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8 Replies Last post: Aug 8, 2008 10:48 AM by Demonic_Rush

Demonic_Rush

96 posts since
Aug 27, 2007

Apr 25, 2008 9:43 AM

Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

Okay, so I've made a few homemade icons using Preview, and I'm happy with the results but I can't click on them when they are on the Desktop. They are clickable when in any window, but when placed on the actual desktop the icon itself isn't selectable. The title and the "alias arrow" are selectable but not the image.

Example here

Notice it the icon with the title "Class Notes".

Can anyone help me out here?

Reply Tags: icon, not_clickable, not_selectable

Tom_Diola

2,017 posts since
Oct 19, 2001

1. Apr 25, 2008 2:41 PM

in response to: Demonic_Rush

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

Demonic_Rush

96 posts since
Aug 27, 2007

2. Apr 25, 2008 1:10 PM

in response to: Tom_Diola

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

no.

Actually, I right-click on the original and click on "Make Alias", like I have been since like system 7 or 8.

The problem is the homemade icon not the alias. The Projects folder, which is also an alias in case you can't tell, is selectable. The original folder is also not selectable when on the desktop sooo yeah..... it's not the fact it's an alias.

Anyone with a real answer and not dumb sarcasm please answer

dougster

4,209 posts since
Feb 25, 2001

3. Apr 25, 2008 2:32 PM

in response to: Demonic_Rush

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

Demonic_Rush wrote:no.

Anyone with a real answer and not dumb sarcasm please answer

Yes, but you just cut your chances in 1/2 for any help. -Tom's intent was not sarcasm. Good luck...

-doug

Demonic_Rush

96 posts since
Aug 27, 2007

4. Apr 26, 2008 10:14 AM

in response to: dougster

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

Okay, Fair enough, I may have been a bit mean too, but I'm glad that a moderator whited out his response and modified mine in order to keep this forum on point .

I feel the issue still stands non-the-less. What is a user to do when making custom Icons?
I've never had this problem before, but now in leopard, things seem to have changed a bit...

Tom_Diola

2,017 posts since
Oct 19, 2001

5. Apr 26, 2008 12:11 PM

in response to: Demonic_Rush

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

Silly rabbit - moderators don't white out users text.
And I've never had an entry removed by the moderators.
Macworld runs the best forum for me. I've had many
problems solved and only try to help - but I've always
found starting from the most basic questions gives us
a sense of where to go from there. I have to admit
that making custom icons is not something I've ever
done and even pasting in custom pics into the place
holders of the icons is something I haven't done since
the early os days - maybe you could paste in an apple
made icon to see if that works.

Demonic_Rush

96 posts since
Aug 27, 2007

6. Apr 26, 2008 2:50 PM

in response to: Tom_Diola

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

I can only assume it was a moderator, but to whoever it was that modified the posts, thank you. I guess it doesn't really matter who did it, as long as everything is kept on point.

Now, moving forward, both Apple made icons, other "professionally" created icons, as well as my own older icons work, regardless of whether or not it is the original file or an alias of the file on the desktop.

I can only assume my method is flawed, and admittedly I made that particular icon (Class Notes) with Preview.app before I was able to find my Photoshop installation.

My problem when making icons has always been in creating the transparency and alpha space. Before Leopard I used the combo of Pic2icon (now defunct) and Photoshop. Since Pic2icon is hit or miss in leopard, I tried using preview.app and it seemed to work. Only problem was that my icons are now only selectable in a window and not the desktop (unless I highlight the title).

I don't mind starting from scratch since I still have all of the individual elements, so if anyone knows of a surefire way to get this project moving without mad-expensive software please shed some light on this おねがいします。

Typhoon14

2,156 posts since
Feb 2, 2001

7. Apr 26, 2008 3:44 PM

in response to: Demonic_Rush

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

I don't use the Desktop myself, but I do seem to recall that translucent components of Desktop icons tend not to be clickable, which could explain your problem. Not really sure how to fix it - sorry.

Demonic_Rush

96 posts since
Aug 27, 2007

8. Aug 8, 2008 10:48 AM

in response to: Demonic_Rush

Re: Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

Hey, here's an interesting update to the icon problem I had before..

It turns out the the Home Made icons aren't clickable when the size is maxed out (128x128)
However they are good up until 112x112. Past that you can't click on them.

Anyone know why that is?

Below is an image of how it is now (before I couldn't highlight it w/o touching the "alias arrow")

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/demonic_rush/Picture1-3.png

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This Question is Not Answered

Apr 25, 2008 9:43 AM

Can't Click on certain Desktop Icons

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