Developing software or designing a Web site? Make sure your project looks modern and up-to-date by checking the icons used against modern standards. This article explains the latest trends in making modern, good-looking icons for your software and on-line projects.
With every new release of Windows, Microsoft updates guidelines for graphic designers. If you want your project look consistent with the newest Windows release, it is essential to read and comprehend the guidelines.
Not getting much into technical details, Microsoft points out that Vista-style icons differ from older XP-style icons in several ways. The style of the new icons becomes more realistic than cartoon-line XP icons, but still remains symbolic without becoming photorealistic. Microsoft also extends the icon format by defining the largest size of the icons to PNG-compressed 256x256 pixel images, ensuring that applications look well defined on modern high resolution displays. Finally, Microsoft recommends that toolbar icons are optimized for smaller-size viewing experience, and advises that toolbar icons bear enough visual distinctiveness even in their lowest sizes. Toolbar icons in Windows Vista have no extra details such as shadows, and are flat with no perspective.
Well-designed and carefully thought of images enhance the appearance of your programs, making them more consistent with Windows and third-party software installed on the user's PC. Good icons improve usability and efficiency of programs, making it easier to learn and more intuitive through better communication of ideas through symbols. Good icons make buttons and actions simpler to learn and to use every day.
Vista Toolbar Icons are a set of readily available application and toolbar icons designed in the new Windows Vista style. Strictly adhering to the latest guidelines, the icons share common style, colors and gamma, and come in all standard resolutions, including the recently added 256x256 True Color format with semi-transparency. Vista Toolbar Icons can be used in products designed for Windows Vista, as application or toolbar icons, on Web sites and on-line portals. Simply visit www.777icons.com to view full-size previews of Vista Toolbar Icons.
With every new release of Windows, Microsoft updates guidelines for graphic designers. If you want your project look consistent with the newest Windows release, it is essential to read and comprehend the guidelines.
Not getting much into technical details, Microsoft points out that Vista-style icons differ from older XP-style icons in several ways. The style of the new icons becomes more realistic than cartoon-line XP icons, but still remains symbolic without becoming photorealistic. Microsoft also extends the icon format by defining the largest size of the icons to PNG-compressed 256x256 pixel images, ensuring that applications look well defined on modern high resolution displays. Finally, Microsoft recommends that toolbar icons are optimized for smaller-size viewing experience, and advises that toolbar icons bear enough visual distinctiveness even in their lowest sizes. Toolbar icons in Windows Vista have no extra details such as shadows, and are flat with no perspective.
Well-designed and carefully thought of images enhance the appearance of your programs, making them more consistent with Windows and third-party software installed on the user's PC. Good icons improve usability and efficiency of programs, making it easier to learn and more intuitive through better communication of ideas through symbols. Good icons make buttons and actions simpler to learn and to use every day.
Vista Toolbar Icons are a set of readily available application and toolbar icons designed in the new Windows Vista style. Strictly adhering to the latest guidelines, the icons share common style, colors and gamma, and come in all standard resolutions, including the recently added 256x256 True Color format with semi-transparency. Vista Toolbar Icons can be used in products designed for Windows Vista, as application or toolbar icons, on Web sites and on-line portals. Simply visit www.777icons.com to view full-size previews of Vista Toolbar Icons.
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