TIM to SNB Converter

Transform PlayStation sprites into SNB documents online

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Quick Turnaround

Most TIM files convert to SNB within moments. Server-side processing ensures speed regardless of your device capabilities.

Batch Support

Upload multiple TIM images and convert them all to SNB in one session — no need to repeat the process for each individual file.

No Install Required

The entire TIM to SNB conversion runs in your browser. No desktop software, no plugins — just upload and convert.

How to convert TIM to SNB

1

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

2

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

3

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

About formats

TIM (Texture Image Map) is a raster image format developed by Sony Computer Entertainment for the original PlayStation console, released in Japan on December 3, 1994. TIM files store texture and sprite data in a format optimized for the PlayStation's GPU (the GTE/GPU subsystem), supporting 4-bit indexed color (16 colors with CLUT), 8-bit indexed color (256 colors with CLUT), 16-bit direct color (5 bits per RGB channel plus 1 semi-transparency control bit), and 24-bit true color modes. The file structure consists of a 4-byte magic number (0x10), a flag byte indicating color depth and CLUT presence, the optional CLUT (Color Look-Up Table) block containing the palette data, and the image data block containing the pixel values. Image dimensions in TIM files are specified in units of 16-bit words rather than pixels, reflecting the GPU's native memory addressing scheme — this means the width value must be interpreted differently depending on the color depth mode. TIM was part of the PSY-Q development kit used by game developers throughout the PlayStation's commercial lifespan. One advantage is direct hardware compatibility: TIM data could be transferred to the PlayStation's VRAM with minimal processing, enabling fast texture loading critical for maintaining frame rates on the console's limited 33 MHz MIPS R3000A processor. The format remains relevant in retro gaming and preservation communities, readable by tools like TIMViewer, PSXPrev, ImageMagick, and various PlayStation development and modding utilities.
Initial release: December 3, 1994
SNB is a proprietary ebook format developed by Shanghai Nutshell Electronics, a subsidiary of Shanda Interactive Entertainment, for the Bambook e-reader launched in August 2010. The format is structurally based on EPUB principles, packaging HTML content, CSS styling, images, and metadata within a compressed archive, but uses a proprietary container that restricts native playback to Bambook devices and associated software. Shanda designed the Bambook and its SNB ecosystem as an integrated reading platform tied to the Cloudary literature portal (later rebranded as China Literature), one of China's largest online publishing networks hosting millions of web novels and serialized fiction. The format supported reflowable text, chapter navigation, bookmarks, and basic typographic controls suited to Chinese-language content display. One advantage was tight integration with Shanda's massive content catalog, providing readers instant access to an enormous library of Chinese-language literature directly through the device. The Bambook was initially offered at a heavily subsidized price point, using the content ecosystem to drive revenue — a model that preceded similar strategies by other e-reader manufacturers. While the Bambook hardware line was eventually discontinued as the Chinese market shifted toward tablet-based reading apps, SNB files from that era can be converted to standard formats using tools like Calibre with appropriate plugins. The format represents an interesting case study in platform-specific ebook ecosystems within the Chinese digital publishing landscape.
Initial release: August 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert TIM to SNB?

TIM is a console-specific texture format unreadable by standard software. Converting to SNB opens it up for fan art, modding, or preservation.

What programs can open SNB?

Samsung S Note app is the primary viewer. Calibre and some third-party note apps can open or convert SNB documents.

Does TIM to SNB preserve quality?

The conversion keeps your image data intact — SNB does not introduce compression artifacts, ensuring the output matches the original closely.

Is TIM to SNB conversion fast?

Conversion is handled on cloud servers and usually completes in a few seconds. Larger or higher-resolution TIM images may take slightly longer.

Can I convert multiple TIM images at once?

Absolutely. Add several TIM images at once, set SNB as the output, and the converter processes them all in parallel for maximum efficiency.