Copyright: Copyright © Pascal Tremblay 1996


TurboIcon v2.01 Help

TurboIcon only supports 32x32 pixels and 16 colors icons.

What's new in version 2.0

What's New in version 2.01

TurboIcon Menus

TurboIcon Interface

More about the Author

How to Register

License and Copyright

Support, Comments and Questions

Glossary


What's New in version 2.0

·	I changed my program's name to TurboIcon.  IconMaster'95 no longer exists.

·	I have embedded the IconConverter'95 and the IconMaster'95 Setup programs into the IconEditor'95 program and called all this super pack TurboIcon for Windows 95 v2.0.  There is now a Converter Menu and the Set Options Window is not a shell.

·	I replaced the 'Quick Help...' screen by this help file.

·	TurboIcon is no longer freeware.  If you want more information, see the How to Register section of this help file.

·	I removed the (annoying) welcome screen.  I replaced it with a nice percent bar.

·	I modified the About Window (You can see my picture.  I know it's not super high quality but I started with a black and white hand scan).

·	I modified the Palette Window.

·	I added a new tool.  It's call the Type Tool.  You can use True Type Fonts to write into your icons.  Very cool!

·	I changed the desktop of my program.  The main window is located on the top of the screen and does not erase the background; this gives more work space and it looks much more professional like this.

·	There is now a Capture Menu.  You can capture any part of the screen under Windows 95 and convert it into an icon.

·	You can now enable or disable the border of the Icon Editing Window in the Set Options Window.

·	You can select if TurboIcon's windows are always on top in the Set Options Window.

·	You can now Select the Mask Color in the Set Options Window.

·	TurboIcon can now be the default file opener for the icons files.

·	Fix the multiple document bug.  When you open more than one icon, the other are Auto-redrawing themselves.

·	Fix an error that could occur while saving on floppy.

·	Fix the Converter selection.  The area is restricted to the size of the bitmap.

·	There is now a progress bar when you fill or rotate selections.

·	You can now press the CTRL key of your keyboard to draw circles from center instead of the edge.

·	You can now extract icons from DLLs and EXEs via the Extract Menu.

·	TurboIcon now ask for a confirmation before overwriting a file.

·	The X and Y position of the mouse are now displayed on the right of the Toolbar Window.

·	You no longer have to move a 32x32 pixels selection area in the Converter Window.  You click anywhere on the bitmap, with the left button, without releasing it, and the selection area will follow your mouse pointer.

·	Whenever you use a file, it's now placed first in the recent file listing of the File Menu.  It was previously placed last in the list.

·	Lots more...

Windows 95 is a trademark or a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.


What's New in version 2.01

·	The Help file has been modified.

·	Added Context Sensitive Help.

·	Changed the Setup Program.


TurboIcon Menus

Please, select the menu you need help for:

File

Edit

View

Options

Brush

Converter

Capture

Extract

Help


File Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

New

Open...

Save as...

Save

Exit


New
This menu creates new icons.


Open...
Select this menu if you want to open existing icon from your Hard Disk.  It will be loaded in the Icon Editing Window and you will be able to edit it.


Save as...
Select this menu if you want to save the icon you are currently editing as a new name.


Save
Select this menu if you want to save the icon you are currently editing.  It will be saved under the same name the icon had when you opened it.  If the icon is a new one, you will be asked for a file name.


Exit
Select this if you want to exit TurboIcon.


Edit Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Undo

Redo

Cut

Copy

Paste

Paste Opaque

Delete

Select All

Invert

Flip Horizontal

Flip Vertical

Rotate 90° Right

Rotate 90° Left


Undo
Select this menu to cancel the last action.  You can undo actions 11 times.


Redo
Select this menu after you accidentally pushed the Undo menu or button. You can redo actions 11 times.


Cut
After you have selected an area with the Selector Tool, you can copy it to the clipboard and delete it from the icon by using this menu.


Copy
After you have selected an area with the Selector Tool, you can copy it to the clipboard by using this menu.


