Windows 8 24x24 badge logo image failing wac tool test

Question

I am developing windows 8 app using tool Microsoft Visual Studio Express for Windows 8 When I am creating app packages to upload on app store it fails the WAC tool test and gives out following error.

Image reference "images\badge_24.png": The image "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps
\myproject\images\badge_24.png" has an ABGR value "0x1D5E50E9" at position (9, 0) 
that is not valid. The pixel must be white (##FFFFFF) or transparent (00######).

I searched on net and found the link Badge Issue in VS update 1

I am not using 34x34 image for badge logo. I am using 24x24 image still I am getting the error by wac tool due which I can not submit this to App Store.

I tried with using 34x34 image but its not working can any one help me with this?

Answer 1

I know this problem very well. It is not related to the image size but to the image content. The error message is actually very precise - not all pixels in your badge logo fulfill the requirement that they are fully white ##FFFFFF or transparent 00######.

I suggest your first step is a confirmation that my answer is right. For that purpose just create a temporary 24x24 image which would be completely white. If you use this temp white logo the WAC should pass.

Next step would be to get a proper logo image. I did the following with GIMP graphic tool (http://www.gimp.org/downloads/):

1. Identify background color of your logo, navigate to Colors > Color to alpha and select the identified color. That makes your background transparent.
2. Now it's time to desaturate the whole picture by Colors > Desaturate
3. Restrict bits to ##FFFFFF and 00###### only: Navigate to Colors > Brightness-Contrast and set both Brightness and Contrast to the max values.

To be sure, I am right you might want to attach your current badge logo to your original question.

Answer 2

The solution is really simple! Just import your badge logo into Adode Photoshop and Press [Control + L] or Go to the menu [Image> Adjustments> Levels] and set the values as:

Channel: RGB Input Levels up fields: 253; 1,00; 255 Input Levels down fields: 255; 255

Save your image!

Afterward, just redo do process of creating App Packages on visual Studio. Now Enjoy you app approved!