned this and go to change its icon (also went through in the last post, but let me remind you - right-click on the label, item "properties", there is a button "change icon")

And specify as an icon the path to our newly created icon:





After that, on all the remaining windows, click "apply" (if there is such a button) and "ok".

That's all, we admire the result :) I hope I was able to interest you :) The program is really worth your attention :)