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englandmademe · Oct 8, 2004, 05:31 AM

Hi

Someone scanned in around 40 images for me using 'Imaging' in Windows 2000 and all the images were scanned in as tiffs using sRGB color space.

Now on my Mac nothing will open these files because 'the tiff file uses an unsupported color space" !

I've tried Graphic Convertor and Photoshop on my Mac and Photoshop on my PC and the files won't open, but they will open using the Imaging application on a Windows machine. I thought I might be able to re-save as another format or change something to do with the color space but there are not exactly lots of options in this app.

If anyone could offer some advice I'd be grateful since my client won't fancy scanning everything in again!!

KeriVit · Oct 8, 2004, 12:43 PM

You can try opening them on the pc in Pshop and then opening on the mac...

from what I hear "Imaging" is basically a garbage program.

englandmademe · Oct 8, 2004, 12:49 PM

I think you're right about 'Imaging' - I've tried opening in PShop on the PC - unfortunately it doesn't work!!

mitchell_pgh · Oct 8, 2004, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by englandmademe:
I think you're right about 'Imaging' - I've tried opening in PShop on the PC - unfortunately it doesn't work!!

Hmmm... that's interesting. Have you tried using any other programs for OS X like graphic converter or even preview? Long shot... but perhaps worth a try...

englandmademe · Oct 8, 2004, 02:25 PM

Yes I did actually try both of those and still no luck. When the images were scanned in I think there was a checkbox ticked in Imaging [or maybe it wasnt' ticked] that states 'Convert Color Images to Internet Standard Colors (sRGB)'. I think this may be the route of the problem, either it was ticked and has done something proprietry or it wasn't ticked and should have been and has therefore done something proprietry!

Considering TIFF files are supposed to be a 'standard' this is totally ridiculous that this app has created a set of non-openable files (other than in the app itself which cannot convert or do anything with the file)

KeriVit · Oct 8, 2004, 08:27 PM

A thought-

how about playing with your Pshop prefs- the ones about embedded color profiles, etc.

I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this... but have you tried "Discard" or ignore existing color profile or something like that.

I can open Pshop and get specifics if you like, but it's a thought...

Orrr....

If possible- open them or have someone open them in Imaging and save as something else...???

himself · Oct 11, 2004, 03:15 AM

I've never used or heard of "Imaging," but I suspect (or at least hope) that somewhere in that app are preferences that will allow you to set that option. If not...

By the way, you are in OS X, right? Which version of Photoshop?

englandmademe · Oct 11, 2004, 03:58 AM

The problem is solved (kind of) - my version of 'imaging' would not allow opening and re-saving the file as a jpg, but the clients version would, so the client is converting them.

This still doesn't answer why 'imaging' created a TIFF file that was unopenable in any app other than itself!? Go figure.

I was using Photoshop 7 in OS X and on Windows 98. Neither could open the files.

Many thanks for all the help and responses on this topic.

mitchell_pgh · Oct 11, 2004, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by englandmademe:
The problem is solved (kind of) - my version of 'imaging' would not allow opening and re-saving the file as a jpg, but the clients version would, so the client is converting them.

This still doesn't answer why 'imaging' created a TIFF file that was unopenable in any app other than itself!? Go figure.

I was using Photoshop 7 in OS X and on Windows 98. Neither could open the files.

Many thanks for all the help and responses on this topic.

That would raise MAJOR red flags for me... oh well, glad things worked out.

himself · Oct 12, 2004, 10:30 PM

It seems like the source of the problem was explained in this thread that was started on this topic in another forum.

Apparently "Imaging" uses a bastardization of the TIFF format that embeds JPEG image data in the TIFF file format. There is a long technical explanation of the problem, apparently from the TIFF standards committee that explains why it should never be used, but some software developers (presumably windows developers, mind you) continue to use the code anyway.

I'd suggest making a sh!tlist of software that you, your clients, and vendors should avoid when they have to produce files that will be submitted to you (and vice versa), and emphasize that they must be standards compliant (both the software and the files they produce). I know I'll be compiling a list very soon, and Imaging will be on that list.