Mac OS 9 Lives

Mac OS 9 Discussion => Software => Topic started by: emendelson on July 15, 2024, 06:13:41 PM

Title: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: emendelson on July 15, 2024, 06:13:41 PM

I'm trying to convert a PNG image (with a transparent background) to a file icon usable in System 7.6.1 or Mac OS 9.0.4 - with a transparent background. When I save the PNG in Graphic Converter 4.0 to Apple File Icon format, the background is white or black, not transparent. Can anyone point to software that will get this job done?? Many thanks.

Title: Re: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: Slimes on July 15, 2024, 08:42:55 PM

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/icon-machine-iii

Icon machine 2 is best for os9

Title: Re: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: emendelson on July 16, 2024, 04:18:06 AM

Thank you - downloading now...

Title: Re: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: IIO on July 17, 2024, 10:11:22 AM

Quote from: emendelson on July 16, 2024, 04:18:06 AM

Thank you - downloading now...

yes, icon machine seems best.

it fully supports legacy formats as well and it is very educational about all the possible icon formats.

you have to be careful with copying icon classes within the program: always use the 32x32 and 32-bit icon editor as oringal and copy all others from there. all other editors scale down by NN and might fuck up the colors.

for storage during work .psd layers are fine - and on the other side of the end, for storing finished icons, files and folder will also do, since copy & paste within the finder will also preserve alpha.
the only isse with the latter is that you can accidentially delete your stuff the same way. so the ideal storage format is an icon machine resource file... with its icon applied to itself. :)

Title: Re: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: emendelson on July 17, 2024, 12:47:21 PM

And yes, it worked perfectly. I opened a 32x32 PNG file, copied the contents into the Icon Machine window, and erased the background to make it transparent. Thank you again!

My only question is: what is the best way to make the 16x16 icons from the 32x32 icons? Or should I just figure this out by myself?

I've got a related AppleScript question, but will start another thread.

Title: Re: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: Greystash on July 17, 2024, 03:05:26 PM

On the right side of the window you can drag the 32x32 icon preview to the 16x16 preview and Icon Machine will scale it down. You may need to touch it up but I've found it's generally quite good at this.

Title: Re: Graphic editor that will save PNG as file icon with transparent background?
Post by: emendelson on July 17, 2024, 04:11:40 PM

Quote from: Greystash on July 17, 2024, 03:05:26 PM

On the right side of the window you can drag the 32x32 icon preview to the 16x16 preview and Icon Machine will scale it down. You may need to touch it up but I've found it's generally quite good at this.

Worked perfectly - thank you again. I should have thought of it earlier...