Copyright: Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT Help Version 2.9 Copyright © 1998 Gregory Braun. All rights reserved.
Citation: Copyright © 1995-1998 by Gregory Braun. All rights reserved.


Introduction
Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT

Copyright © 1995-1998 by Gregory Braun. All rights reserved.

Overview

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT is a small freeware utility that will allow you to load and display the ICON resources found in any disk file or application program.

Icon Extraction

Icon Extractor allows you to select ICON resources to be saved as individual ICO files.

Clipboard Copying

Selected icons can also be copied directly to the MS Windows Clipboard as small bitmap images. From here they may easily be pasted into most Icon Editor applications and utilities.

Drag & Drop Interface

You may also drag file icons directly on to the Icon Extractor’s main window to quickly open and view the ICON resources found in the specified disk file.

File Formats

Icon Extractor reads DLL, EXE, ICO, ICL, IL and NIL icon file formats.

Desktop Locations

Icon Extractor’s location on the desktop is saved when the program is exited. Whenever you start Icon Extractor it will reappear on the desktop where you last placed it. Icon Extractor dialog box locations are also stored and reused the next time they are opened.

Taskbar Tray

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT can be optionally configured to place its program icon in the Taskbar Icon Notification Tray. This option provides a simple means of keeping the taskbar button region clear for other running programs.


Installing Icon Extractor

Installation

To install Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT on your computer simply create a new, empty folder and place the files; ICONEX.EXE, ICONEX.HLP and ICONEX.CNT there.

ICONEX.EXE	- The Icon Extractor Application

ICONEX.HLP	- The Windows 95/NT Help File

ICONEX.CNT	- The Help Contents File

To integrate Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT with the MS Windows Explorer select the Icon Extractor Explorer Setup dialog box while Icon Extractor is running.

Note If you have an earlier version of Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT installed on your computer, simply replace the ICONEX.EXE, ICONEX.HLP and ICONEX.CNT files with the newer versions.

Note The ICONEX.INI file is no longer used and can be deleted. The various application settings specified in the Icon Extractor Options dialog box as well as the main window’s size and location on the desktop are now stored in the MS Windows 95/NT System Registry.

Note Some earlier versions of Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT included a ICONEX.WRI documentation file. This file has been replaced by the ICONEX.HLP file and can now be deleted.

Warning If you rename the ICONEX.EXE file you must also rename the HLP file using the same basename. For example if you change the Icon Extractor application file name to NewName.exe, rename the help file to NewName.hlp. Do not rename the ICONEX.CNT file however. The HLP and CNT files must reside in the same folder as the Icon Extractor application file itself.


Configuring Icon Extractor

Icon Extractor Options

Select the File | Options menu item to display the Icon Extractor Options dialog box. This window will allow you to change the various Icon Extractor program settings listed below.

Launch Multiple Instances

Check this item to allow more than one instance of Icon Extractor to be run on the desktop.

Reopen the Last File Used at Startup

Check this box to reopen the last file used when Icon Extractor is launched.

Show Tool Bar Tips

Check this item to display small popup tip windows when the mouse pointer is placed over toolbar ribbon pushbuttons. A short description of the button currently beneath the mouse will be shown when this item is checked.

Place Icon in the Taskbar Tray

Check this item to display a small Icon Extractor program icon in the Taskbar Icon Notification Tray. If this item is selected and the Icon Extractor window is minimized a button will not be added to the Taskbar, to restore the Icon Extractor window on the desktop press the small icon in the taskbar tray instead. This option is available to keep the taskbar free for other running programs.

Note When this option is selected, clicking on the Close box in the upper-right hand corner of the window title bar will minimize Icon Extractor instead of closing the application. To quit Icon Extractor use the File | Exit menu command or the Ctrl+Q keyboard shortcut.

SLR Camera Sound when Copying

Check this box to play an SLR camera shutter sound when copying selected icons to the MS Windows Clipboard.

