The Create Bitmap dialog has entry fields for the size and filename for a bitmap to be created. Simply fill in the fields and press ok.
The default toolbar bitmaps are defined in both VGA (Independent Color Form (=VGA)) and XGA/8514 (XGA/8514 - 16 colors) forms with a size of 24x20 pixels for VGA and 30x25 for XGA/8514. The text style bitmaps are wider, being 38x20 and 47x25 respectively for the aforementioned resolutions.
The user needs to be aware of these sizes if he/she intends to define custom bitmaps of the same size. However the toolbar will automatically adjust to bitmaps sized up to 100 pixels. The default size is a compromise between use of Window area and adequate graphical resolution for recognition of the function.
How To Make a Bitmap From an Icon
One method that may be used to semi-copy icons to bitmaps follows. The difficulty in this conversion depends a great deal on the clear background component of the icon. You may use this method to create bitmaps for use with the executable programs function. This will result in 32x32 pixel bitmaps which are larger than those used in the primary bar. The enlarged size however is not a problem for drop down submenu items. In fact, some of the drop down bitmaps provided (examples are the font and color palette bitmaps) are 32x32 copies of icons.
Users are encouraged to share any bitmaps they create with SofTouch Systems, Inc. who will make them generally available to other users or, optionally, include them with future updates/releases of the program.
Getting started
You must first select an icon to edit. If you are trying to copy a program's icon, the best place to start is on the General page of the program object settings notebook. Selecting Edit will open the icon editor in an icon mode. Optionally, you may select any *.ICO file with FileStar, then select edit to open the icon editor on that file.
Copying the icon
From the Icon Editor menu, select Edit->Select All, then Edit->Copy. Now pull down the Files menu and select New.... In the New dialog, select Bitmap, 32x32 size. A blank bitmap is created in bitmap mode. Now select Edit->Paste to paste the icon copy in the bitmap.
Editing the bitmap
After a successful copy, all that is left is touch up. How much of that there is to do depends on the transparency of the icon. The transparent parts of the icon are copied into the bitmap as black. You must 'fill' (Tools->Color Fill) the background area of the bitmap with Pale Gray (204x204x204 RGB) to blend into the FileStar toolbar. This copy process is seldom perfect. Generally you will need to do some touch up editing of individual pixels.
One problem with some icons will be filling unwanted areas with black during the copy. You may anticipate this by observing the outline of the icon and blocking any undesirable black fill paths with a different color.
Saving the bitmap
Save the bitmap as 'Independent Small Color Form' and v2.0 format. You may now use this bitmap with any function by associating it with a menu item. Right mouse click on the item, select Edit, select the edit notebook General page, select Load file..., load the file and close the notebook. The loaded file bitmap should be displayed in the General page bitmap viewing area with its path and name displayed below the viewing area.