Convert TIFF to TGA
About TIFF
The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) is a high-quality, flexible image format that is a standard in the printing and professional photography industries. It can be saved with lossless compression (like LZW or ZIP) or uncompressed, preserving all image detail. TIFF also supports layers, multiple pages, and extensive metadata, making it ideal for archival and complex editing workflows.
About TGA
Truevision TGA (Targa) is a raster graphics format that was originally designed for use with high-end graphics cards. It's a relatively simple format that supports both uncompressed and losslessly compressed data. Its most enduring use case is in the video game industry, where it's often used for textures and other game assets, largely because of its robust support for an 8-bit alpha channel (for transparency).
TIFF vs TGA
| Feature | TIFF | TGA |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | uncompressed, LZW, ZIP, JPEG | uncompressed or RLE |
| Transparency | true | true |
| Animation | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 3 |
| Patent Status | royalty-free | royalty-free |
| Year Introduced | 1986 | 1984 |
| Developed By | Aldus Corporation | Truevision Inc. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use TIFF for the web?
No, TIFF files are not suitable for the web. They have very large file sizes and are not supported by most web browsers. TIFF is designed for print and professional editing, not for online viewing. For the web, use JPEG, PNG, or WebP.
What's the difference between TIF and TIFF?
Similar to JPG/JPEG, there is no difference. 'TIF' is simply the three-letter file extension used by older systems. The format itself is officially named TIFF.
Is TGA still relevant?
TGA is a legacy format and is not used for general-purpose imaging or web graphics. Its relevance is mostly confined to specific workflows in older video games and 3D modeling applications. For new projects, formats like PNG or TIFF generally offer more features and better compression.
What is an alpha channel?
An alpha channel is an extra channel of data in an image that defines transparency. A standard RGB image has three channels (Red, Green, Blue). An RGBA image adds a fourth 'Alpha' channel. The TGA format was one of the first to widely support a full 8-bit alpha channel, which was very useful for compositing images and creating game graphics.
Transform Your Videos with AI Subtitles & Closed Captions
Get started with 10 minutes of free transcription. No credit card required.