Paste
After you have copied a part of an icon or an entire icon, you can paste the copied selection to the icon you are editing by using this menu.  You will then be able to move the pasted selection wherever you want it to be.


Paste Opaque
After you have copied a part of an icon or an entire icon, you can paste the copied selection to the icon you are editing by using this menu.  Opaque means that the colors of the copied selection will be pasted invert.  You will then be able to move the pasted selection wherever you want it to be.  To keep the colors invert while moving with the Selector Tool, use the right button instead of the left one.


Delete
After you have selected an area with the Selector Tool, you can delete it from the icon by using this menu.


Select All
Select this menu if you want to select the entire icon.  After this, you will be able to Cut, Copy, Paste, Invert, Delete, Rotate or Flip the entire icon.


Invert
After you have selected an area with the Selector Tool, select this menu if you want to invert the colors of the icon you are editing.  For example, if you draw a line using the white color on a black background, inverting the colors will force the background to become white and the line to become black.


Flip Horizontal
After you have selected an area with the Selector Tool, you can flip the selection horizontally by using this menu.


Flip Vertical
After you have selected an area with the Selector Tool, you can flip the selection vertically by using this menu.


Rotate 90° Right
After you have selected a perfect area with the Selector Tool, you can rotate the selection of 90° to the right by using this menu.


Rotate 90° Left
After you have selected a perfect area with the Selector Tool, you can rotate the selection of 90° to the left by using this menu.


View Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Arrange Toolboxes

Hide All

Show All

Icon Preview

Palette

Undo Window

Toolbar

Tool Selection

Zoom Control


Arrange Toolboxes
Select this menu if you want to replace all the desktop's windows(Toolbar Window, Tool Selection Window, Preview, Undo and Zoom Window and Palette Window) at their default location.


Hide All
Select this menu if you want to hide all the desktop's windows(Toolbar Window, Tool Selection Window, Preview, Undo and Zoom Window and Palette Window).


Show All
Select this menu if you want all the desktop's windows(Toolbar Window, Tool Selection Window, Preview, Undo and Zoom Window and Palette Window).


Icon Preview
If this menu is checked, the Icon Preview Window will be displayed.  If this menu is not checked, the Icon Preview Window will not be displayed.

The Icon Preview Window is a part of the Preview, Undo and Zoom Window.


Palette
If this menu is checked, the Palette Window  will be displayed.  If this menu is not checked, the Palette Window will not be displayed.


Undo Window
If this menu is checked, the Undo Window will be displayed.  If this menu is not checked, the Undo Window will not be displayed.

The Undo Window is a part of the Preview, Undo and Zoom Window.


Toolbar
If this menu is checked, the Toolbar Window will be displayed.  If this menu is not checked, the Toolbar Window will not be displayed.


Tool Selection
If this menu is checked, the Tool Selection Window  will be displayed.  If this menu is not checked, the Tool Selection Window  will not be displayed.


Zoom Control
If this menu is checked, the Zoom Control Window will be displayed.  If this menu is not checked, the Zoom Control Windows will not be displayed.

The Zoom Control Window is a part of the Preview, Undo and Zoom Window.


Options Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Grid

Line Grid

Dotted Grid

Set Options...


Grid
If this menu is checked, a grid will be displayed on all the Icon Editing Window.  If this menu is not checked, the grid will not be displayed.


Line Grid
If this menu is checked, a line grid will be used.


Dotted Grid
If this menu is checked, a dotted grid will be used.


Set Options...
This menu opens the Set Options Window.  In this window, you can set your preferences and the  Mask Color


Brush Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Small

Medium

Large


Small
Select this menu if you want to draw using a 1 x 1 pixel brush.


Medium
Select this menu if you want to draw using a 3 x 3 pixels brush.


Large
Select this menu if you want to draw using a 5 x 5 pixels brush.


Converter Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Open Bitmap as Icon...

Save Icon as Bitmap...


