File Types For Icons Explained
|
|
An application is not ready for use unless you have the proper icons for using into the application. Having the right icons for your application is not difficult if you have the help of a specialist or a specialized company to design the icons. The icon designer takes care of the whole design process starting from understanding what kind of icons are you looking for, designing them, submitting them for your approval and finalizing the icons to be used. The designer can also help you with choosing the most appropriate file types for the icons used into your application. But because you know better then anybody else the application for which the icons are, it is understandable that you'll be one of the people involved in choosing the file type for the icons. This is why it is a wise thing to know few things about the most common file types for icons.
First of all we have to mention that the most common file types for icons are: ico, png, bmp, gif, icns. From the start we have to point out that ico file type is the one used by windows for its icons to assign an icon for every application. This ico file type is unique and it either assignees a system icon or represents individual types of files. All the files in your computer use icons depending on the file type they are. The ico files are very flexible in order the icons to change itself according to the file type. If the ico files are altered they will loose flexibility and will not be able to properly display the icons according to the type of the files. The ico file must remain with its factory settings. Another thing to be careful about when dealing with ico files, is when you plan to install any icon editor. During the installation process, some of this type of applications will ask the user if it is ok to make a file type association between the application and the .ico file type; in every situation the answer should definitely be no or else this option will mess up all the icons in your computer. In order to achieve the best quality for the ico files, certain parameters should be used depending on the operating system. For Windows XP it is recommended to use 32-bit ico files with Alpha Channel, parameters that allow using of full transparencies and shades. For the versions of Windows prior to XP the recommended parameters are 8-Bit ico files with 256 colors.
From the above mentioned file types, the icns are the correspondent of ico files for the MAC operating systems. They are a bit different from the ico files; icns files act like a container with more individual icon resources enclosed within it. So, with a single click the system accesses all the necessary icon resources that he needs. It is possible that for the previous versions of MAC this icns file type will not be recognized. So, for safety reasons, an older icn# resource should be included in the resource file in order to avoid problems. Another thing about icns files is that they are not like the traditional icon files, meaning their images are not displayed outside the icon, but the images are enclosed inside the files as data and to be able to view them you should actually open an icns file. Icns files are only used and recognized by the MAC operating system. To transfer these icons into more commonly used image file types; there are special applications that can convert icns files into jpg, bmp, gif, files.
Another file type used for icons is png; this is used only for Windows operating system and it was designed to replace the gif format file, that was older and simpler, and the tiff format file that was rather complex. Png is a superior file type; if you want to display a photograph exactly like it is in its best quality, the png format should be your choice because it produces smaller files and allows more color. Png is also able to compress the image files to smaller sizes without altering the image, and if you want to recover the original image the compression is exactly reversible. Also, the png files allow more colors, enables drop shadows and, quite important, support partial transparency that can be used for various purposes. Png files are supported by most web browsers and various development environments. A useful trick for png files when they are used with Internet Explorer for windows: 32 bits png files with alpha channel should be converted into non-transparency png file with the preferred BG color; using png Behavior from WeBX is an alternative.
Gif file types are perfect for images that do not contain more than 256 colors and has large areas of uniform color, so gif file type is not recommended to be used for photographic images because they will not be shown in their best format. If the number of colors is smaller then 256 then there will be no problem for the gif file type to show the image exactly like it is. If the image has too many colors gif will use various algorithms to approximate the extra colors in the image. Gif format also compresses files but during compression it looses many of the colors. Gif compresses image files in two ways: either he reduces the number of bits needed per pixel or he abbreviates common patterns. Gif files do not support full transparency that is why it is recommended pastel colors or light tones to be used for the background whenever with gif files.
We have talked about the most commonly used file types for icons and pointed out some useful information that can be handy whenever trying to choose the right file type for icons.
If you are looking for professional icons please go to http: http://www.iconshock.com - icon design
|
|
|
Created & Maintained by Empower! CMS Web Sites
Host2Sell Web Hosting | Emarketing Workshops | Site SEO Review | FREE Newsletter11 Steps To Sticky Web Site!
