• Free program - IcoFX. We create icons for Windows shortcuts ourselves. Quick selection guide (links to download free programs for replacing and editing icons)

    Many people don’t take online icon editors seriously, but in fact, such tools greatly facilitate the workflow. Just a couple of clicks can save you hours of searching, browsing, or developing yourself. In addition, there is no point in using full-fledged ones when available special services with tailored functions for these specific tasks.

    Icon editor sites like these are very effective. They allow you:

    • easily and quickly create new materials;
    • give existing developments a finished look;
    • save the result in different formats(SVG, ICO & PNG);
    • create icons for .

    In this article, we selected the five best online free icon editors and, for comparison, tried to create a set in each of them.

    IconsFlow

    IconsFlow.com - vector icons + editor that allows you to create personalized sets and export them in good quality (SVG, ICO & PNG). The main advantage of the service is the presence of two editors:

    • the main one, in which the palette, style, effects are selected;
    • form editor, where you can change the current shape or draw a new one.

    If you've already created icons in Illustrator, just download the SVG files and experiment with different backgrounds. IconsFlow has certain limitations when free use, so make sure you familiarize yourself with them before you start. There are lessons and a help section for novice users, and it is also possible to work in the icon editor in Russian.

    View of the IconsFlow vector editor:

    Examples of work:

    FlatIcons

    With FlatIcons.net you can create your own flat icon (flat style) based on ready-made templates. Set the dimensions, choose a pattern and the main background (circles, rings, rectangles), change the color. This icon editor is free, but it has two disadvantages:

    • Firstly, you can only download files in PNG format.
    • Secondly, you will have to create each object separately, because... It is impossible to develop a whole set at once.

    Despite the fact that the peak of popularity has already passed, many people use them in their designs. As an example, the developers allow you to download free set social flat icons. The result of working in the FlatIcons editor:

    Launcher Icon Generator

    The Launcher Icon Generator project is free and we think it is more suitable for advanced users. This online icon editor allows you to upload images/cliparts and add text. You can download one icon at a time in 5 sizes (48 x 48; 72 x 72; 96 x 96; 144 x 144; 192 x 192).

    A set of graphics in the style is used as a basic clipart Material Design from GitHub. The service contains settings such as: padding, shape, background color or transparency, scaling + additional effects. Result:

    Android Material Icon Generator is another tool for creating flat icons. The highlight of the service is definitely the effect in the form of a long shadow. If you need similar solutions— this icon editor will be an ideal option.

    Start by choosing a picture from the gallery, then determine the color, shape background(circle or square), shadow length, saturation, attenuation - and your icon is ready. Everything is extremely simple. For personal use the site is completely free.

    After downloading, in the archive file you will find 6 PNGs of different sizes and vector SVG file. The SVG icon will be blurry in Illustrator, but luckily it looks good in the browser. The end result is something like:

    The Simunity site is an HTML5 generator where you can create an icon and then copy the code to display it in your web projects. Icons from Font Awesome are used as source materials, for which different parameters are selected: color, frame, size and style of shadows.

    This service is useful if you need to quickly create simple, original icons for your website. Result of using Simunity:

    Total. Discussed above online editors icons are excellent tools for optimizing the work of designers. There is no point in downloading any programs when everything can be done easily and quickly online. From this selection, perhaps, IconsFlow can be distinguished. It contains as many features as possible: icon gallery, SVG upload, embed code, preview, create your own templates, export PNG, ICO and SVG, adapt size, fashion styles and built-in vector editor. Besides this is the only one free editor icons in Russian, if this is important to you.

    If you know any more similar services, send your options in the comments.

    | Graphics utilities | Photoshop keyboard shortcuts
    First of all, you should not use ready-made icons. An icon is like your logo or your logo is. I understand perfectly well that no one is doing anything on empty space, we all look at each other. You cannot learn music without playing the works of other authors. We are following new directions. When creating websites, I will definitely look at competitors’ websites to know how this site will look compared to others. But never use bright pictures, finds because most likely many people will like them and you will be the hundredth person who used the same picture. What do you think when you see someone using a beautiful but hackneyed image from a database? They will think the same about you.
    You can use some techniques - moments of the background, not so bright. This is something I can use. I see something undeservedly overlooked and develop it.

