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Trouble report 62

48-bit TIFF files displayed incorrectly by Windows 2000 Imaging/Preview

Versions affected

V1.0 - V2.3

Description

The Windows 2000 Imaging and Imaging Preview applications are unable to display 48-bit TIFF images written by The Panorama Factory. They do not generate any errors, but the displayed images are very "confused".

48-bit TIFF images have 2 bytes (16 bits) for red, 2 for green and 2 for blue. Apparently Windows 2000 Imaging can't handle these files ... but doesn't know that it can't!

48-bit TIFF is a perfectly valid TIFF format -- The Panorama Factory and Adobe PhotoDeluxe can read TIFF images having more than 1 byte for read, green and blue, but Windows 2000 Imaging can't.

Windows 2000 Imaging has no trouble with 24-bit TIFF images. These images have 1 byte (8 bits) for red, 2 for green and 2 for blue.

Workaround

Save your image as a 24-bit TIFF by selecting Save 24-bit pixels on the TIFF settings dialog box.

To read more about how The Panorama Factory uses 48-bit and 24-bit TIFF files, see http://www.panoramafactory.com/help/tiff.html

Status

Workaround.

Revised: April 28, 2004