How do I make an album icon then?

This is how I make themed icons like the rest on the site, if you want to make them to your own design then go for it, I redesigned all the icons here as a result of Chris Holland sending in better looking ones.

First download the tools, then scan in your cd cover (make your scan slightly bigger than the album cover, you can tidy it up later), what no scanner? well do a search on google then for "name of your album" and cover image. A lot of album covers are out there. If you have a scanner then scan at 100% @ 300 dpi (dots per inch, this is very high but there is a reason for it). If your scanner has a descreen function then use a 200 setting (lpi-lines per inch).

Now rotate your image (if its slightly pissed), and crop your scan to the size of the cover, I usually lose a pixel or two around the edge of the cover to keep it clean.

Now you need to retouch your image, I use Photoshop, but you can use any image editor.
First resize the scan by halving the resolution to 144 dpi, with the descreen on the scanner this should remove any unwanted patterns your scanner captured because it was scanning a printed image.

Next adjust your image so the blacks are black & whites are white (in photoshop use Levels, set white & black points) adjust the grey point if the image has darkened or lightened. Adjust the hue if neccasary, remove any dust spots or scratches with the 'clone' tools, then reduce the size down to 117 by 117 pixels at 72dpi (use bipolar imterpolation if available, uncheck the 'keep in proportion' box), this reduction will make the image look flat so sharpen it with an 'Unsharp Mask" filter to add depth again (I use between 10 and 50%). 'Select All' and copy.

Open the Masterialbum file, Paste (+V), then run the 'finish icon' action from the Actions palette (you may have to use the arrow on the side of the pallette to load the action if it is not available, you will find it in the tools folder with the rest of the files you downloaded). the action moves the cover up 1 pixel, flattens the layers, selects all, copies & opens the save as dialog. you can cancel the save and close the file, but don't save the changes!

Switch to Iconographer and open the 'Mastericon1.1.2' file, select the top icon from the 'Members' palette, 'select all' (+A), delete and deselect (+D), then 'normal' paste (+V). Select none (+D), Select 'Complete Icon' from the Icon menu. Save as 'Mac OS Universal Resource' (with the album's name!) to the desktop.

That should give you one Albumlink themed icon same as the rest on this site, If you decide to share it with the rest of us then pop it in a folder with a compiled* script and a credit for yourself, stuffit the folder and email it to me at albumlinks@solve-id.net

* A compiled script is still editable in Script Editor. To create one fill in the album / artist info in the AlbumLinkScript and test it by clicking the run button. If it works, 'save as' compiled. I have to check all submitted scripts before I will upload them to the site.

N.B. Make your scripts work with the MP3 tags that iTunes finds from 'Get Track Names' on the 'Advanced' menu. Don't change the track tags to fix a problem as it will then not run on anyone elses iTunes.

Drop me a mail if you have any problems.

Can't be arsed with all that? try the Quick&Dirty icon tip.