Truevision Graphics Adapter (.tga)

The TGA file extension, short for Truevision Graphics Adapter, is a raster graphics file format developed by Truevision Inc. (now part of Avid Technology) in 1984. Originally designed for Truevision's TARGA and VISTA graphics cards, TGA files were among the first to support high-color and true-color displays on IBM-compatible PCs. The format supports various color depths, including 8, 16, 24, and 32 bits per pixel, with the 32-bit format incorporating an 8-bit alpha channel for transparency. This versatility makes TGA files suitable for a wide range of applications, from digital photos to textures used in 3D video games. The format's ability to store high-resolution images with minimal loss of quality has made it a staple in video game development, film, and animation.

TGA files are structured to include several key sections: the TGA File Header, Image/Color Map Data, Developer Area, Extension Area, and TGA File Footer. The original specification included only the header and image data, but the format was expanded in 1989 to include additional metadata such as the date and time of creation, author information, and gamma values. This expansion, known as the "New TGA Format", enhanced the format's utility for professional graphics work. TGA files can be opened and edited using various image editing software, including Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and GIMP. They can also be converted to other formats like JPEG, PNG, and TIFF. Despite the emergence of newer formats, TGA remains popular due to its simplicity, flexibility, and broad compatibility with different software and hardware platforms.