Specify an Icon Editing Application

The Icon Editor you specify here will be opened when you press the Edit button on the toolbar ribbon. Specify the full drive and path when defining your preferred icon editing utility, or press the browse […] button to the right of the entry field to select an icon editing program using the standard MS Windows File Explorer.

Specify a Background Color for Clipboard Copying

The color you specify here will be used as the background when copying selected ICON resources to the MS Windows Clipboard. Press the Select button to open the standard MS Windows Color Picker.

Sounds with Warning Dialog Boxes

Check this box to play a short beep sound when Icon Extractor displays a warning dialog box or an error occurs.

OK

Press this button when you have completed your selection of Icon Extractor program options. When you press this button the Icon Extractor Options dialog box will be closed and your settings will be saved.

Cancel

Press this button to close the Icon Extractor Options dialog box without making any changes. If you have made any changes to the option settings, and then press this button your changes will not be used, and your previous settings will remain in use.

Help

Press this button to open the Icon Extractor Help window and go directly to the Configuring Icon Extractor topic.

Note The options you have selected will be saved when you press the OK button. The desktop location of the Icon Extractor Options window itself will also be stored. Your settings will be saved in the MS Windows 95/NT System Registry.


Icon Extractor Explorer Setup

Icon Extractor Explorer Setup

Select the Help | Setup menu item to display the Icon Extractor Setup dialog box. This window will allow you to integrate Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT with the Microsoft Windows 95/NT Explorer. Use this command to create and remove MS Explorer shortcuts.

Create a Start Menu Item

Check this item to create a Icon Extractor Start Menu entry. The Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT program will be located in the Software by Design folder on the Programs menu. This item will be disabled (grayed) if a Icon Extractor item already exists in the Software by Design folder.

Remove this Start Menu Item

Check this item to remove the Icon Extractor entry located in the Software by Design folder on the Programs menu. This item will be disabled (grayed) if a Icon Extractor item does not already exist in the Software by Design folder.

Create a Desktop Icon

Check this item to create a Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT program icon on the Explorer desktop. This item will be disabled (grayed) if a Icon Extractor desktop icon already exists.

Remove Icon from the Desktop

Check this item to remove the Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT program icon from the Explorer desktop. This item will be disabled (grayed) if a Icon Extractor desktop icon does not already exist.

Create a Startup Folder Item

Check this item to automatically run Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT whenever Microsoft Windows is started. This option creates a Icon Extractor program icon in the MS Windows Explorer Startup folder. This item will be disabled (grayed) if a Icon Extractor startup item already exists in the Startup folder.

Remove the Startup Folder Item

Check this item to remove Icon Extractor from the MS Windows Explorer Startup folder. This item will be disabled (grayed) if a Icon Extractor startup item does not already exist in the Startup folder.

OK

Press this button when you have completed your selection of MS Explorer shortcuts. When you press this button the Icon Extractor Setup dialog box will be closed and the MS Explorer shortcuts you have selected will be created or removed.

Cancel

Press this button to close the Icon Extractor Explorer Setup dialog box without creating or removing any MS Explorer shortcuts.

Help

Press this button to open the Icon Extractor Help window and go directly to the Icon Extractor Explorer Setup topic.


File Menu

File Menu Commands

The File menu provides commands to work with the icon files used by Icon Extractor. A short description of each item follows:

Open

Opens an existing icon file, and loads it for viewing. When this item is selected the standard MS Windows Explorer file browser will be displayed, use this window to select the icon file you wish to work with. The Ctrl+O shortcut can be used for this command.

Properties

Displays a small window showing file properties for the currently selected icon file. This window will display the file’s name, folder location, size, last modification date and file access permissions. The Alt+Enter shortcut can be used for this command.

Close

Closes the currently active icon file. The Ctrl+W shortcut can be used for this command.

Save Selection

Saves the currently selected icon as an individual ICO file. The Ctrl+S shortcut can be used for this command.

Options

Opens the Icon Extractor Options dialog box and allows you to change Icon Extractor program settings. Use this command to configure the Icon Extractor program.

Recent Files

This command displays a sub-menu containing up to 9 recently viewed icon libraries. Select a file name from this list to quickly reopen a recently viewed icon file.

