is it possible just to make a picture on a map without making it an icon first?
Yes. You can set the item's picture to a .png or .bmp file (in .bmp, 192,192,192 will be interpreted as transparent). However, to show anything larger than 32×32 pixels, you'll have to create multiple atoms with icon states like "0,0" (lower left corner), "1,0" (32 pixels to the right), and so on, then "0,1" (32 pixels up from the lower left), "1,1", and so on.
Yes. You can set the item's picture to a .png or .bmp file (in .bmp, 192,192,192 will be interpreted as transparent). However, to show anything larger than 32×32 pixels, you'll have to create multiple atoms with icon states like "0,0" (lower left corner), "1,0" (32 pixels to the right), and so on, then "0,1" (32 pixels up from the lower left), "1,1", and so on.
Lummox JR