Creating a personalized XP icon

Microsoft Windows XP introduces a new icon design style. In the following article, we'll discuss the specific steps for designing and creating windows xp style icons.

The windows xp icon style is fun, colorful, and vibrant because these icons are 32-bit icons with very smooth edges. In general, we can draw each icon in the vector program and then use Adobe Photoshop to make the image more perfect.

Basic Process:

1. Use FreeHand or Illustrator to draw a vector image of the icon.

2 Copy the vector and import it into Photoshop for further processing.

3. Create a .ico file with Gif Movie Gear.

Figure 1: Icon example
First, the purpose of icon design overview


of this section is to familiarize you with windows xp new style, to create an icon to do ready.

icon style properties


rich colors, are in addition to windows xp appearance.

Different angles and perspectives add dynamic energy to the image.

The corners of the elements are very soft and slightly rounded.

The light source is located in the upper left corner of the icon, and there are other parts of the icon that surround the light.

The gradient effect gives the icon a three-dimensional effect, which in turn makes the icon look fuller.

Projection makes the icon more contrast and three-dimensional.

Adding outlines makes the image sharper.

Daily objects such as computers and devices have a more modern personal look.




Windows icon size icon four dimensions: 48 × 48,32 × 32,24 × 24 and 16 × 16 pixels, is recommended the use of these standard sizes.
Figure 2: Regular Icon Size
The icon to the right of the Start menu is displayed as 24 × 24 pixels. This size does not need to be provided by the user.

Figure 3: "Start" menu in the 24 × 24 pixels in size
for toolbar icons are created, Windows standard size is 24 × 24 and 16 × 16 pixels.

Figure 4: Standard toolbar icon size