    Editing nuances

    Once upon a time, it will be quite a good idea to reduce a large copy, especially if it is a complex logo.
    In most cases, compression will occur with some distortion and loss of quality.

    Program selection

    You can create a simple icon in any editor, in Paint for example, save it in BMP format, say, and then convert it to ICO format. If you need an elegant icon with halftone flows, then you can’t do without a good icon editor.
    Or eg. For web pages, icons of the same size 16X16 are used, but for Windows systems, for example. the icon should contain several pictures of a range of sizes. Here you also need good editor icons

    Transparent background

    Once a transparent background is convenient, but for best quality try to avoid it. It’s simpler and by using a square shape, you make the most of the area provided to you for the icon (it’s already small, why cut it down further). But sometimes you need it and sometimes you want it.
    If you create an icon in a regular editor, it will not save it in ICO format. You will most likely have to save it in BMP and then convert it to ICO format. But in this case, the transparent background is usually replaced with black. And you will need to remove the black color in the icon editor. Also, when creating a transparent background, remember that if there is a transparent one, then there is no translucent one. Let's say you have a red circle, then there will be pink cells around the edges because the editor transparent background draws as if on a white background. Then you need to predict what background your drawing will be on and replace the pink one with the one that suits your case. Or ditch the smooth edges and make everything red. In this case, the edges may look ragged.

    Icon is a visual sign that helps us navigate the interface. Icon design is the process of creation graphic symbol, which reflects real, fantasy or abstract motives, action or essence. Icon designs can be implemented in many different styles, including two-dimensional images or a simple black silhouette, or a complex design of some kind of graphic design element. And also on the icons you can find radial color gradations, shadows, contours, and even three-dimensional perspectives.

    If you want to develop effective icon designs, then you need to consider factors such as: audience, size, level of detail, lighting, perspective and, of course, style. Today we have put together for you a selection of very useful utilities, with which you can develop more effective icon designs, for a ridiculous price.

    Adobe CS5 is the most popular tool among icon designers. The utility may be quite expensive, but it fully justifies its cost. CS5 for designers is the most useful tool, which includes Photoshop, the market leader in image editing, compression and manipulation software; Illustrator is a creative application widely used in the creative industry; and Fireworks, which lets you easily compress images for later use in website designs.


    Axialis Icon Workshop 6.5 is a highly compatible application for designing, converting and editing icon designs for Mac, Windows and even Unix OS for only $49.95. In addition to standard features, IconWorkshop is the only icon editor that lets you design toolbox strips. The new generation of icon designs often use transparency (alpha channel). This function allows you to create beautiful icons with smooth angles and shadows. Axialis IconWorkshop also simplifies the design process by providing a number of standard shapes that you can simply drag and drop onto the design canvas.


    AWicons Pro provides both home and business versions. Latest version offers you advanced image reproduction algorithms that are rarely found even in leading photo processing applications. This application Supports all required features from high-quality real colors to multi-color gradations and transparency. An interactive, user-friendly interface, numerous educational articles, and a library of example icons are all included in the AWicons program, and it will be extremely easy for anyone to learn, even those who have never worked in this field. The business version will cost $59.95, and the home version will cost $39.95.


    WITH Icon developer you can easily design your own icons. Icon developer allows you to import images that were taken in other applications and convert them into icons very quickly. You can also easily change the color of icons, convert multiple files at once, and apply special filters to improve quality. This amazing tool will cost you $19.95.


