Desktop Icon program
Hi Guys
I want to use small photo's of our products as desktop icons.
I don't want to open a program with the icon but I do want it to go to a certain webpage when clicked.
I know lots of you will be saying "Why not just have a bookmark page script".
Two reasons,
1. You would need to look for the bookmark, a little icon of our product on the desktop would serve as an instant reminder and instant access.
2. Could be easily attached to an email to a friend or to display on a blog and the file size I hope would be smaller.
I would be starting with a photo, so need to know how to make the background transarent to start with, which type of file to save as to be able to display on desktop, then what to do to enable a double click to open a certain webpage.
Anyone know where to begin with this one, Is there a pprogram out there that will do the lot?
Look forward to your suggestions
Peter:confused:
I'll be back
Roo posted this at 21:38 — 12th February 2007.
She has: 840 posts
Joined: Apr 1999
This is a free (make a donation if you like) Photoshop plugin that allows Photoshop to open edit and save as Windows .ico files.
It goes into the 'File Formats' folder in the plugins directory:
Download here.
You'll have to start the new image with a transparant background. When 'saving as' choose the .ico format from Photoshop's list of file formats. This plugin retains alpha transparancy so the icon works on any colored desktop background or image.
To use a photo and have some transparant areas you will need to 'cut out' portions of the photo, and have a transparant layer underneath.
I guess what you'd do is first have those sites bookmarked and then you'd 'send it to the desktop'. Once the icon is on your desktop you can change it:
Right click>>>Properties>>>Change Icon>>>Find your own icon>>>Apply the change.
I use this plugin and use my own custom icons on my desktop.
Roo
aka Rohan posted this at 21:52 — 12th February 2007.
He has: 200 posts
Joined: Feb 2006
The Gimp also allows you to save images as .ico files. You have to resize the image in question to no larger than 255x255 pixels and then just save as an .ico file type.
Another way to get the initial shortcut is just to 'right click' on the desktop and select 'new'-->'shortcut' and enter the path/url in the wizzard (at least that's how it is with windows XP).
Roo posted this at 21:57 — 12th February 2007.
She has: 840 posts
Joined: Apr 1999
Gee I've never done that with a shortcut, but I am very picky about having an uncluttered screen, so I do not keep much on my desktop.
aka Rohan posted this at 22:00 — 12th February 2007.
He has: 200 posts
Joined: Feb 2006
I don't really have alot of shorcuts but I do have a nasty habit of saving files to my desktop with the intention of filing them later. Too lazy to click through lots of folders
FPeter posted this at 22:14 — 12th February 2007.
He has: 32 posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Some great suggestions, thanks Roo and Monkeyboy.
FPeter posted this at 22:01 — 17th February 2007.
He has: 32 posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Thank you again guys, I took the advice offered by both of you and now have little icons.
Now all I have to do is find out how to get one of them to open a webpage when double clicked.
Haven't got a clue where to start with this, searched all over the internet but could not find a simple solution
I'll be back
Roo posted this at 00:58 — 19th February 2007.
She has: 840 posts
Joined: Apr 1999
Monkey boy told you how to do this in a post above:
Roo
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