Open Bitmap as Icon...
This menu opens the Converter Window.  It allows you to convert an existing bitmap into an icon.


Save Icon as Bitmap...
Select this menu if you want to save the icon you are currently editing into a bitmap.  You will be asked for a confirmation and a bitmap filename before saving it.


Capture Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Capture Screen...


Capture Screen...
This menu opens the Capture Window.  It allows you to capture any Windows 95 screen and save it as a bitmap.

Windows 95 is a trademark or a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.


Extract Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Extract Icon from EXE/DLL...


Extract Icon from EXE/DLL...
This menu opens the Extract Icon Window.  It allows you to extract icons from DLLs and EXEs files.


Help Menu

Please, select the sub menu you need help for:

Register...

About...


Register...
This menu opens the Registration Window.  In it, you can register this product if you have a registration code.  For more information on how to register, see the How to Register section of this help file.


About...
This menu opens the About Window.  In it, you can see the license, the version the program and even my picture.


TurboIcon Interface

Please, select the window you need help for:

Palette Window

Preview, Undo and Zoom Window

Toolbar Window

Tool Selection Window

About Window

Capture Window

Converter Window

Extract Icon Window

Icon Editing Window

Registration Window

Set Options Window


Toolbar Window

The toolbar buttons are shortcuts to menu items.  You can also see the mouse location on an Icon Editing Window.

You can enable or disable the toolbar by clicking on the Toolbar menu from the View Menu.

Select the button you need help for:

New

Open

Save

Undo

Redo

Cut

Copy

Paste

Help


New
This button creates new icons.


Open
Press this button if you want to open existing icon from your Hard Disk.  It will be loaded and you will be able to edit it.


Save
Press this button if you want to save the icon you are currently editing.  It will be saved under the same name the icon had when you opened it.  If the icon is a new one, you will be asked for a file name.


Undo
Press this button to cancel the last action.  You can undo actions 11 times.


Redo
Press this button after you accidentally pushed the Undo button or menu. You can redo actions 11 times.


Cut
After you have selected an area with the 'Selector' tool, you can copy it to the clipboard and delete it from the icon by using this button.


Copy
After you have selected an area with the 'Selector' tool, you can copy it to the clipboard by using this button.


Paste
After you have copied a part of an icon or an entire icon, you can paste the copied selection to the icon you are editing by using this menu.  You will then be able to move the pasted selection wherever you want it to be.


Help
Press this button if you need help.  This will bring the 'Context' window of the Help file.


Tool Selection Window

Please, select the tool you need help for:  (click on the tool).


Selector Tool

Overview:

This tool allows you use the Cut, Copy, Paste, Paste Opaque, Delete, Invert, Flip and Rotate menus.  Basically, it selects the part of the icon you want to cut, copy, delete, etc.

The Icon Editing Window before you use the Selector [image] Tool:

How to select an area:

1-You click on the Selector Tool.

2- You click on the top left of the part of the icon you want to cut, copy, delete, etc. with the left mouse button without releasing the button.  Use the <Shift> key of your keyboard while you are selecting, to force your selection to be a perfect square.

3- You move the mouse to the bottom right  part of the icon  you want to cut, copy, etc. and you release the button.

You know have selected an area.  You can cut, copy, delete, invert, flip, rotate or move this area.

The Icon Editing Window should look like this:

A useful tool:

This tool is also used to move a selected area, a pasted selection or a text created by the Type Tool.

When you use the Paste, the Paste Opaque menus or the Type Tool, the pasted images or the text will be the draw on the top left of the icon and then selected, just like if you would have selected them.  This allows you to move the selected area wherever you want on the screen.

How to move a selected area:

Once you have selected an area or once an image or a text has been selected, you can move them.

1-  If you want to move them opaque, click in the selected area with the left mouse button and do not release it.

2-  The area will follow you mouse pointer.  For example, if you move your mouse pointer down, the selected area will also move down.

3-  When the selected area seems to be at the good place, just release the mouse button.

