Convert Macintosh© Icon Format To Windowsxp© Icon

Convert Macintosh© Icon Format To WindowsXP© Icon and PNG Format

Tools needed:

• Aladdin Systems StuffIt Expander© (Version 7.5 Recommended)

• Axialis IconWorkShop© (Version 5 With Batch Processing Recommended)

Start by having the program options/settings correct in StuffIt. Go to the Edit Menu>Options.

[General Tab]

Double Click action on supported file type: Check Expand

[Destination Tab]

Expansion: Check Same as original

[Cross Platform Tab]

Convert Text files to Windows Format: Check Never

Save Macintosh files in MacBinary format: Check Always

Add File Exension: Check Never

[Associations Tab]

Associate: Check .sit and .hqx

Configuration is done, now download your Mac icons in .sit or .hqx format. Double click the archive to expand to a folder (for .hqx filetypes read Other Side Notes) in your current directory I.E "Desktop". Folder now present, open IconWorkShop and drag it in the window. Now that you can see the icons in the main work area you have two choices, you can save them as .ico's to use as any system icon(s) AND as dock images (Note: .ico images in the dock reduces performance, .png format is preferred) or as .pngs for optimal dock performance. Highlight or CTRL+A to select all the images in the window then right mouse click and select either "Batch Create Windows Icons From Selection" OR "Batch Create PNG, PSD, or BMP Images From Selected Icons". Export using these settings for your choice:

[icons]

Image Formats: Check all sizes with an "- XP" flag ONLY to keep file sizes down, then press OK to complete conversion operation. Its now safe to delete any non icon file in the folder.

[Pngs]

Colors: Check Windows XP (Alpha - 32 bits)

Size in Pixels: Check 128x128

Image File Format: Check PNG

Transparency: Check Preserve Transparency (32 BPP)

Press OK to complete conversion operation. Its now safe to delete any non png file in the folder or keep them, your choice.

Thats all there is to converting Mac formatted icons for use on XP. It may be somewhat of a process but its acceptable since Mac icons are very detailed and contain great transparency.

**Other Side Notes**

I. When encountering a .hqx archive file, the expansion is a little different. Open StuffIt and click View Menu>Expander Mode. Now just drag the archive in the window and StuffIt does the rest for you.

II. Places to download Mac icons:

• http://mmicons.com/

• http://iconizer.com/

• http://iheartny.com/

• http://jamesmeister.com/

• http://mac.axonz.com/

• http://pixelpressicons.com/

• http://rad-e8.com/

• http://richd.com/

• http://iconfactory.com/

• http://troyboydesign.com/

• http://mixthepix.com/

• http://xicons.com/

IIII. Icontainer and Pixadex are new proprietary file formats ONLY for MacOSX, meaning there is no way of converting the icons in them. The only way as of yet is to have a buddy with a Mac of his own give them to you. So for now Mac icons are only accessible from .sit and .hqx files.

Monday, September 29, 2003

If this helps anyone let me know, thanks.

#61956