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TGA File Info - What is a TGA File Format?

What is TGA file format?

TGA (Truevision Graphics Adapter) is a raster graphics file format, used for storing high-color-depth images. Developed by Truevision in 1984, it is one of the oldest file formats still in use. It is used for storage of images with 16.8 million colors and supports image transparency.

TGA File Info

TGA (Truevision Graphics Adapter) files are a type of raster graphics file format used to store images. They are typically used to store high-resolution bitmap images with up to 32-bits of color depth. TGA files can be compressed, and they are usually used to store textures, icons, and other graphical elements. As with most other raster graphics files, TGA files can be opened and edited with image editors such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP.

What does TGA file format stand for?

TGA stands for Truevision Graphics Adapter.

Software, Tool, or Editor used to Create TGA File

The most popular software for creating TGA files is Adobe Photoshop. Other popular tools and editors which can be used to create TGA files include GIMP, Corel PaintShop Pro, and Paint.net.

Software, Tool, or Editor used to Open TGA File

A TGA file can be opened with a variety of image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Corel PaintShop Pro, Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft Paint.

License Type of TGA File Format

The TGA file format is owned by Truevision, Inc. and is licensed under a proprietary license.

Usage of TGA File Format

  1. Storing Texture Maps: TGA files are commonly used in the video game industry for storing texture maps used to texture 3D models in games.

  2. Digital Illustrations: TGA files are suitable for storing digital illustrations, paintings, and graphics due to their support for lossless compression and high color depth.

  3. Animation Frames: TGA files can store individual frames of animations, making them useful for creating and editing animated sequences.

  4. Image Editing: TGA files are compatible with many image editing software, making them a choice for intermediate stages in the image editing workflow.

  5. Legacy Graphics: TGA files are still used for legacy graphics, especially when compatibility with older software and hardware is required.

Strucutre of a TGA File Extension

  1. Header: Contains information about the image, such as the image size, image type, color map data, and the Image ID.
  2. Image Data: Contains the actual pixels of the image.
  3. Color Map Data: Contains information about the color palette used in the image.
  4. Extension Area: Contains extra data related to the image.
  5. Developer Area: Contains data related to the image’s development, such as the author, software used, etc.
  6. Footer: Contains the signature of the TGA file format.

History of TGA Format

The TGA (TARGA) file format was created in 1984 by the Truevision company. It was one of the first widely accepted file formats for storing images. It was designed to support 24-bit color images and was used mainly for storing high-resolution images. The format was later expanded to support 32-bit color images.

The TGA format was widely used during the 90s, but its popularity has declined since then due to the emergence of newer and more efficient file formats such as JPEG and PNG. However, the TGA format is still used in various applications such as video game development, 3D modeling, and animation.

The TGA file format has also been used for storing medical images, images

Future of TGA Format

The TGA file format is a legacy format that is used for storing bitmap images. Despite its age, it has remained a popular choice due to its simple structure, which makes it easy to read and write. As a result, it is still widely used today, especially in the fields of computer graphics and video game development.

As technology advances, newer graphic file formats such as BMP, PNG, and JPEG become more widely used. However, the TGA file format will most likely continue to be used for some time due to its simplicity and reliability.

It is also possible that the TGA format could be improved in the future, as new features or enhancements are developed. This could include

Operations Performed on TGA File Format

To view and perform all the operations on TGA files, Check these free online TGA web apps

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