    Icon builder available for both MAC ($79) and Windows ($49) systems. The application is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks, and with its help you can easily design icons. Let's highlight several properties:
    * Create icons in any resolution
    * Create icons of any shape
    * Ability to save all data in one Photoshop layer
    * Import existing icons
    * Ability to preview icons on various backgrounds


    Icon Machine is an icon editor for users MAC systems(Mac OS X 10.2 or later) for $25. The application is equipped with various tools with which you can easily design attractive and beautiful icons of any size and color. You can import the icons you make into Photoshop and edit them using this application. You can drag icons onto the program's work area by simply dragging the found icons from the Explorer window.


    You can change all the icons on your desktop by pressing just one button in Icon Packager. You can also use Icon Packager to convert hundreds of icons at a time. There are a sea of ​​ready-made icon sets that you can use. Icon Packager also allows users to search and change any icon on the system. You can use free trial version program, or buy a full-fledged one for only $9.95.


    IconCool Studio is a complete solution for developing and editing 32-bit icons. The application includes all the standard icon editing functions, as well as many different filters and effects that can be used to improve the result. In addition to icons and (animated) cursor formats, the application also supports images in GIF formats, JPG and PNG.
    Let us also note other properties:

    * Supports the latest Vista icons
    * Ability to transfer and integrate into Photoshop
    * Ability to import/export in many formats
    * Flexible options for editing gradations
    * Powerful tool color management
    * Accessible and intuitive interface

    Prices: $39.95 and $49.95 for PRO version.


    The most worthy icon editor among free software. This best solution on creating and editing icons. The application works with icons for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and MacOS, and even supports transparency. There are no restrictions on creating icons. You can easily convert your images into icons, or vice versa. You can even create icon libraries. You can easily work with multiple files using the features IcoFX. In addition, the application has versions on different languages, there is the possibility of returning to the action multiple times.


    The application is only available for Windows. The application is a family of icon design tools: On Display ($24.95), Toolset ($49.95) and Creation ($59.95). There is also the opportunity to buy all versions at once for $79.95, thereby saving $55. On Display allows you to right-click on any icon on your system. Tool includes an icon editor as well as an animated cursor editor. Creation allows you to design icons and cursors that look great in Windows system XP, using utilities similar to those in Photoshop (including layers, gradations, and color palettes). Each version has its own advantages.


    A powerful icon design tool that is also a free cursor, animation and icon library editor. Professional and unique free utility for the development of pixel graphics. Greenfish offers you high quality bump, shadow and glow filters. It also supports animated cursors and allows you to edit your icon library. The app is very lightweight (less than 1.8mb) and there is also a portable version. An accessible and intuitive interface will help you get used to it very quickly.


    Utility for developing icons for Windows. It will allow you to create and edit icons, as well as manage icon libraries. You can edit PNG files, create and manage icon sets, and convert MAC icons to Windows format. You can purchase the app for $29.95


    Free and most popular icon editor in the world. Lightweight portable version that will work for everyone Windows versions. Some of them essential functions integrated into the icon explorer, so you can easily export icons, manipulate images, apply effects, and so on.

    Mscape Software no longer supports Iconographer, but you can still download this app and use it for free, which is ideal for those on a budget. With Iconographer, which is only available for MAC, you can design your own folder icons.

    Small icon editor. Alpha channels, icons up to 256x256 in size, libraries, XP icons and basic formats are supported: ICO, BMP, PNG, PSD, EXE, DLL, ICL.

    Installing the @icon sushi icon editor

    On our website you can download the @icon sushi installer, or portable version. Choose convenient option on the download page and install the program.

    English, but in the archive with it there is a Russifier.

    To Russify the program, do the following:

    1. Open the folder with installed program(default is C:\Program Files\aicon\).
    2. We find the “Languages” folder there.
    3. Copy the file into it Russian.lng from the folder with the crack.
    4. Let's launch @icon sushi.
    5. Go to the menu "Options" - "Languages" and select the language Russian.

    Done, the Russian interface is installed.

    Program interface

    After launch, the main program window will appear in front of us.

