Anime image in Paraben's Icon Builder
The term "anime" describes the style of animation that comes out of Japan. Among the style's many features are a depth of characterization and realism that you usually find only in real-life films and TV series. Anime has produced many characters from cute to horrific that are perfect for use as computer icons.
Instructions
Preparing the Image
1. Search the Internet for the image of an anime character you would like to use. Look for a picture that is bold and simple, with an uncluttered background and not too much detail. Find a smaller graphic since it must look good shrunk down to the size of a desktop icon. Download this picture and set it aside.
2. Open the picture in Photoshop. Create a square selection around that part of the image that you want to use as an icon. (In many art programs, you can constrain a selection tool into a square by pressing the Shift key as you select.) Crop the image to the size of the selection.
3. Adjust the image as needed by deleting a distracting background or removing unimportant details. Increase the contrast slightly so the colors will become bolder and brighter. Save the new picture.
Making the Icon
4. Download an icon-making program such as Paraben's Icon Builder, which is available from the link under "Resources." Install and run the software to display the main window.
5. Open the new picture by choosing the "Open" option from the "File" menu. The image appears on the drawing canvas.
6. Use the drawing tools to adjust the picture as needed.
7. Resize the canvas by choosing the Icon option from the "Size Menu" and then specifying the dimensions like "32 x 32." The canvas resizes and pixelates the image as needed.
8. Reduce the colors by clicking the "Colors" menu and then choosing "Reduce Colors" to display the "Color Reduction" dialogue. Move the "Colors" slider to the far right until the value says 256. Then click the "Reduce the Colors Now" button. The dialogue shows previews of the final icon using several dithering options.
9. Select a preview and then click the "OK" button to return to the main window.
10. Choose "Save As" from the "File" menu to display the "Save" dialogue. Make sure the file type is "Icon (*.ico)." Enter a title and click the "Save" button to save your creation.
Applying the icon
11. Apply the anime icon by right-clicking on the icon you want to change and then choosing "Properties" to display the "Properties" dialogue.
12. Click the "Change Icon" button and then browse to the anime icon. (If the "Properties" dialogue does not show a "Change Icon" button, convert the icon to be changed into a shortcut first.)
13. Double-click your created icon to apply it.