Exit

Closes the Icon Extractor program and returns control to the Explorer desktop. The Ctrl+Q shortcut can be used for this command.

Tip Commonly used File commands can be invoked using shortcut keys or buttons on the toolbar ribbon.


Edit Menu

Edit Menu Commands

The Edit menu provides commands used to copy selected icons. A short description of each item follows:

Copy

Copies the currently selected ICON resource to the Clipboard. The icon will be converted into a small 32x32 pixel bitmap image. From the Clipboard the image can be pasted into most popular Icon Editing applications and utilities. The Ctrl+C shortcut can be used for this command.

Edit

Launches the Icon Editor you specified in the Icon Extractor Options dialog box. The Ctrl+E shortcut can be used for this command.

Tip Commonly used Edit commands can be invoked using shortcut keys or buttons on the toolbar ribbon.


View Menu

View Menu Commands

The View menu provides commands used to change Icon Extractor display options. These items provide a means of changing the Icon Extractor window appearance. A short description of each item follows:

Previous Page

Use this command to display the previous page of ICON resources found in the current icon file. The PgUp shortcut can be used for this command.

Next Page

Use this command to display the next page of ICON resources found in the current icon file. The PgDn shortcut can be used for this command.

Minimize

Minimizes the Icon Extractor window to a button or icon on the taskbar. The Ctrl+Y shortcut can be used for this command.

Always on Top

Use this command to keep the Icon Extractor window top most on the desktop. When this item is checked the Icon Extractor window will float above all other non-topmost windows on the desktop. This item is useful if you normally run Icon Extractor with a small window that would be easily obscured by other applications. The Ctrl+T shortcut can be used for this command.

Tip Commonly used View commands can be invoked using shortcut keys or buttons on the toolbar ribbon.


Help Menu

Help Menu Commands

The Help menu provides commands used to get help with Icon Extractor operations. A short description of each item follows:

Contents

Opens the Icon Extractor Help window and displays the Table of Contents. The F1 shortcut can be used for this command.

Search

Opens Icon Extractor Help and displays the Search window. You can use this window to search for specific Icon Extractor help topics.

How to Use Help

Opens a Help window that explains how to use the MS Windows 95/NT Help program.

Setup

Displays the Icon Extractor Explorer Setup dialog box. This window provides options to integrate Icon Extractor with the MS Windows Explorer. Use this window to create MS Explorer Start Menu items and desktop icons.

Web Site

Opens your web browser application and goes directly to the Software by Design web site on the Internet.

About Icon Extractor

Displays the Icon Extractor splash box. This window contains program information, the current version of Icon Extractor you are running and a program copyright notice. Click the mouse anywhere in this window to close it

Tip Commonly used Help commands can be invoked using shortcut keys or buttons on the toolbar ribbon.


Toolbar Buttons

Tool Ribbon Buttons

Most commonly used Icon Extractor menu commands can also be quickly invoked by pressing a button on the toolbar ribbon displayed at the top of the main window.

These buttons work exactly the same way as the corresponding menu items that they duplicate.

Open - Open an icon file for viewing

Save - Save the selected icon as an ICO file

Properties - Show the current icon file’s properties

Close - Close the currently active icon file

Copy - Copy the selected icon to the Clipboard

Edit – Open the default Icon Editor

Previous – display the previous page of icons

Next – display the next page of icons

Topmost – Make the Icon Extractor window topmost

Options - Open the Icon Extractor Options dialog

Help - Open this Help file

About - Show Icon Extractor splash box

Tip If the Show ToolBar Tips option is selected a small popup tip window will appear when the mouse pointer is placed over a button. A short description of what each button does can be viewed using this method.


Shortcut Keys

Shortcuts

Shortcut keys allow you to quickly invoke Icon Extractor menu commands without first displaying the menu and then selecting an item from it. The most commonly used Icon Extractor commands can be invoked using the following shortcut keys.

