Forum Discussion

Louanneludlam's avatar
Louanneludlam
Copper Contributor
Nov 08, 2024

Any way to convert tiff to png transparent background in Windows 10

I have several TIFF files and need to convert them for easier sharing and compatibility. I’m new to this kind of file conversion and could use some guidance. I'm looking for an easy way to convert TIFF to PNG format on my Windows 10 PC.

Could someone recommend a reliable method to convert TIFF to PNG with a transparent background? Ideally, I’m looking for a straightforward solution, either with free software or through command line tools. Any advice or detailed steps would be much appreciated!

 

7 Replies

  • Huamk523's avatar
    Huamk523
    Copper Contributor

    Converting TIFF to PNG with a transparent background using the Photos app on Windows 10 can be a bit of a bummer, trust me. The biggest issue is, the Photos app doesn’t keep the transparency when you convert. Instead of just getting a clean PNG with a see-through background, you’ll often end up with a solid color that can mess up your whole design.

     The Photos app is pretty basic. You can do some simple edits like cropping or adjusting brightness, but when it comes to more advanced image manipulations, it just doesn’t have the features you need. After realizing this, I tried a few other tools that were way more advanced, but the basic app left me wanting.

    When you convert an image, if you’re not getting the transparency right, you might also affect the overall quality. Details can get fuzzy or colors can shift, which is super frustrating when you're trying to keep everything looking sharp.

  • Yandoun's avatar
    Yandoun
    Brass Contributor

    Converting TIFF images to PNG using GraphicsMagick can be a pretty straightforward and powerful option, while GraphicsMagick does handle transparency pretty well, there can be cases where it doesn’t preserve the transparency correctly, especially if the TIFF file is a bit complex. If your TIFF has a very intricate transparent area, you might find that the output PNG doesn’t quite look like you expected.

    If you have a lot of TIFF files to convert, doing them one by one through the command line can become quite tedious. Yes, you can write scripts to automate things, but that adds another layer of complexity. For most users who just want to convert a few images, this is doable; for others, it might just feel like too much work.

  • Mireles's avatar
    Mireles
    Copper Contributor

    Some TIFF files don’t actually have a transparent background; they might just have a solid color that looks similar.So, before converting convert tiff to png transparent background in Windows 10, check your TIFF file in an image editor. If it’s not truly transparent, your PNG won’t be either! Stick to reliable software. Microsoft Paint is nice for basic tasks, but for transparency work, go for tools like G1MP or even Adobe Photoshop if you have it.

    And when you save the PNG, make sure to check the settings for color profiles.

  • Moore's avatar
    Moore
    Copper Contributor

    GraphicsMagick is a lightweight command line tool for converting Tiff to PNG on Windows PC. It is designed for similar image conversion tasks. You can download GraphicsMagick and install it. Once installed, use the following command to convert TIFF to PNG:

    gm convert "path\to\input.tiff" "path\to\output.png"

    Again, replace "path\to\input.tiff" and "path\to\output.png" with the paths to your files. GraphicsMagick handles transparency better than some other tools and might work well if your TIFF contains transparency.

    These TIFF to PNG conversion tools should give you efficient options for converting TIFF to PNG via the command line on Windows 10.

  • Mireles's avatar
    Mireles
    Copper Contributor

    Converting TIFF images to PNG with a transparent background in Windows 10 using the Photos app is a bit of a letdown if you're expecting to keep that transparency intact. First off, the main disadvantage is that you’ll end up with a solid background instead of the transparency you were aiming for. This can totally mess up your designs or presentations.

    From my experience, I’ve found that while the Photos app is super convenient for quick viewing and basic editing, it just doesn’t cut it when you need serious image manipulation. If you’re like me and value maintaining that transparent background (especially if you’re working on something like a logo or graphic design), you’ll need to hit up more powerful software like Photoshop. Sure, it can be a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for that level of control. 

  • Bradley's avatar
    Bradley
    Copper Contributor

    Here is a simple guide to convert tiff to png for free with the photos app:

    1. Right-click on the TIFF file. Choose Open with > Photos.
    2. Once the image opens in the Photos app, click on the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner. Select Save as from the drop-down menu.
    3. In the Save as dialog box, select the location where you want to save the new file. In the Save as type dropdown, choose PNG. Click Save to complete the conversion.

    This will create a PNG version of your image. However, keep in mind that the Photos app does not support transparency, so any transparent areas in the original TIFF will be filled with a solid background in the PNG. To convert tiff to png with transparent background, a different tool like TIFF to PNG converter would be required.

  • K-Hayes's avatar
    K-Hayes
    Copper Contributor

    The Photos app in Windows 10 allows you to open and save images in different formats, including TIFF and PNG. However, it does not support handling transparency during conversions, so it will not maintain the transparent background when converting TIFF to PNG without losing quality. The converted PNG image will likely have a solid background instead.

    To keep the transparent background in your TIFF image, you'll need to use more specialized software like Photoshop, or even online tools (though you might avoid online tools for privacy). These tools allow you to export images as PNGs with preserved transparency. 

     

Resources