How do I convert images to whatever icon MAc uses?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How do I convert images to whatever icon MAc uses?

Client: Mac OS 10.6.6

Hi All,

I am coming from the Linux side. In Linux, if I an find an Image I like, I can use it on my desktop Icons. Format is not an issue.

Questions:
1) in Mac, I have found it wants a particular format. How do I convert Images (jpeg, png, bitmap, tiff, etc.) to that format?

2) once I have the image in place, do I need to keep the image around or is it copied into the icon's hidden (in Finder) application directory?

Many thanks,
-T

Posted on Mar 6, 2011 7:22 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

83,182 points

Mar 6, 2011 8:39 PM in response to Todd twice

Hi Todd

.jpg

I generally import all of my photos into iPhoto which makes them usable with the Desktop and Screensaver Preference's.

However if you are not using iPhoto, then you might want to put whatever images that you use as Desktop images into iPhoto.

Or scroll down to +"Of course, you can turn any of your own photos or artwork into a desktop picture"+ in the following knowledge base article. > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2478

Dennis

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Answer 2

Todd twice Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 6, 2011 8:46 PM in response to den.thed

Hi Dennis,

That link is for setting the wallpaper. I was looking for a way to create ".icns" files, so I could import them into Platypus.

http://www.sveinbjorn.org/platypus_tutorial#24

Many thanks,
-T

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

83,182 points

Mar 6, 2011 9:29 PM in response to Todd twice

{quote:}I can use it on my desktop Icons.{quote}

Sorry, was either feeble old eye's or brain that missed Icons......?

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Answer 4

FlurryM

Level 1

85 points

Mar 7, 2011 1:10 AM in response to Todd twice

for creating .icns or folder icons from jpegs I find img2icns works pretty well:

http://www.img2icnsapp.com/

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Answer 5

Todd twice Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 7, 2011 10:19 AM in response to FlurryM

Perfect. Thank you!
-T

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Answer 6

ransage

Level 1

0 points

Jun 5, 2014 8:56 PM in response to Todd twice

For anybody using MacPorts, there is a port called makeicns that creates the needed .icns files from the command line. Usage is pretty simple (from the command):

makeicns v1.4.10 (284bd686824f)

Usage: makeicns [k1=v1] [k2=v2] ...

Keys and values include:

512: Name of input image for 512x512 variant of icon

256: Name of input image for 256x256 variant of icon

128: Name of input image for 128x128 variant of icon

32: Name of input image for 32x32 variant of icon

16: Name of input image for 16x16 variant of icon

in: Name of input image for all variants not having an explicit name

out: Name of output file, defaults to first nonempty input name,

but with icns extension

align: [center, left, right, top, bottom] {First letter suffices!}

Examples:

makeicns -512 image.png -32 image.png

Creates image.icns with only a 512x512 and a 32x32 variant.

makeicns -in myfile.jpg -32 otherfile.png -out outfile.icns

Creates outfile.icns with sizes 512, 256, 128, and 16 containing data

from myfile.jpg and with size 32 containing data from otherfile.png.

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