File Menu

Ctrl+O	Open an existing icon file

Alt+Enter	Show properties for the current icon file

Ctrl+W	Close the current icon file

Ctrl+S	Save selected icon as an ICO file

Ctrl+Q	Exit Icon Extractor, and return to the desktop

Edit Menu

Ctrl+C	Copy the currently selected icon to the Clipboard

Ctrl+E	Open the default Icon Editor

View Menu

PgUp	Display the previous page of icons

PgDn	Display the next page of icons

Ctrl+Y	Minimize Icon Extractor to a button or icon

Ctrl+T	Make the Icon Extractor window topmost

Help Menu

F1	Display this Help file


Comments and Upgrades

Comments and Suggestions

If you have comments, questions or find any bugs in Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT please feel free to contact me on CompuServe.

Upgrade Notification

If you would like to be notified when this application is upgraded send me an email message with your online address. Please include the version number of Icon Extractor that you are using and the location that you downloaded my software from.  I will email you when a new version of Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT is uploaded to my web site on the Internet, CompuServe, ExecPC, ZD Net, and MSN.

Gregory Braun

CompuServe: 71613,2175

Email: 71613.2175@compuserve.com

Web Site: http://www.execpc.com/~sbd

Phone: 1.414.444.8497

Contributions

While Icon Extractor is offered as Freeware, if you would like to pay for it you are welcome to send any amount you wish to:

Gregory Braun

5609 West Hadley Street

Milwaukee, WI 53210-1554  USA

Your contributions are always welcome, and encourage me to continue developing new applications.

Web Site

Visit my web site on the Internet to download the latest versions of all of my freeware offerings.

Software by Design Web Site

(http://www.execpc.com/~sbd)


Release History

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT Release History

v2.0	Original in-house development and testing of MS Windows 95/NT conversion using the Microsoft Win32 SDK.

v2.1	Added 95/NT splash box for release.

v2.2	Added an option to allow multiple instances to be launched.

v2.3	Added options to place the program icon in the Taskbar notification tray, and to play an SLR camera shutter sound when copying icons to the MS Widows Clipboard.

v2.4	Added support for screen color settings as specified by the Display Properties dialog. Added default user and company names to the splash box.

v2.5	Added an option to specify a custom background color for Clipboard copies.

v2.5	Implemented a drag & drop interface to quickly load and view icon files. Moved all ICONEX.INI configuration settings to the MS Windows 95/NT System Registry. Added an MS Windows Explorer Setup facility. Added MS Windows 95/NT Help file. Fixed several minor bugs.

v2.6	Fixed several minor bugs.

v2.7	Converted the Icon Extractor dialog box to a three-tab property sheet. Fixed a bug that prevented proper window repositioning when the MS Explorer Taskbar was placed along the left edge or at the top of the desktop and the Auto Hide option was active.

v2.8	Added a Recent Files sub-menu to the File Menu. Added facilities to the Icon Extractor Options dialog box to define a custom Icon Editor. Fixed several minor bugs.

v2.9	Added a progress bar when loading icons from a selected file. Icon Extractor now behaves like a true Taskbar Tray application when the Place Icon in the Taskbar Tray option is selected. Several other minor bugs have been fixed.

Last Update  February 3rd, 1998

Web Site

Visit my web site on the Internet to download the latest versions of all of my freeware offerings.

Software by Design Web Site

(http://www.execpc.com/~sbd)


System Registry

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT System Registry Key

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT stores configuration settings in the MS Windows 95/NT System Registry. These settings are updated automatically while Icon Extractor is running. There is no need to edit these settings manually.

If you insist upon editing these settings, you do so at your own risk. Icon Extractor automatically updates registry entries when it exits. If you edit these settings make sure Icon Extractor is not running while you edit them. If Icon Extractor is currently running your changes will be overwritten when Icon Extractor exits.

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT stores configuration settings in the following system registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Software

Software by Design

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT

Section

Label = Value

Warning There is no need to edit these settings manually. Icon Extractor will automatically maintain these settings for you. If you do edit these, you do so at your own risk.


