How to Convert Images Into Icons in Gimp

Hey there, this time I just want to share with you guys how you can basically transform or convert your images or photos into desktop icons. We’re going to use a freeware program called GIMP which I had already discussed in the previous video about on blurring images.

So basically, this is just an additional application or another application that you can do with GIMP. So, all you have to do is load whatever image you want to convert into an icon like so then click on layer, then transparency ,then click add alpha channel. So it basically adds transparency to the layer, so we’re going to do that like so. And then you’re going to select a tool called the Fuzzy Select Tool and you’re just basically going to click your background like so.

So as you can see, it automatically selects your image and in a way it separates it from the background. Now, with the background, you click on the background and then click edit and then click clear. So you’re going to see like a checkered mat behind your desired image. So with this, you’re able to remove the background of your picture. Now, you’re going to resize it by clicking on image then scale image. So I’m going to scale it and usually 32 x 32 pixels, so we’re just going to change that 32, there we go and click scale.

And now your picture is resized to an icon size. So just save this because this is currently a jpeg image, so you just click save, here we go. Then change the extension file name to “ico” which is the extension for icons, then just click save, and there we are. So this is basically—I’m just going to zoom that to show you. So this is basically the icon that I had created. So to test it out I want to change the icon of how about Gimp, I am going to change the icon, how about GIMP. I’m going to change the icon with GIMP. So change icon and browse going to go to hamster, open okay, apply, okay and our GIMP icon has now turned into the hamster that I had created.

So there you go and I do hope you learned from that or if you already knew. Well this is for the benefit of those who don’t know yet. So anyway thanks for watching this video and have fun.


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