TGA file extension is associated with Targa and Vista products developed by Truevision for use with video software. Files that contain the file extension TGA were originally developed for Targa and Vista boards. These were graphics cards designed to support high color displays on IBM PCs for the purpose of professional imaging and video editing.
TARGA stands for Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter and the TGA extension is used for the Targa format. TGA files contain images which are made up of pixels in a grid that provide data on the type of color to be displayed on a screen. TGA also represents an industry standard for high-end graphics programs. The files can be in a compressed or uncompressed format. TGA files are also used with gaming applications for displaying graphics in real time.
How to Open TGA Files
TGA files can be associated with a number of different programs. You may save time trying to open TGA files by double clicking on them to see if they automatically open in a default program. If the file was created in your PC, chances are you may have the appropriate program for opening the TGA file.
If you use Windows, you can open TGA files using Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop CS6, which are applications that are part of the Adobe CS6 Creative Suite. If you do not have either of these programs installed, you can open TGA files in Windows using Apple QuickTime Player, ACD Systems Canvas 14, ACDSee Photo Manager 14, or Adobe Photoshop Elements 10.
For Mac OS X, TGA files can be opened using Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop CS6 by downloading the Mac version of Creative Suite CS6. You can also open TGA files in Mac using Apple Preview, Apple QuickTime Player, or Adobe Photoshop Elements 10.
If you prefer to convert TGA files, conversion programs such as Herculesoft 123 Graphic Convert will work with Windows. Snap Converter will convert TGA files for Mac OS X.
If you use the Linux operating system, you can open TGA files using GIMP, which is an open source GNU image manipulation program which is also compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. GIMP is available as a free download from the Gimp.org website and works with many different languages and file formats.
TGA files can also be associated with RealFlight Radio Control, which is an R/C flight simulation software program. The files can also be related to the Atari Jaguar Targa picture file, which is a miscellaneous file type that can be converted to CRY format for use with Atari Jaguar emulation programs.
