What is WBMP and why would I convert it to TGA?

WBMP is a black-and-white image format for early mobile devices optimized for low bandwidth. You convert it to TGA to edit and use the images in modern applications that support color and alpha channels.

Does the conversion add color or grayscale to my WBMP images?

No, conversion preserves the original 1-bit monochrome image; it does not add any color or grayscale information.

Are TGA files larger than WBMP files after conversion?

Yes, TGA files generally have larger sizes because they support higher bit depths and lack the compact 1-bit packing of WBMP.

Convert your image to the TGA format

Learn how to convert WBMP (Wireless Bitmap) images to the TGA (Truevision TARGA) format for use in modern image editors and game development workflows.

Upload Your File | Maximum Size Upto 25MB

Quick Access To 13 WBMP File Conversion Pairs

What Is This Tool?

This tool converts WBMP images—a simple 1-bit monochrome format used for small icons on early mobile devices—into the TGA format, a widely supported raster image format that supports color and alpha channels. This enables legacy black-and-white graphics to be edited and reused in modern workflows.

How to Use This Tool?

Upload your WBMP image file from your device.
Select TGA as the output format for conversion.
Click the convert button to start the process.
Download the converted TGA file once the conversion is complete.
Open the TGA file in your preferred image editor or game engine.

Key Features

Converts WBMP monochrome images into editable TGA files
Supports both uncompressed and RLE-compressed TGA output
Preserves image content as black-and-white while enabling use of TGA's alpha channel and color capabilities
Enables migration of legacy mobile graphics into modern editors and game pipelines
Simple conversion process with no complex codecs

Examples

Converting WBMP feature-phone icons into 32-bit TGA files to edit in Photoshop.
Batch converting operator logos in WBMP format to TGA for use as game textures.
Migrating simple black-and-white WBMP assets for inclusion in video production workflows using TGA.

Common Use Cases

Updating legacy WBMP icons for modern UI design and editing.
Preparing monochrome images for video game sprite and texture pipelines.
Archiving low-bandwidth black-and-white graphics in a more versatile and widely supported image format.

Tips & Best Practices

Remember that WBMP images are strictly 1-bit monochrome and cannot gain grayscale or color on conversion.
Use TGA's alpha channel support to add transparency where needed after conversion.
Keep in mind TGA files tend to be larger than WBMP due to lack of advanced compression.
Batch convert assets to save time when working with multiple WBMP files.
Use image editors compatible with TGA to fully utilize its editing and compositing features.

Limitations

WBMP files support only 1-bit monochrome, so no color or grayscale can be created during conversion.
Converted TGA files are usually larger because TGA uses higher bit depths and less efficient compression than WBMP.
TGA format supports limited metadata and color profiles compared to more modern formats like PNG or TIFF.
No progressive or palette-based encoding features are available in TGA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WBMP and why would I convert it to TGA?: WBMP is a black-and-white image format for early mobile devices optimized for low bandwidth. You convert it to TGA to edit and use the images in modern applications that support color and alpha channels.
Does the conversion add color or grayscale to my WBMP images?: No, conversion preserves the original 1-bit monochrome image; it does not add any color or grayscale information.
Are TGA files larger than WBMP files after conversion?: Yes, TGA files generally have larger sizes because they support higher bit depths and lack the compact 1-bit packing of WBMP.

Key Terminology

WBMP: A 1-bit monochrome image format designed for low-bandwidth wireless devices, primarily used for small black-and-white graphics on early mobile phones.
TGA: A raster image format capable of storing uncompressed or RLE-compressed images with support for color and per-pixel alpha, widely used in game and video production.
RLE Compression: Run-Length Encoding, a simple lossless data compression method used to reduce file size by encoding repeating data sequences.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is the primary characteristic of WBMP images?

They store full-color images with alpha channels.

They are simple 1-bit-per-pixel monochrome images.

They use advanced compression for high fidelity.

What advantage does the TGA format have over WBMP?

Supports uncompressed and RLE lossless compression.

Exclusive support for black-and-white images.

Smaller file size due to advanced compression.

Which of the following is a limitation when converting WBMP to TGA?

Loss of the image's alpha channel data.

Inability to recover color information from WBMP.

WBMP supports color profiles better than TGA.