PICON to TGA Converter

Switch from PICON to TGA — simple online image conversion

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Browser-Based Tool

No software to download — convert PICON to TGA entirely in your web browser. Works on any device with an internet connection.

Effortless Process

Converting PICON to TGA takes just a few clicks — no technical knowledge required. Upload, choose your format, and download the result.

Cloud Conversion

All PICON to TGA processing runs on Convertio servers — your device stays fast and free while the conversion happens in the cloud.

How to convert PICON 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

PICON (Personal Icon) is a small-format image type used in the X Window System ecosystem, developed by Steve Kinzler at Indiana University around 1990 as part of the picons (personal icons) database project. Picons are small, typically 48x48 pixel, color images used as visual identifiers for people, organizations, domains, and Usenet newsgroups in Unix mail readers, news readers, and other communication tools. The picon format is essentially an XPM (X PixMap) image stored with specific naming conventions and directory structures that allow software to look up the appropriate icon based on email address, domain name, or newsgroup name. The picons database organized thousands of these small images in a hierarchical directory structure keyed by domain name components (e.g., faces/com/example/user.xpm), enabling mail clients like exmstrstrstr and faces to automatically display a sender's photo or organizational logo alongside their messages. The system predated the modern concept of contact photos and avatars by more than a decade. One advantage is the system's pioneering role in visual identity for electronic communication: picons introduced the idea that email and Usenet messages should display a visual representation of the sender — a concept that eventually became standard in every modern email client, messaging app, and social media platform. The XPM-based format ensures that picons are displayable on any system with X Window libraries. Picon images are supported by ImageMagick, GIMP, and X Window display utilities, and the historical picons database remains archived online at Indiana University.
Developer: Steve Kinzler
Initial release: 1990
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 PICON to TGA?

PICON originated in Unix file managers and has narrow compatibility today. TGA offers lossless format popular in game development and video editing — a far more practical choice for sharing.

What apps support TGA?

You can view TGA with Photoshop, GIMP, IrfanView, game development tools. These tools cover all major desktop and mobile platforms.

What exactly is the PICON format?

PICON is a small thumbnail/icon format from Unix systems. Originally from Unix file managers, it has become a legacy format — conversion is the most practical way to use these images today.

Is PICON to TGA conversion free?

Yes — Convertio offers free PICON to TGA conversion. Premium options exist for users who need more capacity or faster processing speeds.

Does converting PICON to TGA affect quality?

Quality is maintained to the extent TGA supports. Since PICON is a small thumbnail/icon format from Unix systems, the visual data transfers cleanly to TGA.