Convert ICO to TGA

The ICO format is an image container specifically designed for Microsoft Windows to store icons for executable files, folders, and applications. Introduced with Windows 1.0, it can encapsulate multiple raster images of varying dimensions and color depths (specifically BMP or PNG frames) within a single file to support dynamic scaling across different display resolutions. The structure comprises an ICONDIR header referencing one or more ICONDIRENTRY directory entries, allowing the operating system to select the appropriate 16x16, 32x32, or 48x48 pixel resource based on the current UI scaling settings.

ICO files are natively supported by the Microsoft Windows operating system, which automatically renders them in the File Explorer and taskbar. On macOS, Apple Preview handles the format natively. For editing or detailed inspection of the contained bitmap layers, raster graphics editors such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop (via plugin), or Paint.NET are required. Web browsers also natively render ICO files when they are designated as favicons.

TGA (Truevision Graphics Adapter), commonly called Targa, is a raster image format originally developed by Truevision for its graphics hardware. It supports color depths up to 32-bit (including an alpha channel), optional lossless RLE compression, and has long been a standard format in the visual effects, game development, and 3D rendering industries for storing textures and rendered frames.

TGA files can be opened with most professional image editors, including Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Affinity Photo, as well as game-development and 3D tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Blender. General-purpose image viewers on Windows and macOS may need an additional plugin for full support, since TGA is less common in everyday consumer use.