Convert, Manage and Set Icons in OS X with Img2icns
Img2icns, the simple image utility which lets you create icons for use in OS X, has recently been updated to version 1.0. With this major update from Shiny Frog Img2icns now boasts a refined user interface and a wealth of new features that finally make the focused application a serious contender for best customization tool for your Mac.
Img2icns takes regular image files and converts them to .icns files, the format used by OS X for file, folder and application icons system wide. Previously, Img2icns was a one trick pony, albeit a useful one. Aside from Img2icns killer image-to-icon conversion feature, it can now set file icons, extract images from icons and even manage your conversion history. Here’s a detailed look at what Shiny Frog’s new release can do.
Set the Icon For a File, Folder or App from Any Image
Img2icns’ killer feature has always been its ability to instantly convert an image or picture into an icon. Icons in OS X have a unique .icns extension and are formatted such that they contain samples of various sizes. If you want to use one of your pics as a icon for an often used file, you’ll first need to convert it to .icns format to do so. Search the web and you’ll find a few somewhat complicated Photoshop tutorials on how to create .icns files for OS X, but with Img2icns you need only drag your pic onto the drop zone and Boom, as they say, you’ve got your icon. If you’ve got a bunch of pics to convert, drag them all onto the app to convert the lot of them in a single click. As an added bonus, Img2icns now supports raw Photoshop files as well, so there’s no need to save out your work in a different format before creating an icon.
But why make an icon if not to customize a file, folder or app? Just drag your chosen file onto Img2icns and the app will do the work for you. No messing around with the Get Info window or other complicated steps to follow. Before the update, Img2icns was the easiest way to create icons for your Mac. With version 1.0, it’s now the easiest way to set them as well.
Batch Extract Images from Application and File Icons
Completely new in Img2icns 1.0 is the ability to create images from icons, which is a real seller for Mac bloggers like myself. Previously I published a little AppleScript to dig into the Resources package of an application and open its icon up in Preview. It’s a convoluted process, to say the least. With the new Img2icns that process again becomes a simple drag and drop affair. Open up your Applications folder and drop an app onto Img2icns or its dock icon. Img2icns will extract your icon and give you the option of exporting it to PNG, TIFF or GIF format, all of which will preserve any transparency in the icon.
Sometimes for MacMembrane I write up a number of applications for a single post and thus I need app icons for multiple apps. This laborious process makes me quite excited about one of the new features of Img2icns: batch conversion of icons to images. Select a bunch of apps in Finder and drop them onto Img2icns. With one click you can export the entire batch as PNG, TIFF or GIF files. After playing with the app for only a few minutes I realized the amazing time saving potential of this feature.
Manage Your Icons with the Built in History Browser
Currently I have a single folder where I store all of the icons that I make or extract for easy access should I need them down the line. The new Img2icns now has a convenient history feature that might make my primitive filing system a thing of the past. All of your icons are stored in a folder in ~/Library/Application Support/Img2icns (where ~ is your home folder), but a pop-up HUD history browser built into the app will make ever visiting it unnecessary. You can export any or all of your icons directly from the history panel or drag them back on to the app to use them as file or folder icons again. Double clicking on any icon in your history will open it up in Preview, or you can drag it out of the pane and onto your desktop if you prefer. The history panel is very convenient and will keep you from losing track of your work.
Some Bonuses and Caveats: Favicons, iPhone Icons and Interface Elegance
Img2icns will also export images at the size and format necessary for use as favicons on websites or for use as bookmarked iPhone icons. For both exports you will need to rename your resulting files favicon.ico and apple-touch-icon.png respectively before they can be dropped in the root directory of your website, but other than that your exports are ready for use. It would be nice if a future update automated this small process as well.
Unfortunately, Img2icns does not have any AppleScript support, which is a shame given the app’s in built potential to both convert and manage icons. Hopefully the developer will add scripting support in a future update.
On a final note I’d like to mention just how far the app has come in terms of aesthetics. Previously, it would be hard to claim that Img2icns was a beautiful application. The app did have a cool icon, but it was by no means a professional offering, and the app’s UI was little more than a drop target on a grey background. With the new release Shiny Frog has really invested in the design of the app and it’s paid off – the whole experience is quite beautiful. From the contemporary grunge of the main UI to the smooth animations that accompany your actions and even the app’s download page, Img2icns has graduated from a simple but useful side-project into a serious contender.
Download Img2icns from Shiny Frog software. A basic version, which lets you convert and set icons, is available for free. A full license is 12.90 USD and unlocks all of the new features of the app.
