Icon-A-Day, Icon # 9, Music CD.

Reusing elements, saving time.

from WinCustomize Forums
 
Icon 09 (Music CD)

    Yesterday was quite the day for me, and I ended up spending about 5 hours of my day on this project, between starting  the CorelDRAW for skinners videos, and doing the "My Computer" icon. I must admit the icon took me almost an hour to do on its own - mostly because I had to stop and take the screen shots - anyway I think it all worked out well and was worth it, but today I am going to take it easy and do something relatively simple. This will allow me to get back to work on another icon pack I am working on, and only about 15 Icons from finishing. So lets get started.
 
Step 1:

I already have a CD, that I made for the "My Music" folder, and a Note, leaning back, from the MIDI file. So I copy them. These will be our 2 main elements.

 Step 2:

First thing I do to the disk is give it a shadow to match our other stand alone icons. I can do this simply by copying it, squishing it, and using it as a shadow mask.

Step 3:

Using the "Interactive Transparency" tool I fade out the shadow.
Using the same techniques as in the rest of the icons I make the reflection on the "floor"

 
Step 4:

I have copied the note over strait from the MIDI file. It would almost work as is, including its shadows, but you can see that there is a reflection and shadow that is coming off the side of the CD. This looks funny so I will tweak it a bit.


 		 Step 5

First thing I do is delete the shadows from the original note. Then I skew the existing reflection a bit. and make it a bit less transparent, since a CD is a pretty reflective surface. Using the "Node Edit" tool I round the reflection bitmap to the shape of the disk.


 		 Step 6:

Now I want to do new shadows. So I draw up a few custom shadow masks; one for the shadow being cast on the floor, one for the shadow cast on the disk.

Step 7:

Now I pull my shadows, and fade them out with the Interactive Transparency tool.

 Finished Icon Image.

Download Finished Icon Here

There we go, time to get moving. Be back tomorrow, and we will both find out what is next, since I have no idea.

Read the other Icon-A-Day Articles: Icon # 1, Icon # 2, Icon #3, Icon # 4, Icon #5, Icon # 6, Icon # 7. Icon # 8.

CorelDRAW for Skinners videos: Mesh Fill 101, Gloss 101.

And don't forget to check for all the Icon-A-Day icons as they get made, in the Miscellaneous Icons Gallery at Wincustomize.com

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14,109 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Paul,

Once again, you have done a marvelous job showing us how it is done.

Please do take time for yourself.

I may even be able to recreate these bad boys (within 6 months or so) and have a set of icons with a reasonable facsimile of each - and then create a complete set with my own design using my new found understanding of these great tools.

Thanks, Teach.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mormegil, are you sure you dont work for Corel? With this incredible tutorials, they MUST be getting some major buisness from you....

Keep up the incredible work!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sweet... wish I could do that... my trial periods ended and all I'm left with is MS Paint and Irfanview.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Drives next ? You never fail to amaze me, Paul.