Extract icon from .exe file to use with Sysmetrix

from WinCustomize Forums
I've seen several Sysmetrix skins that use the "Interactive Buttons" option, where a user can execute a program. I'm trying to build one myself and can't figure out how people are extracting the Icon associated with a particular program and get this "icon" into a .bmp file to use with the skin.

For example, if I look at my file called "PowerDesk.exe" in file manager, the .exe file has an "icon" associated with it. However, there isn't a .ico file. Where is this "icon" coming from and how can I make it into a .bmp file to use with the Sysmetrix Interactive Button?

Thanks for any help.
Mark
4,419 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Most program icons are built in with the program




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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Graphic Workshop Professional has a program called Resource Extractor that can be used to extract the icons from exe files and save them. There is a free version of it. But, there is a nag screen. Then, you can use microangelo or IconXP to export the icon as a bmp or PNG. But, if you use the PNG it needs to be 24 Million colors or you'll have a visible background that needs to be cut.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
IconPackager comes with a tool called IconExplorer which can extract icons from any EXE or DLL or any file that contains an icon. Very usefull tool that not many people talk about...
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks ChasUGC and Hus. I used the help from both of you. I used IconExplorer to extract the icons and IconXP to do the conversion. I then went into Photoshop and did the final edit.

I'm still trying to figure out this Sysmetrix theme stuff. I had to take the 16x16 icon and make one 64x16 icon in Photoshop. The 64x16 icon is just 4 of the 16x16 in a single row. I'm not sure why Sysmetrix works this way.

Thanks again for the help.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
read the sysmetrix documentation YMark, there is a section that explains the formats for button graphics
"The image consists of 4 frame from left to right - Off, Off Hover, On, On Hover."