CRW to TGA Converter

Turn CRW photos into TGA format — free online tool

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Cloud-Based Engine

All conversion work happens in the cloud — no local CPU load, no memory pressure. Upload your CRW and get the TGA result without slowing down your machine.

Reliable Engine

Convertio is used by millions worldwide for image conversion. CRW to TGA is one of many supported directions — all handled with the same reliability.

Cross-Platform

No app downloads needed. The browser-based tool converts CRW to TGA on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices seamlessly.

How to convert CRW to TGA

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose tga or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your tga file right afterwards

About formats

CRW is Canon's first-generation RAW image format, based on the Camera Image File Format (CIFF) specification developed jointly by Canon, Kodak, and other imaging companies in the late 1990s. Used by Canon's consumer and prosumer cameras from approximately 1998 through the early 2000s — including the PowerShot G-series, EOS D30, EOS D60, and EOS 10D — CRW files store the unprocessed 12-bit sensor readout in a heap-based container structure that differs fundamentally from the TIFF-derived approach used by most other camera manufacturers. The CIFF container organizes data into a hierarchical directory of heap entries, each identified by type and tag, containing the raw image data, JPEG thumbnail, EXIF information, and Canon's proprietary metadata including White Balance tables and Picture Style parameters. CRW was eventually replaced by the CR2 format starting with the EOS-1D Mark II in 2004, as Canon moved to a TIFF-based container that aligned more closely with industry conventions and supported higher bit depths. One advantage of CRW files is historical completeness: they preserve the full original sensor data from an important transitional period in digital photography, and the 12-bit captures from cameras like the EOS D30 still produce excellent results when reprocessed with modern RAW converters. Broad legacy support is another strength — despite its age, CRW remains readable by Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, RawTherapee, and other modern converters, ensuring these early digital negatives remain accessible.
Developer: Canon
Initial release: 1998
TGA (Truevision Graphics Adapter, also known as TARGA) is a raster image format created by Truevision in 1984 for their line of display adapter cards designed for IBM PC compatibles. The format stores pixel data in a straightforward structure: an 18-byte header specifying dimensions, color depth, and image descriptor flags, optional color map data, and the pixel array in either uncompressed or RLE-compressed form. TGA supports indexed color (8-bit with palette), true color (15-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit), and true color with alpha channel (32-bit), and was one of the first PC image formats to include per-pixel alpha transparency. The format became a staple of the professional graphics industry, widely adopted by video editing suites, 3D rendering software, and game development pipelines throughout the 1990s and 2000s. One advantage is native alpha channel support — TGA was one of the earliest formats offering full 8-bit alpha transparency per pixel, making it the standard output format for 3D renderers and compositing software where layered transparency is essential. The simple, well-documented structure is another strength: TGA files are quick to parse and write, with no complex metadata or container overhead, valued in real-time applications and game engines where loading speed matters. While PNG has largely replaced TGA for general use, the format persists in game development, texture pipelines, and 3D rendering workflows where its simplicity and alpha support remain advantageous.
Developer: Truevision
Initial release: 1984

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I convert CRW to TGA?

CRW files from vintage Canon cameras use the outdated CIFF container — converting to TGA ensures continued access as fewer applications handle CRW natively.

Which apps support TGA?

TGA files can be opened with Photoshop, GIMP, game engines like Unity and Unreal, and 3D rendering software.

Is my CRW file safe during conversion?

Convertio prioritizes privacy — your CRW file is deleted after conversion completes, and the TGA result is automatically removed within 24 hours.

Can I convert multiple CRW files to TGA at once?

You can process multiple CRW files in one session. Upload them together and receive all your TGA conversions in a single batch.

How long are converted files stored?

Converted TGA files remain available for download for up to 24 hours, after which they are automatically deleted from Convertio servers.