Trouble opening a .tif file....

  • Thread starter Thread starter ProfuselyQuarky
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    File
AI Thread Summary
A user experienced a file corruption issue with Autodesk Sketchbook Pro after a computer crash while saving a work-in-progress as a .tif file. The file could not be opened in Sketchbook, Photoshop, or Windows Photo Viewer, prompting concerns about potential loss of work due to the impending deadline. Suggestions from other users included checking the file size to determine if any data remained, as well as exploring recovery options and alternative software for opening or converting the corrupted file. Despite the file size indicating some content was present, the user expressed regret over not having a backup and the limitations of Sketchbook's lack of autosave functionality. Recovery tools and methods were discussed, but the user ultimately accepted the likelihood of needing to recreate the work from scratch.
ProfuselyQuarky
Gold Member
Messages
857
Reaction score
588
Hello PF! Last night I was working on something use Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. Since I use layers, I save WIPs using a .tif extension, as this is what Sketchbook supports. Short story shorter, the computer crashed. As of now, the file is still in the location where it was saved, yet it cannot be opened. When I try to open it, a popup window appears saying that Sketchbook can’t open the file because it’s not a valid image, its format or its size is not supported, or I may not have read permission for it. I can’t open the file with Photoshop or even view it with Windows Photo Viewer, either.

The thing I was working on is due on Thursday, so I need to know if the file can be fixed (and how...?). Otherwise, I’m going to have to start over and most likely change it entirely to account for time (ouch).

Thanks, PQ
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Sounds like it got corrupted. There are some recovery tips around the web. Here is one
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-repair-a-tiff-file
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
Also check the file size to see if there's content in it. Many times when a file is corrupt its because the editing program was trying to write data to it during the crash. If the file has 0 bytes or a characteristically small number for tiff files like 50 or 100 bytes (ie <1K) then you've probably lost everything in it and recovery may not work (but you can always hope).

So I imagine you don't have a backup anywhere but if you've emailed it to anyone then you could get a version back from your email.
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
Hey quarky, I agree w/ the others that it sounds exactly like a file corruption but some programs do an autosave of your work so there may be a recoverable copy around if the one you see isn't recoverable.
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
jedishrfu said:
Also check the file size to see if there's content in it. Many times when a file is corrupt its because the editing program was trying to write data to it during the crash. If the file has 0 bytes or a characteristically small number for tiff files like 50 or 100 bytes (ie <1K) then you've probably lost everything in it and recovery may not work (but you can always hope).
Thanks, luckily the file size reads 2.73 MB, so I guess not everything is lost. I'm just waiting for Sketchbook to finish updating and then I'll try recovery.
jedishrfu said:
So I imagine you don't have a backup anywhere but if you've emailed it to anyone then you could get a version back from your email.
Stupid me for not having a backup anywhere. I did, in fact, email a basic draft to someone, but at this point I don't have any time to make use of it.
 
phinds said:
Hey quarky, I agree w/ the others that it sounds exactly like a file corruption but some programs do an autosave of your work so there may be a recoverable copy around if the one you see isn't recoverable.
Hey, phinds, unfortunately Sketchbook does not autosave. It's a very basic program. Currently regretting not using Photoshop for this instead...
 
ProfuselyQuarky said:
Hey, phinds, unfortunately Sketchbook does not autosave. It's a very basic program. Currently regretting not using Photoshop for this instead...
Ah, bummer.
 
Okay, I'm guessing that I'm never going to get this file back? :cry:
tumblr_oi31rkWqrN1vf8td0o1_500.png
 
ProfuselyQuarky said:
Okay, I'm guessing that I'm never going to get this file back? :cry:
Sure you are, you just have to completely recreate it :frown:
 
  • #10
phinds said:
Sure you are, you just have to completely recreate it :frown:
Ughhh, this sucks so bad.

Thanks a lot anyways, guys! I appreciate your time immensely. :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Greg Bernhardt said:
Sounds like it got corrupted. There are some recovery tips around the web. Here is one
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-repair-a-tiff-file
I've never used these trial programs, but have made some pretty sweet saves with the open-source tool TestDisk, which can help locate temp copies of the original file if it is indeed corrupt. I also suggest checking your Windows File History/Previous Versions.
 
  • #12
With some luck you might be able to open the file and be able to view some of the original image, but the image may have lost it's editing/layers. Best bet is to try other image editing software, some may overlook this error and display any remaining data...! Also you could try converting the file from .tif to .psd, .jpg, .gif..some options you will lose layer editing but with the original image as a reference at least you will have your original piece to work from...!
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
  • #13
axiom said:
With some luck you might be able to open the file and be able to view some of the original image, but the image may have lost it's editing/layers. Best bet is to try other image editing software, some may overlook this error and display any remaining data...! Also you could try converting the file from .tif to .psd, .jpg, .gif..some options you will lose layer editing but with the original image as a reference at least you will have your original piece to work from...!
I already tried opening it up with Photoshop CC, but no dice. Not sure how to properly change the file extension without opening up the image somewhere, either.

But, hey, thanks :) I'm just going to accept the everything's gone for good.
 
  • #14
Using either

For PC - Graphics Converter Pro - http://www.iconcool.com/graphics-converter.htm
For Mac - GraphicConverter - https://www.lemkesoft.de/en/products/graphicconverter/

Open your image file and if your lucky, it will and then either save as in original file format or save/export in a format of your choice. GraphicConverter is pretty good and I've used a few times, conversion, tricky to open files [damaged resources]. Graphics Converter Pro [not used] looks similar and should llow you to do the same..!
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
  • #15
axiom said:
Using either

For PC - Graphics Converter Pro - http://www.iconcool.com/graphics-converter.htm
For Mac - GraphicConverter - https://www.lemkesoft.de/en/products/graphicconverter/

Open your image file and if your lucky, it will and then either save as in original file format or save/export in a format of your choice. GraphicConverter is pretty good and I've used a few times, conversion, tricky to open files [damaged resources]. Graphics Converter Pro [not used] looks similar and should llow you to do the same..!
Thanks, mate, I'll look into this for next time. :smile:
 
  • #16
ProfuselyQuarky said:
Thanks, mate, I'll look into this for next time. :smile:
There shouldn't be a next time, USB drives are cheap. :)
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
  • #17
I use the basic free version. You may be able to open the files using software from http://www.libtiff.org/, not that doing it now will help since your deadline is tomorrow...
 
  • Like
Likes ProfuselyQuarky
  • #18
Fervent Freyja said:
I use the basic free version. You may be able to open the files using software from http://www.libtiff.org/, not that doing it now will help since your deadline is tomorrow...
Haha, thanks anyways :D
 
  • Like
Likes Fervent Freyja

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
5K
Replies
12
Views
6K
Back
Top