Problems with screenshots

[Rave666]

Good evening all, I'm having an exceedingly frustrating time trying to view screenshots that I've taken. I'm using Windows Vista, and it doesn't recognize the file type that the screenshots are saved as, i.e. .tga, and when I change the extension type to either .jpeg or .bmp it says the file is corrupted.

Roar!

Any help would be appreciated!

Rave the...Dead Malkavian

[Jhereg]

Good evening all, I'm having an exceedingly frustrating time trying to view screenshots that I've taken. I'm using Windows Vista, and it doesn't recognize the file type that the screenshots are saved as, i.e. .tga, and when I change the extension type to either .jpeg or .bmp it says the file is corrupted.

It's not as simple as changing the extension. All graphic, sound, and video files have embedded binary 'signatures' that can be used to verify the file types. This principle also extends to other file formats. For example, .EXE files (programs) have an embedded "Program Segment Prefix" that describes the file as a program and indicates where it is supposed to start. Without this prefix, the operating system could not run the file.

These embedded digital signatures are frequently used by upload sites to prevent people from uploading malicious software when they are supposed to be uploading, for example, graphics, or sound, or video.

They are highly specific. It's simple to change an extension - it's substantially more difficult to convert a file. Most Windows-centric programs use the comparatively primitive expedient of converting input graphic files into .BMP format when they are loaded, and then converting the saved output into the format requested by the user, assuming that is even an option. Unix/Mac-centric systems do essentially the same thing, but typically use other formats internally, depending on what the OS is comfortable with. This allows for a single standard library of rendering and editing routines, with the file formats supported simply by a number of encoders and decoders.

The problem with .TGA (Targa) format files is that there are several different types of them. Most file types have a specific signature, sometimes versioned, but TGA files have at least three specifically different signatures that I'm aware of. It may be that Vista appears to support .TGA files, but just not the specific kind you have.

If your system cannot view these files, then I'm afraid your only recourse is to locate a program capable of viewing them, or, more ideally, converting them to another format as well. That gives you the maximum amount of freedom. You should be able to find a free one on the internet. Google for something like "TGA Converter Free", and you should get a number of options.

Most purchased graphics packages, even the cheaper ones, support such conversions as well, so it may be as simple as hitting your local software store. If you want instant gratification, however, one of the free viewer/converters can be picked up on the net and installed in minutes. That will probably be your first choice.

Having said that, I don't have Vista, and I've heard things about it that I'm not pleased to hear. You may have to try several different programs before you can find one that Vista is happy with. Perhaps somebody else in the community can make a more specific recommendation.

Good luck, and happy hunting.

[ellipsis jones]

[url="http://www.gimp.org/windows/"]The GIMP[/url] can handle targas. It's a lot more full-featured than you need for this purpose, but it's the only thing that springs immediately to mind, and it's free.

[Rave666]

Thanks!

Thanks guys! After a bit of searching I downloaded QuickTime and was finally able to reminisce over the exploits of my beautiful Toreador, though in my humble opinion my late Malkavian was better-looking.

Thanks again!

Rave the...Dead Malkavian

[Scrappy1566]

TGA to BMP

Found a great little free program called "WSQviewer" that does the job; had to play around with it a little 'cause the help file that comes with it is lame, but it's free and it works!