To move a selection using the invert effect, use the right button instead.  After you have released the mouse button, you can move the selection again by repeating the steps below or you can click outside the selected area when the selected area is at the good place.

If you use the left button (opaque) the Icon Editing Window should look like this:

If you use the right button (invert) the Icon Editing Window should look like this:

After you click outside the select area, the Icon Editing Window should look like this:


Pencil Tool

This tool is used to draw small points on the Icon Editing Window.  The point size is the same size then the Brush.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.  Do not release the button if you want to do continuous drawing.

See also the Brush Menu.


Fill Tool

Use this tool to fill a part of the icon you are editing.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.


Line Tool

Use this tool to draw lines on the icon you are editing.  You click with the right or the left button of the mouse, without releasing the button, on the start location of the line.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the line and you release the button.

To draw perfect lines press Shift key of your keyboard while you are drawing the line.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.


Box Tool

Use this tool to draw boxes on the icon you are editing.  You click with the right or the left button of the mouse, without releasing the button, on the start location of the box.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the box and you release the button.

To draw perfect boxes press Shift key of your keyboard while you are drawing the box.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.


Filled Box Tool

Use this tool to draw filled boxes on the icon you are editing.  You click with the right or the left button of the mouse, without releasing the button, on the start location of the filled box.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the filled box and you release the button.

To draw perfect boxes press Shift key of your keyboard while you are drawing the box.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.


Circle Tool

Use this tool to draw circles on the icon you are editing.  You click with the right or the left button of the mouse, without releasing the button, on the start location of the circle.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the circle and you release the button.

To draw perfect circles press Shift key of your keyboard while you are drawing the circle.

To draw circles from the center instead of the edge, click on the Circle Tool, press the CTRL key of your keyboard, click on the start location of the circle and release the CTRL key.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the circle and you release the mouse button.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.


Filled Circle Tool

Use this tool to draw filled circles on the icon you are editing.  You click with the right or the left button of the mouse, without releasing the button, on the start location of the filled circle.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the filled circle and you release the button.

To draw perfect circles press Shift key of your keyboard while you are drawing the circle.

To draw circles from the center instead of the edge, click on the Filled Circle Tool, press the CTRL key of your keyboard, click on the start location of the circle and release the CTRL key.  You move the mouse pointer to the end of the circle and you release the mouse button.

If you use this tool with the left button, the foreground color of the Palette Window will be used.  If you use this tool with the right button, the background color of the Palette Window will be used.


Type Tool

Use this tool to draw letters with True Type Fonts on your icons.  You select the font, the size of the font and the special effects you want by clicking on the 'Font...' button.  You then type your text on the text frame, in the input box.  When you are done, you click on the OK button or on the CANCEL button if you don't want to use this tool.

Remember that an icon is 32x32 and that if you type a roman, the fonts may not fit.

The colors of the Palette Window will be used.  The foreground color of the Palette is the color of the text and the background color of the Palette is the background color of the text.


Palette Window

The Palette Window is used to determine the color that will be used when you draw with tools.  You click with the left mouse button on any color to set the foreground color.  You click with the right mouse button on any color to set the background color.


Preview, Undo and Zoom Window

The Preview Frame gives you a preview of the icons you are editing.

The Undo Frame is a preview of what the icon will look if you use the Undo Menu.

The Zoom Frame lets you set the Zoom of the icon.  The maximum value of the Zoom is 8:1 and the minimum value of the Zoom is 1:1.

You can enable or disable any Frame with the View Menu.


About Window

This window gives you information about TurboIcon.  You can even see my picture.


Capture Window

This window is used to capture windows.   You click on the 'Capture' button to capture the current screen.  You click on the 'Cancel' button to cancel the capture and return to TurboIcon.


Converter Window

This window appears after you have opened a bitmap or after you have captured a window.  If the bitmap is less than 32x32 pixels, you cannot select an area.  If the bitmap is more than 32x32 pixels, click anywhere on the bitmap, with the left button, without releasing it, and the selection area will follow your mouse pointer.  When the preview seems good, release the mouse button and click on the 'Convert' button.  Use the scroll bars to navigate the bitmap.

