Guidelines for good results Methods for importing icons Importing icons from files Pasting icons into resource files Using custom icons from the server Replacing standard icons When multiple settings files make sense Guidelines for good results Although most icons are 32 by 32 pixels in size, FirstClass Designer supports icons of other sizes and shapes. You can also use small pictures as icons. Top Methods for importing icons You can import icons: •       directly from files •       using the clipboard to paste copied icons into a resource file.         Importing transparent icons If you are importing transparent icons, import them from files instead of pasting them. The mask isn't included when you paste an icon into the resource file. Import them as PNGs into the PNG Icons category. Importing icons from files To import an icon from a file: 1       Choose File > Import Resources. 2       Select the file.         Shortcut Drag the file to the resource list. FirstClass Designer adds the icon to the Icon category in your resource file's resource list. The icon is assigned a unique resource ID and the resource name is the name of the original file.         Exception To make a PNG file become a PNG icon, drag it to the PNG Icons category. You can also drag it to any other category except PNG and have it remain a PNG icon, as long as its file name is numeric. 3       Choose File > Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac) with the icon selected. 4       Update the following fields: Resource name The name you want to assign to the icon. Resource ID If you want to change the resource ID assigned by FirstClass Designer without overriding a standard FirstClass resource, specify a resource ID between 28000 and 28999. To use an icon to replace a standard system icon, you must use the appropriate resource ID. Pasting icons into resource files To import an icon using the clipboard: 1       Open the icon you want to import in an application that lets you select and copy it. 2       Select the icon and copy it to the clipboard. 3       Use FirstClass Designer to open the resource file into which you want to import the icon. 4       Choose Edit > Paste. 5       Click Icon, if you are asked for the resource type. FirstClass Designer adds the icon to the Icon category in your resource file's resource list. The icon is assigned a unique resource ID and the resource name is blank. 6       Choose File > Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac) with the icon selected. 7       Update the following fields: Resource name The name you want to assign to the icon. Resource ID If you want to change the resource ID assigned by FirstClass Designer without overriding a standard FirstClass resource, specify a resource ID between 28000 and 28999. To use an icon to replace a standard system icon, you must use the appropriate resource ID. Top Using custom icons from the server FirstClass Designer can display any icon that is in your resource file, in addition to the standard FirstClass icons. You can choose a custom icon that is stored on the server rather than in the resource file you are working with, but you will not see it in FirstClass Designer. For certain fields, this means that you must type the custom icon's resource ID rather than picking the icon from a popup menu. Top Replacing standard icons We do not recommend that you replace the standard FirstClass icons, such as the unread flag and the status icons in the FirstClass Login form. If you must do so, assign your new icon the resource ID of the standard icon you want to replace. Caution Do not replace the mail list icon (resource ID 23013) if you want users to be able to sync with Palm™ Computing connected organizers. The Example.fc file that ships with FirstClass Designer contains the standard icons and their resource IDs. Top When multiple settings files make sense If you will be sending users a settings file, and you expect this file to be used on computers with different displays, you may want to make multiple settings files with icons designed to appear best on each display. The guidelines for optimizing pictures for different displays also apply to icons. Remember that some users might not use your settings file. Try FirstClass without your icons to make sure it is still usable. Top