Tutorial - Batch convert icons between Macintosh® and Windows®

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Batch convert icons between Macintosh® and Windows® formats

This article provides information on the following topics:

• Convert the icons From Macintosh® to Windows®

• Convert the icons From Windows® to Macintosh®

Prerequisites

Axialis IconWorkshop™ 6.0 or later
Tryout or Corporate Edition

Using IconWorkshop™ you can Convert Several Icon from Macintosh® to Windows® and vice-versa in one operation. This is what we call a batch procedure. We'll perform this task using the built-in IconWorkshop™ explorer.

To get more info about Macintosh® to Windows® icon conversion see "Convert a Macintosh® Icon to a Windows® Icon" topic. In this topic we'll focus on how to convert several icons in one operation.

Select the icons you wish to convert

1. Open a new Axialis Explorer window. Choose File/New/File Explorer...

2. When the window is opened, select the folder which contains the Macintosh icons using the tree in the left pane.

3. When done, the Macintosh® icons appears (with preview) in the right pane. Select the icons you wish to convert. You can use Shift/Ctrl + Mouse to select several icons. Use Ctrl+A to select all. Use +/- to select/unselect by specifying filters.

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Convert the icons From Macintosh® to Windows®

4. Choose Explorer/Batch Convert Macintosh Icons To Windows® (ICO) or Ctrl+Shift+W

5. A dialog box opens. You can choose to convert all the formats or only a selection. When done, click OK.

6. The batch operation starts. The hourglass mouse pointer is displayed during the conversion. When done the Windows® icons are added to the folder contents.

The created icons have the same filenames as the original icon with ICO appended. A smart system has been added to index the files if necessary to avoid overwriting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Converting a Macintosh icon to Windows® format does NOT change Copyright or Intellectual Property of an icon. The image/icon is property of its author and still property of this author after a conversion.

As a result, do NOT redistribute converted icons without permission of the author. Also, some Macintosh authors do not wish that you convert/use their icons under Windows®. In such a case, please respect author whish and do not convert its icons, even for your personal use.

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Convert the icons From Windows® to Macintosh®

4. Choose Explorer/Batch Convert Windows® Icons To Macintosh® (ICNS, RSC, BIN) or Ctrl+Shift+M

5. A dialog box opens. First select the Macintosh® file format you wish to create. 3 formats are available for Mac icons (see this topic to learn more about the file formats).

6. You can choose to convert all the formats or only a selection of them. When done, click OK.

7. The batch operation starts. The hourglass mouse pointer is displayed during the conversion. When done the Windows® icons are added to the folder contents.

The created icons have the same filenames as the original icon with ICNS, RSC or BIN appended. A smart system has been added to index the files if necessary to avoid overwriting.

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Article written by Axialis Software Team on September 10, 2007.