Explaining this in one article would be WAY TOO LONG........so I've decided to split this into multiple articles.
Part 1: Downloading Images from the Web
There are many downloadable icons on the web, IconPackager themes, and the like. But what if you wanted to customize your PC with images from the web?
Whoever said that a folder icon had to have a picture of a folder anyway? What if you wanted to apply images to a folder that are from specific vendors, down to the make and model number of your installed hardware component or software version? Fortunately, this is possible. If you have Paint.NET & Axialis Iconworkshop (or other icon editing software), you can create icons of any size from basic images found on web search engine sites. All you have to do is type in whatever image you want. (i.e. GeForce 8800 GTX, Audigy Sound Blaster X-Fi, Dell XPS 710, AMD Phenom, Gaming PCs, etc.) If an image is larger than 256x256, that’s fine. When using Paint.NET, you can resize the image to 256x256 (or whatever you want). Paint.NET uses vector scaling when resizing, meaning that the image doesn’t lose any quality, regardless of size.
I have downloaded various images from Google Images such as my video card (EVGA GeForce FX5500), sound card (Creative SoundBlaster Audigy SE), PC (HP Pavillion a810n), and Monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 931B).
You could also download images of your favorite PC or Video Games, other software & hardware installed which may not have any icons (such as legacy software and/or hardware), your dream PC, (It’s a matter of opinion here.), apply your favorite digital photos, audio Systems, Box art of your favorite music artists, mobile devices (such as cell phones & Blackberries), Book Covers, HDTVs, company logos, etc.
Some great sites to find images of computers, hardware, software, and other electronics can be found at TigerDirect and NewEgg.
*NOTE: This is for personal use only. Redistributing copyrighted Images to the Web is illegal and may result in a penalty or fine. However, you can upload an image of your desktop screenshot showing off your newly customized PC on your WinCustomize Home Page.
I will discuss how to edit & apply these images in future articles.
