Icon Tutorial for new Oprhalese Icons

[Dominatrix]

This is the general instruction for changing icons on Windows XP, provided for the Omamori and Monday Boy collections. If someone is interested, I can post another tutorial explaining how to make your own icons for all purpose. Best.

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This new collection of Windows XP icons are designed for using in shorcuts to Orphalese on desktop or big menus. Look much better when you set minimun icon resolution to 64 x 64. Some users have tested it under W98, with nice results.

If you use XP menu on Start and set the minimum size of icons to 64 x 64, you should reduce the Recent Apps list on that menu (XP will prompt you for that: right click on taskbar > Properties > Start Menu > Personalize > check programs on the middle of the dialog.

All icons in XP have the following sizes:

128 x 128
96 x 96
72 x 72
64 x 64
48 x 48
32 x 32 (default in all versions of Windows)
16 x 16 (default size on Taskbar, SysTray and Windows Explorer folder pane)

It is also recommended to use desktop colours set to 32bit for getting the nice aspect of Alpha transparency. You can change some default icons on desktop if you go to Control Panel > Screen > Desktop > Personalize Desktop tab. For using the icons:

1) Copy to a folder
2) If you have a Orphalese Tarot shorcut in desktop, click with right button and choose Properties
3) Look for the Change Icon in the dialog box. Use Browse to reach the folder with the icons and choose the one you like the most.
4) Accept changes and enjoy!

NOTE: Changing the shorcut icon on desktop or menu has no effect on the original Orphalese Icon (designed by Yours Truly): it will appear on Taskbar and System Tray as usual.

NOTE 2: Windows XP allows to change icons for a single folder. Why don't you mark your Orphalese or collection folders with these custom icons? For that, right-click on folder from Windows Explorer, and choose Personalize. Bottom option of that menu allows you to change that folder's icon.

If you have unexpected results after changing icons, maybe you must rebuild your icon cache. Go to Microsoft site and look for a freebie called TWEAK UI. Please do not hesitate to ask me for details (that feat is accomplished, after installing the app, on the tab titled REPAIR: Rebuild Icon Cache is the first option).

[Gisela Rodriguez]

Hi Dominatrix,

How do I set minimun icon resolution to 64 x 64? I don't see anywhere that gives options for this.

Hugs
Gisela

[Dominatrix]

Gisela: to select the size of your icons, select Start> Control Panels (or right-click on the Desktop and select Properties). Then select Appearance and Themes and click Change the computer's theme. Then, from the Display Properties Window choose the Appearance tab. Click the Advanced button and choose Icon from the Item popup menu. Select a number from 16 to 72 (pixels). Click OK, then click Apply. The screen will dim while your settings take effect. Once the screen returns, view the icons. Repeat the above steps until you're satisfied. You can scale your icons to any size up to 72 pixels, but icons viewed in any interpolated size (meaning any sizes other than the 48,32,16 pixel presets) may appear jagged or blurry. XP doesn't indicate these 'preferred' values to the user. My icons look good in any size because they include all the needed graphic. A lot of apps and icons are just designed for 32 x 32, showing that strange look. Best.

[Gisela Rodriguez]

Thanx so much! You are so good to us.

Hugs,
Gisela

[Dominatrix]

Not at all. I only do what I can (and the things I know to do). Best.