iConvert Icons Review: Features, Pros, and Cons

iConvert Icons: Quick Guide to Converting Any Icon FormatiConvert Icons is a handy tool for designers, developers, and anyone who works with graphical user interface assets. It simplifies converting icons between formats (ICO, ICNS, PNG, SVG, ICN, etc.), resizing, and preparing icon sets for different platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android). This guide explains what iConvert Icons does, when to use it, supported formats, step-by-step workflows, tips for preserving image quality, common pitfalls, and automation strategies.

What is iConvert Icons?

iConvert Icons is a utility that converts icon files between multiple formats and creates platform-ready icon sets. It’s most useful when you need to produce icons at multiple sizes and formats from a single source asset.

Key typical uses:

• Produce .ico files for Windows from high-resolution PNG or SVG.
• Create .icns files for macOS applications.
• Generate multi-resolution PNG sets for iOS and Android.
• Convert vector SVGs into raster formats for older platforms.

Supported Formats

• Vector: SVG
• Raster: PNG, JPEG (source conversion possible)
• Platform-specific icon bundles: ICO (Windows), ICNS (macOS), Android/iOS asset catalogs (PNG sets)
• Some tools also accept layered formats (PSD) or icon workspaces — check the specific app’s documentation for exact support.

When to Use iConvert Icons

• You have one high-quality source (SVG or large PNG) and need multiple sized icons.
• Preparing release builds: platform-specific packaging (ICO/ICNS).
• Converting legacy icon formats for modern use.
• Batch conversion of many icons for consistent output.

Workflow — Preparing Source Art

1. Start with the best source possible:
   • Prefer SVG for vector icons (scales without loss).
   • If using raster, use PNG at least 2–4× larger than the largest target size.
2. Clean up the artwork:
   • Remove unnecessary metadata.
   • Flatten or export layers as needed.
3. Choose color space:
   • Work in sRGB for most UI/icon usage.
   • Convert to appropriate color profiles only when necessary.

Step-by-Step: Converting to .ico (Windows)

1. Open your source SVG or high-res PNG in iConvert Icons.
2. Select output format: ICO.
3. Choose icon sizes to include (commonly 16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 256×256).
4. For best results include both 32-bit PNG-compressed and uncompressed bitmaps where supported.
5. Export the .ico file and test in Windows Explorer and application icons.

Step-by-Step: Converting to .icns (macOS)

1. Load your source asset (SVG preferred).
2. Choose output: ICNS.
3. Include required sizes: 16×16, 32×32, 64×64, 128×128, 256×256, 512×512, 1024×1024 (Retina).
4. Verify transparent areas and alignment after export.
5. Pack into application bundle or use the .icns for installer/packaging.

Step-by-Step: Generating iOS / Android Icon Sets

1. For iOS:
   • Export PNGs at multiple scales: 20pt, 29pt, 40pt, 60pt (1×, 2×, 3× variations depends on use).
   • Ensure 2× and 3× raster sizes are crisp (e.g., 60pt @3× = 180×180px).
   • Build an asset catalog or copy into Xcode’s AppIcon set.
2. For Android:
   • Create launcher icons at mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, xxhdpi, xxxhdpi sizes (e.g., 48dp base scaled accordingly).
   • Consider adaptive icons: export foreground and background layers separately as PNG or SVG where supported.
   • Place into correct mipmap-/ or drawable-/ folders.

Tips to Preserve Quality

• Prefer SVG as the master source. Rasterize at exact target sizes rather than scaling smaller images up.
• When exporting to ICO, include a 256×256 PNG inside the ICO (Windows will pick it for high-DPI).
• Check and preserve alpha channels for transparent icons.
• Use hinting or manually adjust pixel alignment for small sizes (16×16, 24×24) to keep crisp edges.
• Test icons on the actual platform and device to check rendering differences.

Common Pitfalls

• Scaling small PNGs up results in blur and artifacts — always start from a larger raster or vector.
• Ignoring platform specifics: macOS and Windows apply different renditions and effects (drop shadows, auto-rasterization).
• Not including required sizes for app stores or OS expectations — apps can be rejected or look off if icon sizes are missing.
• Color profile mismatches causing color shifts; stick to sRGB unless a different profile is needed.

Batch Conversion & Automation

• Use command-line or scripting support in iConvert Icons (if available) to process many icons.
• Typical automation steps:
  • Keep a single SVG source repository.
  • Script generation of PNGs for all sizes and formats.
  • Validate outputs (dimensions, alpha presence).
  • Integrate into build pipelines (CI) so icons are regenerated on asset change.
• If the tool lacks CLI, consider combining ImageMagick, svgo, or purpose-built scripts with iConvert Icons’ GUI for manual steps.

Alternatives & When Not to Use

• For heavy programmatic workflows, pure CLI tools (ImageMagick, cairosvg, inkscape) or dedicated build scripts may be faster.
• If you need advanced vector editing, use Illustrator or Figma before conversion.
• If platform-specific tweaks (automatic shadowing, adaptive masks) are required, use native platform tooling in addition.

Quick Checklist Before Exporting

• [ ] Master asset in SVG or high-res PNG
• [ ] Correct color space (sRGB)
• [ ] All required sizes selected
• [ ] Transparency/alpha preserved
• [ ] Test on target OS/device

iConvert Icons streamlines the repetitive but necessary work of preparing icons for multiple platforms. With a clean source and a consistent workflow, you can ensure crisp, consistent icons across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.