Help converting TGA screenshots

**Aemilius Paulus** · 12-09-2008, 01:39

I am trying to upload a screenshot for the December Screenshot Competition but everytime I try to convert the TGA files to JPEG or PNG(for best quality), all I get are blank, solid black pictures. I also tried a couple of batch converters in addition to GIMP & IfranView, but none seem to work. I even went to those online converters, but once again, at no avail. Are there any possible explanations for this? Oh, and in case it helps, the screenshots are all solid black in the screenshot (tgas) folder as well. I do not know if it is normal, but maybe that is my problem.

Would anyone mind explaining to me how to convert TGA files using GIMP? I went to the GIMP website, but found no info regarding file conversion. I attempted using "Saving As" and saving the TGAs as JPEG, but that did not work.

I guess I will just switch to Fraps, but I already have more than 550 screenshots I have taken in my Romani EB campaign, with which I could make a Romani AAR (my personal dream) or enter a screenshot competition, as I have a couple of excellent pictures for that as well.

Thanks in advance,

AP

**johnhughthom** · 12-09-2008, 01:47

Have you tried turning off anti-aliasing before taking your shots? I use the method you tried with GIMP to convert to JPEG with no problems.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 12-09-2008, 02:14

Originally Posted by johnhughthom

Have you tried turning off anti-aliasing before taking your shots?

Do you really have to do that? I have seen numerous unedited screenshots that clearly had anti-initialising off and I think it was MAA who said that it was not necessary. I already have more than 550 screenies as I have said, and losing them would be quite a blow for me. I was wondering if there was any way to recover them.

So, for all of you EB players! When you go to the tgas folder in RTW, can you view small thumbnails of the TGA screenshots or is it solid black, like on my computer? I was wondering if that was unique to me or not.

**johnhughthom** · 12-09-2008, 02:17

My TGAs folder has a GIMP icon for each picture, and I think you are right about anti-aliasing but have you tried taking a shot with it off and one with it on just to make sure it isn't your problem?

**Aemilius Paulus** · 12-09-2008, 02:42

Originally Posted by johnhughthom

but have you tried taking a shot with it off and one with it on just to make sure it isn't your problem?

I'll try that just in case. Thanks for responding!

**mcantu** · 12-09-2008, 03:39

if you have an nvidia graphics card you can also turn off AA in game and turn them on in the nvidia control panel. this prevents the black screen for me...

**Aemilius Paulus** · 12-09-2008, 05:18

Originally Posted by mcantu

if you have an nvidia graphics card you can also turn off AA in game and turn them on in the nvidia control panel.

I do have NVIDIA.

Originally Posted by mcantu

this prevents the black screen for me...

Wait, so this is a common problem? Does this mean that there is no way I could change all of those black screenies?

I had some epic screenshots there, especially a couple in which the composition of heights, cavalry and a very odd, symmetrical and yet beautiful sky pattern created a superb picture. That one was perfect for the Monthly EB Screenshot Competition.

**XSamatan** · 12-09-2008, 14:14

nope, black is black...

I suggest you run EB in future in windowed mode, you can handle it trough the trivial script...

then you can make a screenshot with gimp, and save it as jpeg...

XSamatan