In place July, 2000.  Last Updated May 24, 2001.

Converting .GIF Files to Desktop Icons
Download from: Impact Software	Step One: Gather your resources.  Use one of the links to the left to read a review of and download a trial version of Impact Software's MicroAngelo icon editor and librarian.  Once the download is complete, follow the instructions for installation of the program.  This is a shareware trial that lasts for 30 days.  The full version license is $59.95, and is well worth the cost.
	Step Two: Download a .GIF image from the site of your choice, or use a .GIF image which you have previously downloaded and saved to your hard drive. Only static .GIF images covert successfully to .ICO format; animated .GIF images do not convert.
	Step Three: Run MicroAngelo Studio from the Windows™ Start Menu.  (The program's shortcut should appear in the folder 'MicroAngelo' unless you specified a different location during installation.) Open the image you wish to convert from .GIF to .ICO (the standard Windows™ format for desktop and program icons) using the File menu in MicroAngelo Studio (ALT + F, O).  An image must be 64 x 64 pixels or smaller and have no greater than 256 colors in its palette to load into MicroAngelo Studio.  Larger images will not convert.
	Step Four: Edit the image as needed.  Transparent backgrounds are created using the screen color in the palette menu.  The image at left shows the screen color and yellow as the current palette selections which can be used with MicroAngelo's built-in drawing and filling tools.  Don't be afraid to experiment...there is an "Undo" command in the Edit Menu (CTRL + Z) which will undo the last action you performed. If you've made more than one mistake since you opened the image, MicroAngelo has a built-in multiple undo feature that allows you to backtrack to the very first action you performed. Failing that, you can always close the current file without saving changes and re-open it to start over.
	Step Five: Save the edited .GIF as an .ICO file.  Go to the file menu and select "Save as..." (ALT + F, A), choose a directory and type in a new file name, then select "Icon Resource" from the file type menu (it should already be selected) and click "Save." You now have an .ICO file which can be used on your Windows™ Desktop or in any folder on your hard drive.  For instructions on changing your desktop icons refer to Windows™ Help (accessible from the Start Menu). Be bold...Be creative...Harness your inner pixel-pushing computer geek and experiment like mad until you become an Icon Master. Good Luck!

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