tif file not supported?

[scroce]

I have a .tif file which opens fine in Microsoft Document Imaging software by default. But when I try to open it in Fireworks it says:

"could not open file - unsupported file format"

Is there anything special about the .tif file format that won't allow it to open in fireworks? Why isn't it working?

I'm trying to convert it to a jpeg or gif to use on my web site.

Also are .tif and .tiff files the same thing? (i think they are)

I have Fireworks3 running on win2000.



any clues/help greatly appreciated.

SC Q: Why is my computer doing that?
A: Random Perversity of Inanimate
Objects

 

[blueark]

It should support tiffs. Does Microsoft Document Imaging allow you to save in another format (such as bmp)? If it does, you could open the second file in Fireworks. I seem to remember having trouble with tiffs before, and it involved some Microsoft product, possibly the one you mentioned. Maybe it's tiffs aren't entirely standard.

BTW, TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format. In the days of DOS, you were limited to a three charactor extension, so TIF was used instead. The file itself is exactly the same, just the name is different.

 

[scroce]

Thanks for the clarification on tiff vs. tif

Unfortuneately the microsoft product does not give you an option to save as anything else but a tiff file.

You mentioned that maybe tiffs aren't entirely standard - that could be....does anyone know for sure? I know I've had trouble viewing graphics files people have sent me from Apple environments - but i'm certain this one came from another pc, since it came from within our company. (unless that person got it from an Apple)
Q: Why is my computer doing that?
A: Random Perversity of Inanimate
Objects

 

[blueark]

Apple Macs and PCs do store data slightly differently (I think one uses big endian, the other little endian... something to do with the order in which bytes are stored). Tiffs can store image data in either of these two formats, so it's possible that software developed for one platform mightn't be programmed to handle the other. In practice, I've never really seen it happen.

Have you tried to copy & paste it into FW? Failing that, maybe a simple screen grab might do the trick. If you have access to other programs, such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, see if they can open them instead. I'm sure there's also plenty of freeware on the net that can convert one format to another.

 

[scroce]

BINGO!!! - - if forgot about the simple screen grab - that did work!! much obliged.

Still a mystery as to why it won't open normally, but if you can circumvent the mystery, then that's still a win.

thanks blueark! Q: Why is my computer doing that?
A: Random Perversity of Inanimate
Objects