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Caketastic

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 9, 2012
1
0
I have some design questions regarding how to save icon images for use in iOS apps.

I am designing the vector images in Illustrator, then copying them into Photoshop and saving for web/devices as .png files. Here is what I'm not clear on:
1. So, for an iOS app icon for example, Apple specifies one of the sizes as 114x114. When I create the new Photoshop document into which I will paste the vector file, do I need to enter 114x114 at 326ppi or just leave it at 72ppi? I have asked various developers to no avail.
2. Do I need to create my new Photoshop document into which I will paste the vector file larger than the largest bucket? So, if my largest bucket is 512x512, do I need to start with a document that is bigger than that? If so, by what multiple? Double--1024x1024 in this case?
3. Do I need to create my vector file at exactly the same pixel dimensions as the intended size of the Photoshop doc I will paste into? So, if the Photoshop doc will be 1024x1024, should I set up my Illustrator doc at that exact size? I guess what I'm asking is if a smart object will scale without losing quality inside photoshop or if it becomes bitmapped.

Thanks for any help.
 
I have some design questions regarding how to save icon images for use in iOS apps.

I am designing the vector images in Illustrator, then copying them into Photoshop and saving for web/devices as .png files. Here is what I'm not clear on:
1. So, for an iOS app icon for example, Apple specifies one of the sizes as 114x114. When I create the new Photoshop document into which I will paste the vector file, do I need to enter 114x114 at 326ppi or just leave it at 72ppi? I have asked various developers to no avail.
2. Do I need to create my new Photoshop document into which I will paste the vector file larger than the largest bucket? So, if my largest bucket is 512x512, do I need to start with a document that is bigger than that? If so, by what multiple? Double--1024x1024 in this case?
3. Do I need to create my vector file at exactly the same pixel dimensions as the intended size of the Photoshop doc I will paste into? So, if the Photoshop doc will be 1024x1024, should I set up my Illustrator doc at that exact size? I guess what I'm asking is if a smart object will scale without losing quality inside photoshop or if it becomes bitmapped.

Thanks for any help.

I use Lightwave to create 3D icons for my apps, so I'm not sure about AI to PS. I create my icons at 512x512 and scale them down to whatever is appropriate for the device in question. I just ran across this free app not long ago that will take the work out of making multiple icons. It's kind of strange that you download the app from a link in Vimeo, but that's the way the developer has it set up. Just know that what looks great at 512 may be unrecognizable at 114x114. http://vimeo.com/24885192
 
I create my icons in Illustrator. I just use "Save for Web & Devices", repeating with each size I need as it is very easy to set the resolution that way. No need for Photoshop.
 
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