[ThisGuy]

I am interested in making some icons, but really would appreciate some advice. I've never even tried to design any for OS 9.
Thanks

[georgius]

Okay...firstly...use Photoshop and Iconographer. The fact is, that if you're not on a G4, you'll spend most of your icon making time in OS 9 (not Classic). Classic is too slow to use with Photoshop, although there is a carbonized Iconographer out there.

Draw what you like to start of with. Don't get too het up about developing transparency effects or drop shadows yet. Look at shape and form. Remember that when your icons are sized down to OS 9 levels, they'll still have to be 'legible'.

Iconographer is goo because it allows []b]really[/b] easy manipulation of an icon's mask (the bit you'll actually see). It also has close tie ins with PS (I think there is a plug in). You can also draw straight into an image editor with Iconographer, so PS isn't absolutely necessary, though preferred.

I've got 5 or 6 unreleased OS X icon sets kicking round for bastardization and nit-picking. If you want more advice, don't hesitate to mail me.

Play it cool

[ThisGuy]

I am already down on how bad they are going to look @ first. Is this something that takes tons of practice to get good at?

[Griggsy]

well if i managed it in an afternoon to take from my lwave models to full blown osx icons using icondropper then anybody can do it

if you want to check them out they're here

[georgius]

Originally posted by ThisGuy:
<STRONG>I am already down on how bad they are going to look @ first. Is this something that takes tons of practice to get good at?</STRONG>

O...you'll get the hang of it. Don't get so paranoid. Its just as easy as talking to a girl. It soon becomes second nature.

Play it cool

[DominikHoffmann]

Also check out Aqua Human Interface Guidelines.

Dominik Hoffmann