BMP File "How To"

Are you asking about Custom Icon files? Or full size pictures?

For icons ...

- Find or create an image that you want to make into your icon.

- Save the file as a bitmap (BMP file extension) using a graphics program. Microsoft Paint will work just fine. Be sure to save as a 256 Color bitmap. The size should be 24x24 or smaller. I have found that 18x18 or smaller works best.

- If you download an icon from this site, it should already be in the correct format and the correct size.

- Rename your icon EXACTLY the same name as your POI file except for the file extension (the three letters after the dot).

- For example, if your POI file was "Starbucks.csv", you would rename the icon for that POI as "Starbucks.bmp". Note that the names are case sensitive.

- You would place both files in the same folder on your computer. (Not on your GPSr.)

- Then run POI Loader and the icon will load with the file.

If you want to create your own...from scratch. Which is my preferred method, you need a program that you can "draw" with. See examples here

You'll need a program that will allow you to resize to the desired 16x16 up to 24x24 size.
You may need a program that will allow you to save your work in bmp format, as well as possibly importing or opening a file in say jpg format and save as bmp.
Which will be necessary if you don't want to draw your own, you can save an image which could be gif, tiff, png or jpg (that's not copyright protected) resize while trying to keep the aspect ratio intact, and saving as bmp.
If you want transparent backgrounds, you'll need a program that will allow you to set the appropriate background color as a transparency.

Anyway, that's the gist of the process.

It's sort of like asking Michelangelo "How does one go about painting a ceiling"

You will get many answers, and none of them are wrong. You'll just get better results some ways over others.

As far as programs, again, user preference as long as they accomplish what you desire.
I use several programs, each has it's purpose. Photoshop, UP, DrawPlus, Excel, even MS Paint has it's uses.

If all you desire to do is find an image, then resize it, and save as bmp. Just about any photo manipulating program should suffice.

OK, I get it. I understand. I've made it work, too!

Thanks to all!