bootable cd rom image

Make a bootable cd rom image

my search have revolved around a couple
of keywords.

hd2iso this is tool to convert disk image to an iso image
but which or what disk image? dont know yet.

the ideal would production a collection of files
with all the software then go through a conversion
process and i get an iso image i can boot in vmware
or on pc board.

did a a search on hd2iso. and here is what i found
on one microsofts pages.

It states: " After you have a complete run-time image, create an ISO-9660 image. This can be then used to produce a bootable CD-ROM."

couple of things i have read, to have a bootable cd there must be
support in the image for cdrom booting.
but what is this image they mention that is "before"
dont know yet.