Glossary Sections
TGA
Overview
TGA stands for Truevision Graphics Adapter (TGA) image file format. It is a raster graphics file format used for storing digital images. TGA files can store images in a variety of color depths, including 8-bit, 16-bit, and 24-bit. TGA files can also store images with an alpha channel, which is a value that determines the transparency of each pixel in the image.
TGA files are typically used in computer graphics for storing textures. Textures are images that are applied to the surface of 3D models to give them a more realistic appearance. TGA files are a popular choice for storing textures because they are relatively small and can be easily read by a variety of graphics software applications.
Here is the structure of a TGA file:
-
Header (18 bytes): This section contains information about the image, such as its width, height, color depth, and whether it has an alpha channel.
-
Image data (variable length): This section contains the actual image data. The size of this section depends on the width, height, and color depth of the image.
TGA files can be compressed using a variety of compression algorithms, including run-length encoding (RLE) and lossless compression. RLE compression is a simple algorithm that reduces the size of the file by removing repeated sequences of pixels. Lossless compression is a more complex algorithm that reduces the size of the file by removing redundant data without losing any information.
TGA files are a versatile and widely supported image file format. They are a good choice for storing textures and other images in computer graphics applications.
Here are some of the benefits of using TGA files:
-
Small file size: TGA files are typically smaller than other image file formats, such as PNG and JPEG. This makes them a good choice for storing textures, which can be large files.
-
Widely supported: TGA files are supported by a wide variety of graphics software applications. This makes them a good choice for sharing images between different applications.
-
Lossless compression: TGA files can be compressed using lossless compression algorithms. This means that no image data is lost during compression, resulting in high-quality images.
Here are some of the drawbacks of using TGA files:
-
Not as widely used as other formats: TGA files are not as widely used as other image file formats, such as PNG and JPEG. This means that there may be fewer tools available to view and edit TGA files.
-
Does not support animation: TGA files do not support animation. This means that they can only be used to store static images.
-
Not as efficient as other formats: TGA files are not as efficient as other image file formats, such as PNG and JPEG. This means that they may take longer to load and display.
Overall, TGA files are a versatile and widely supported image file format that is a good choice for storing textures and other images in computer graphics applications.
Feedback
Please be sure to submit issues or feature requests through the embedded feedback form. In the event it is a major issue please contact us directly through Discord.