Removing Icon Extractor

Removing Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT

If you find that Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT does not meet your needs you can remove it from your computer system by simply deleting the following files from your hard drive. All of these files will be located in the folder that you originally installed Icon Extractor in.

IconEx.exe	Icon Extractor application program.

IconEx.cnt	Icon Extractor Help Topics File

IconEx.hlp	Icon Extractor Help File

If you have opened and used the Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT Help files your system may contain the following two (2) files. These files are created by the standard MS Windows 95/NT Help program WinHlp32.exe. These files may also be safely removed.

IconEx.gid	MS Windows Help settings file. This file contains the Icon Extractor Help window size and desktop location as well as any bookmarks you may have created.

IconEx.fts	MS Windows Help word database. This file is created when you build a custom word list for Icon Extractor Help files. This file is used to search for words and phrases in the Icon Extractor Help files.

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT does not use any custom DLL files or system drivers. If you delete the files mentioned above from your system’s hard drive you will have completely removed Icon Extractor from your computer system.

Note If you have installed Icon Extractor shortcuts on the MS Explorer Start Menu use the Help | Setup command to remove the shortcuts you created before you delete the Icon Extractor files mentioned above.


Software by Design Web Site

Software by Design

You can download the latest versions of all of my freeware from my web site on the Internet. I post the latest releases of my software there first. Click your mouse on the link listed below to visit the Software by Design web site.

Software by Design Web Site

(http://www.execpc.com/~sbd)

Freeware Titles

The following software titles are available at my web site on the Internet and can also be found on CompuServe, ExecPC, MSN and ZD Net.

NoteBook for Windows	(NBOOK.ZIP)

NoteBook for Windows 95/NT	(NBOOK32.ZIP)

Reminders for Windows	(REMIND.ZIP)

Reminders for Windows 95/NT	(REMIND32.ZIP)

ToolBar for Windows	(TBAR.ZIP)

ToolBar for Windows 95/NT	(TBAR32.ZIP)

Screen Loupe for Windows	(LOUPE.ZIP)

Screen Loupe for Windows 95/NT	(LOUPE32.ZIP)

Screen Loupe for Macintosh	(LOUPE.SEA)

Audition for Windows 95/NT	(AUDITION.ZIP)

Password Keeper for Windows 95/NT	(PASSKEEP.ZIP)

CardBase for Windows 95/NT	(CARDBASE.ZIP)

File Editor for Windows	(FXEDIT.ZIP)

File Editor for Windows 95/NT	(FXEDIT32.ZIP)

Crypto for Windows 95/NT	(CRYPTO.ZIP)

Icon Extractor for Windows	(ICONX.ZIP)

Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT	(ICONX32.ZIP)

TxEdit for Windows 95/NT	(TXEDIT.ZIP)

DLL Show for Windows 95	(DLLSHOW.ZIP)

RGB Editor for Windows	(RGB.ZIP)

RGB Editor for Windows 95/NT	(RGB32.ZIP)

Quiz Wizard for Windows 95/NT	(QUIZWIZ.ZIP)

FontShow for Windows 95/NT	(FONTSHOW.ZIP)

Programmer's IDE	(PMAN.ZIP)

Programmer's IDE 95/NT	(PMAN32.ZIP)

Touch for Windows	(WTOUCH.ZIP)

Disk CleanUp for Windows 95/NT	(CLEANUP.ZIP)

BattleStar for Windows	(BSTAR.ZIP)

BattleStar for Windows 95/NT	(BSTAR32.ZIP)

World Radio for Macintosh	(WRADIO.SEA)

Note The latest versions of my software programs are always posted on my web site first. Versions found on the other online services may be earlier releases.


BBS and Internet Operators

Webmasters

Please upload the original ZIP file intact and title the submission:

"Icon Extractor for Windows 95/NT v2.9"

--Author Gregory Braun

Web Site

Visit my web site on the Internet to download the latest versions of all of my freeware offerings.

Software by Design Web Site

(http://www.execpc.com/~sbd)

Note This site also supports anonymous FTP transfers.