An attractive and user-friendly Web site is crucial to attracting prospects and holding their interest. Seems obvious, yet poor design and even more poorly w...(related: Web Design)
Affordable Web Design In Birmingham
If you have a business, big or small you may be thinking of getting yourself a website.The world wide web is another way of spreading your message or selling your product.First you need to find somebody or a company to build and design your website. Some web designers charge a huge amount of money so it is quite difficult to make the right choice.One area you could try first is online auction websites such as ebay. There may well be a new company who is just starting out and who are looking at building up a portfolio. They may well at this early stage be offering their services quite cheaply. This method also...(related: Web Design)
Designing Your Web Site For All Browsers
Let's face it. Building a web site that browses consistently on multiple platforms and multiple browsers is not always as easy as we would like.It is safe to say that most designers spend most of their time building their sites on a given platform. Those with the highest standards should, upon completion, take a look at their creation in different browsers and different pla...(related: Web Design)
Website Design Firm
Website design firms come in all shapes and sizes.When choosing which firm you would like to build your website, there are many factors which you need to take into consideration.There is no point having really nice looking website if no one can see it because it has poor optimisation.Most web desgn firms will offer additional services such as optimisation, website promotion and may also submit your website to the search engines.For me the website they have created for you should be fully optimised anyway and I ...(related: Web Design)
Building Your First Web Site?
Before doing anything on the technical side, you need some kind of basic idea to work with. I suggest first getting some paper and a pencil. Start by sketching a layout of how you would like your web page to appear. For example, a simple title at the top, the area in which you would like any content, pictures and so on. Now its time to do some programing!Don't let the word programing scare you. Anyone can learn and there are several sites that offer free tutorials. One such site is http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp. Although it is not necessary to be a top notch programer to build and operate your web site, you should learn the basics of ...(related: Web Design)
Is Your Website?s Copy Up To The Mark?
The Internet is a relatively new medium. What works for you in your printed offline brochures and advertising materials may or may not work on your web page. If you have already invested either time or money or both in your website you should carefully scrutinize the written words on your pages to see if they can really deliver a return on your investment. Here are five important questions to ask to when making a review of your ...(related: Web Design)
Web Production And Design Tips
You have identified that to have an internet prescence would be of benefit to your small business, however are not sure how to proceed. This article gives free tips on web design services and practices and on how to keep your web designer happy and on side.The first thing you need to do if find a suitable web designer or web design company. Due to the large amount of competition out there you should be able to find a quality professional web design company happy to build you a website from between £50 and £100.You can find these companies on search engines, internet auction websites such as ebay, yellow pages, by asking family and friends, shop window advertisements or newspaper advertisements.
User Experience And Search Engines: If Your Home Page Could Only Talk
Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I am that you found my website. You have no idea the great lengths we've gone to get you here, let alone what we're about to do to keep you on this web site.First, let me say, I have no idea who you are, or why you came, but believe me when I say, I built my site just for you. My company and products are the best there is to offer. You can fi...(related: Web Design)
So You?re Hiring A Web Designer?you Have The Right To Demand These 7 Perks
Whether you're hiring a designer who has created 10 sites or 1000 sites for other businesses, there are 10 things every website should do for you.1. Be wary of companies who charge by the hour and don't put on a cap! There isn't a regulated industry standard in fees. So websites can easily end up costing you a small fortune. Ask for a flat fee if possible-you'll know exactly what you're paying up front. It's common to pay for 50% down, and in certain cases, when working with businesses online; you may need to pay the whole flat fee down. This is perfectly acceptable. You wouldn't order books from Amazon and wait to pay for them when they got there!2. Try to get a turnaround time in writing. It is up to you to br...(related: Web Design)
Marketing Basics For The Webmaster
What is the relationship between Marketing and Web designing? How can a better understanding of Marketing help the web designer manage his business more profitably?What is marketing?
Website Promotion Ideas: 10 Web Site Add-ons To Increase Your Traffic
If you're not getting a lot of traffic to your website anymore, must implement these Website promotion ideas immediately.1. Add a message board to your web site. Peopl...(related: Web Design)
Excellently Constructed Websites
Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer I found one of my favorite writers: (Paulo Coelho) has a site that could inspire anyone who ...(related: Web Design)
Free Online Tools To Design (and Maintain) Your Website
These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately, many of these websites are either bland, or sloppily designed by people who don't understand how to use HTML effectively or are intimidated by it. And, the...(related: Web Design)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 Empower! Web Design | All Rights Reserved. | Web Design