                                MakeIcon


  PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program will make an icon (info file) using image data from either an 
IFF picture file or another info file.  The image data is drawn on the 
screen so you can see exactly what your icon will look like.  It acts just
like a real icon in that if clicked on its highlighting or alternate image
will take effect.  To return to unselected icon click anywhere not on the
Icon.  Also this image data that is on the screen can be made into an IFF 
file which can then be input to a graphic editor such as Dpaint III.  Icons
for Disks, Drawers, Tools, Projects, and Trashcans can be made.  All file
selection is done with the ARP file requester so the ARP library (file 
arp.library which I've included) must be in the libs: directory.  The 
program also has a reduce gadget next to the 2 depth gadgets in the upper 
right corner of the window.  This will toggle the window between a full 
window and a window with just a title bar and about 270 pixels wide.

MakeIcon was developed using M2Sprint Modula 2 from M2S Inc. Dallas TX.  
This program is copyrighted but freely distributable which means it is not 
in Public Domain but can be given to anyone not sold.


  USING PROGRAM

Program operation basically consists of clicking one of 6 gadgets on the
left side of the window.  A description of the gadgets follow.

HELP: Clicking on this button will open a window with a brief description of 
how to use the program in case you forget.

SELECT IMAGE FILE: By clicking on this button you can select the image data 
for your icon.  The principal image is selected first using an ARP file 
requester.  The file chosen can be either an IFF picture file (usually a 
brush file) or another info file.  If the info file has an alternate select 
image another window will open to allow you to choose which image you want.  
The chosen image is now drawn on the screen and its file name is written in 
the lower part of the window.  A menu requester now drops down so you can 
choose the highlighting method of the icon (Complement, Backfill, or 
Alternate image).  Also at this time if you don't like the image you have
chosen you can choose another one.  If you want your icon to have an 
alternate select image, you would select ALTERNATE IMAGE from the menu
requester.  The process of choosing the alternate image is the same as 
choosing the principal image described above.

SELECT ICON FILE: By clicking on this button you can choose the file,
 drawer, disk or trashcan that you want to make the icon for. Selection is
made from an ARP file requester.  For a disk only the volume name is used.
For a drawer or trashcan only the directoy name is used.  The name of the
choice is written in the lower part of the window.  Before clicking on this
button the type of icon you want should be chosen by clicking on the desired
type in the upper right of the window.  Chosing a new type after selecting
the file, disk or drawer could make the wrong type of icon (a Tool icon for
a disk as an example).

MAKE ICON: Clicking this button actually makes the icon (info file) for the 
selected icon file using the selected image data.SELECT IFF FILE: By 
clicking on this button you choose the file name you want to give to the IFF
file for the image on the screen.  An ARP file requester is used to choose
this file.

MAKE IFF FILE: By clicking on this button an IFF file is made for the image 
on the screen.  If the icon being made above has an alternate image the
 image on the screen is used to make the IFF file.  If the icon being made
above uses complement or backfill for its highlighting only the
unhighlighted image is used to make the IFF file.


  USING WITH A DRAWING PROGRAM

This program multitasks well with a drawing program such as Dpaint. To use
with a draw program first double click on the MakeIcon which could be in the 
same drawer as DPaint.  When the MakeIcon window opens shrink it with the 
reduce gadget. Then double click on your DPaint gadget and use MedRes screen
with 4 colors since the icons are for the workbench screen.  When the paint 
program is in place press Left Amiga and N to get back to the workbench 
screen.  Close all unecessary windows and unshrink the MakeIcon window by 
clicking on the reduce gadget again.  Now you can toggle back and forth 
between MakeIcon and the paint program by pressing Left Amiga M or Left 
Amiga N keystrokes. 
 
You can start in your paint program and draw your icon and save as a brush.
Then press Left Amiga N to get to MakeIcon and use the brush you made in your
paint program to make an icon. 
 
You could also start with MakeIcon and import an info file for the on screen 
image.  Then this image could be saved as an IFF file.  Then press Left 
Amiga M to get to your paint program where you would bring in the IFF file as
a brush.  This image could be changed with the paint program and resaved as
an IFF File.  You could repeat the above process to make your icon from this
new image.


  MISC

This program doesn't have any image processing.  I felt that there are
already many good drawing programs out there. Future versions of this
program may have some image processing making it more of a stand alone
program.

The Modula 2 source code is available from me for those interested.
Contact me at:

                     Paul Blum                                         
                     1114 Lincoln Ave.
                     Pacific Grove, CA., 93950
                     (408) 372-0895


                     