    With its help you can “get” hidden icons from files .ICO, .PNG, .PSD, .BMP, .EXE, .DLL, .ICL and change them as you please.

    As an example, let's open the AVG antivirus launch file to extract icons from it. Click "Open" and select required file with extension .exe. All icons from this file will be loaded.

    If we hover the mouse cursor over the buttons in the Open and Save area, we will see that the program allows you to save pictures in the following formats:

    • Regular single icon (ICO).
    • Multi-icon (a set of icons selected from the list in the same ICO format).
    • An icon library that can contain one or many icons (ICL).
    • Picture in BMP (not compressed and without transparency support).
    • Image in PNG (with alpha channel support).

    Thus, using @icon sushi you can convert ordinary pictures into icons and vice versa.

    Let's now try to make an icon from some drawing.

    Creating icons from drawings

    Here we will have to do a little prep work first. As already mentioned, the program works with images up to 256x256 pixels in size and not in all formats.

    Standard icon sizes for Windows: 16*16, 24*24, 32*32, 48*48, 256*256.
    Also sometimes used: 64*64 and 128*128.

    Therefore, to open a regular picture in @icon sushi, you must first:

    1. Make it square (cut it or add canvas).
    2. Reduce to one of the standard sizes.
    3. Save as PNG format.

    For these manipulations, you can use any graphic editor or even a simple program to view images.

    Icon editors allow you to change the file icon that is displayed when viewing a file, for example, in Explorer. A file with an ICO extension contains one or more small images different sizes and color depth. In addition to editing, the presented programs also allow you to create new icons (regular and system) for files, as well as site icons that are used on web resources (blog, website) for display in address bar browser or browser tabs/bookmarks, like this one.

    The icon editor must either implement special algorithms for working with icons, or use built-in system functions, otherwise the created icons will be difficult to use.

    Icons are typically 32 x 32 pixels with a depth of 256 colors, but sometimes 48 x 48 pixels, 64 x 64 pixels, and 128 x 128 pixels are used. Website icons should be saved in size 16 x 16 pixels with a palette of 256 colors. You can create icons in 32-bit color (and it's best to do so), but website icons used on the web should be saved in 256-bit color. You should not save website icons with a different resolution and color depth, as they may not be displayed correctly on some platforms.

    Want to get a web page icon?

    Google has created a simple service for extracting website icons in PNG format...

    www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=site

    Review of free programs for replacing and editing icons

    Icon editing program Greenfish Icon Editor Pro integrated approach

    Not everyone is professional software products are commercial. free program, complete with professional tools for creating, editing, opening and saving file icons. It allows you to extract and modify icons in executable files, or convert image files into icons and other graphic formats.

    The program allows you to work with icon libraries. It supports following formats images: ICO, CUR, ANI, PNG, XPM, BMP, JPG, GIF, as well as Vista compatible PNG icons.

    In addition to working with icons, the program allows you to draw cursors, small pixel images, animations and various supported images. The program also has some useful features, such as applying shadows, creating a visual lighting effect, and setting the bevel width.

    The program is easy to use. It weighs little and does not require installation. Simply download the zip file, unpack and run the executable file.

    IcoFX icon replacement and editing program, alternative to Greenfish

    As an alternative, there is a good free icon editor that is worth trying. The program has a rich set of tools and includes the capabilities of more than 40 image modification effects typical of most graphic editors. It will take some time to understand all the tools.

    The program allows you to create icons for your executable files, installation files, your website or blog. It also allows you to convert your favorite images into icons and vice versa. The program's capabilities also include converting Macintosh icons to Windows and vice versa.

    Another feature of the program is that it works with Vista icons in PNG format, with support for maximum color depth, including alpha channel (transparency).

    Another feature of the program is batch processing of icons.

    IcoFX

    Lots of tools, over 40 graphic effects, conversions between Macintosh and Windows icons, opportunity batch processing etc.
    The process for extracting and fixing icons for some executables does not work as well as Greenfish Icon Editor Pro.
    Read more: