[Added minor updates to screenshots and AppleWorks availability on 06-25-2007]

So you want to make your own buttons:

Many people in the FileMaker community have emailed me asking what is my secret to making the Buttons & Things Collections. Most notably people want to know how I make them transparent around the edges.

I’ve answered who knows how many emails on the subject, but I decided to write it down for everyone. This tutorial is not intended to teach you any of the finer points of art, icons, blends, shapes, etc… but is simply a guide to making your buttons transparent like those in the Buttons and Things Collections.

Tools:

I’m personally a Apple Macintosh man myself so I recommend a Mac computer… but you PC guys and gals can skip this recommendation if you must.

I also use a little application call AppleWorks (once called ClarisWorks). It’s a product made by Apple that is kin to Microsoft Works. It’s a combination Word Processor, Database, Spreadsheet, Paint, Presentation and Draw application. You can get it at the AppleStore for $79.00. It appears that there is no longer a PC Version for sale. The last version I know that was PC Compatible was AppleWorks 5. We’ll be focusing on the Paint module. [NOTE: It looks like AppleWorks has been abandoned by Apple for iWorks, which has no paint module]

FileMaker of Course. Create a little database with a repeating container field to drag and drop these new button into for storage… hey, you don’t even have to do the programming… just pick up one of the Buttons & Things Collections! Wow what a thought!

A little creative direction is usually a good Idea. Be sure you have a plan or idea in mind. You can’t create a great looking button without an idea. Sorry folks, I can’t provide you with everything…. so you’ll have to come up with the ideas yourself.

Getting Started:

With the requirements out of the way, we can launch AppleWorks and get started. Choose the Painting Module from the pop-up list at start-up.

If your using a version on Mac OS 9 or the PC then take a good look at the toolbar on the left. Does it look familiar? It should. It resembles FileMaker’s toolbar/status bar. This environment should make you feel more comfortable.

Use the zoom gadgets and zoom in to 400% or 800%. (Unless you have great vision). This is where I create my master piece. Draw just like you would in any other paint or icon editing program.

From artwork to Button:

Once your button is complete choose the lasso tool from the tool bar. Use it to select around the irregular shape of the object. You don’t have select around it exactly, everything in white will be transparent.

Once you have the object selected, drag-n-drop it into the simple database you created to store your graphics or a copy of one of the Buttons & Things Collections.

You can also use Copy and Paste from the edit menu of either program.

That’s it….. Really.