Use the 'Save BMP' button to save current screen into bitmap.


Icon Editing Window

This window appears when you open an icon.  You can edit the icon by using the tools.  This window is a zoomed representation of the icon.  You can see a preview of the final icon on the Preview Frame of the Preview, Undo and Zoom Window.


Set Options Window

Always on Top:

Check the windows you want to be always on top.  The always on top windows will be on top of the Icon Editing Window and on top of all other programs.

Borders:

Check the windows that will have borders.

Default Opener:

Check this option if you want TurboIcon to open an icon when you double-click on it in the Windows 95 Explorer.

Mask Color:

Select the Mask Color by clicking on one of the palette's colors.

Windows 95 and Explorer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.


Registration Window

If you have registered TurboIcon, type in the name in which you registered and the registration code that you were sent, and click on the 'Register' button.  If you do not register, you will not be allowed to proceed with the save operation.

See also the How to Register section of this help file.


Extract Icon Window

After you clicked on the Extract Icon from EXE/DLL... menu, you have to select the EXE or the DLL you want to extract an icon from.

After you have selected the good EXE or DLL, click on any icon displayed and press the 'Extract Icon' button to open it into an Icon Editing Window.

Click on the '...' button, located at the end of the input box, on the top of the Extract Icon Window, to select another file.

Click on the 'Cancel' button if you don't want to extract an icon.

Note that not all EXEs and DLLs contains icons.


More about the Author

My name is Pascal Tremblay and I am just sixteen.  I live in Dorval, Quebec, Canada (Montreal).

I speak French, English and (Spanish).  I started programming when I was fifteen, with Quick Basic v4.5®.  I then jumped to Visual Basic v3.0® and now, I have just released TurboIcon in Visual Basic v4.0®.

Well, what more can I say about me???  I like sports, surfing on the 'Net and programming...  but not homework.

Quick Basic and Visual Basic are trademarks or registered tradmarks of Microsoft Corporation.


How to Register

To register (and to be able to save icons), send 12,00$ in CANADIAN funds with your Full Name, Postal Address, Phone Number and Email address to:

Pascal Tremblay,

490 Boul. Galland #402

Dorval, Québec, Canada

H9S 5T3

You can send a check or a postal money order.  If you live in the USA, send a $10 (US) check or a $10 (US) postal money order.

Here are the needed information:

Full Name:	_______________________________________

E-mail:	_______________________________________

Address:	_______________________________________

                	_______________________________________

                	_______________________________________

                	_______________________________________

Phone#: 	_______________________________________

Comments:	_______________________________________

(optional)    	_______________________________________


License and Copyright

TurboIcon is copyright (c) Pascal Tremblay 1996.  You can distribute TurboIcon freely without even asking my permission... so pass it to all your friends.

There is no warranty of any kind.  I have tested the program on my system and it's working just fine.  I do not assume any responsibilities of what the program can cause on your system.  You have to accept the terms of the license agreement to run the software.

If you register this program, you can only use your name and your code for one program in one computer.  So don't go around and tell all your friends your code.  I worked two hundred hours and more on this program so please, respect the license.


Support, Comments and Questions

If you have any questions, comments or if you are having a hard time with TurboIcon just send mail to the address below.

Internet e-mail:

pask@accent.net

Visit the new TurboIcon Home Page at:

http://www.accent.net/pask/turboicon

Before reporting any bugs or imperfections, make sure it's not in the TurboIcon's official bugs list at:

http://www.accent.net/pask/turboicon/tibugs.html


Glossary

Select a word:

Mask Color


Mask Color
The mask color is the color that is transparent when you save icons.

for example, if the mask color is white, all what will be drawn in white in the icon will be transparent. (this means that if there is a picture behind the icon, you will see the picture instead of the mask color).