Creating basic icons is simple. Building original and good-looking icons is more difficult.
First, be sure you are familiar with:
this important thread
You'll need these tools:
•
The Warcraft 3 Viewer
•
The standard icon template
1) Convert the file ICON_TEMPLATE_STARTER.blp to a .bmp .jpg or .tga using Warcraft3 Viewer.
2) Open the file with your image editing software.
3) While maintaining the integrity of the border, paint in the black area.
OR
3a) Open any image file and edit it to suit your needs.
3b) Resize the image to 56X56, then copy and paste it into the ICON_TEMPLATE_STARTER.
To easily create Disabled or other icon types, you need Adobe Photoshop and:
•
Icon Layer for Photoshop
4) After you are satisfied with step #3, (if in Photoshop) open the warcraft3icondocument.psd.
5) Drag the desired layer from the .psd directly to the center of your image.
6) Save the file with a new file name. Ex: BTNScarfWholeCountries.jpg DISBTNScarfWholeCountries.tga
7) Re-convert it back into a .blp.
If you don't have PhotoShop, you're gooned. You must make do with whatever image software you DO have in order to create the DISBTN, etc.
Please bear in mind this important information: