Instructions for making model icons

Model icons must be saved as 16-bit BMP files in either RGB565 (non-transparent) or ARGB1555 (transparent) format.

Here are the instructions I posted earlier:
"Open the bmp by File->Open or draggig it into GIMP (I recommend setting Windows->Single Window Mode in order to make Gimp easier to use)

Then do File->Export To
name the file <file>.bmp
Open 'Advanced' and set the type to either RGB565 or ARGB1555 depending on if you have transparency or not (both in the 16bit section)
If you are using Gimp2.8, then select 'Compatibility Options' and enable 'Do not write color space information'
Then save and you are done.

Let's give up the philosophical debate.

I personally prefer some proprietary tools (Microsoft Office is far better than Libre-Office in nearly every metric I care about). However, I've chosen to use Libre-Office for Deviation documentation despite being inferior because (a) it allows more people to work on Deviation, and (b) it supports the fodt format which works very well with VCS.

I redrew FDR's logo in Inkscape for the same reason. Having source files that are not tied to a proprietary format is important to me.

But here we are talking about pictures. They can easily be managed in whatever tool you like. You do not prevent someone from using GIMP just because you chose PS. So use whatever tool you like. You need to get the bitmaps into RGB565 or ARGB1555 format. I've provided instructions doing so with GIMP. Others have provided them for PS. Now go use whatever tools you choose.

I will note that any discussion of piracy on this forum is verboten. I assume if you are using Photoshop (or any other proprietary software) that you have legally acquired it.