Icon editor: IcoFX 1.0 beta

IcoFX
http://icofx.xhost.ro/



I used to use a free program called IconoMaker, but then when I checked their website today, I realized that it is no longer free! Too bad, it was a very nice program. In the past, I had used Microangelo, a very nice payware tool, but of course, this blog is about freeware, so here we go...

With the realization that I could no longer tout IconoMaker as my 'weapon of choice' with regards to icon editing, I set off on a hunt for a new one! Let me tell you, it wasn't easy.

My criteria was simple. My new editor must have the following capabilities:

• Edit all color-depth and icon resolution .ico files
• Save or export to PNG format (for upcoming Vista and existing Linux support)
• User interface must be somewhat intuitive

Bonus criteria:

• Ability to extract icons from programs or dll's

So, I searched. I came up with a few hits that looked promising, but none compared to IcoFX.

IcoFX offers something that the other freeware tools don't: Effects - such as various color, blur, emboss, sharpen, and more...tools that most image editing apps include. Another nice feature is the ability to generate higher-resolution icons in the same .ico set without having to cut & paste your image.

For something that is 'beta,' this product looks complete to me...

Come to think about it, I never understood why image editors didn't offer native .ico support, but oh well. With the arrival of Vista, icon-editing tools will be on their slow way out - Vista offers PNG support (like Linux)...hooray PNG!