TIM Converter

TIM (Texture Image Map) is a raster image format developed by Sony Computer Entertainment) for the original PlayStation console, released in Japan on December 3, 1994. TIM files store texture and sprite data in a format optimized for the PlayStation's GPU (the GTE/GPU subsystem), supporting 4-bit indexed color (16 colors with CLUT), 8-bit indexed color (256 colors with CLUT), 16-bit direct color (5 bits per RGB channel plus 1 semi-transparency control bit), and 24-bit true color modes. The file structure consists of a 4-byte magic number (0x10), a flag byte indicating color depth and CLUT presence, the optional CLUT (Color Look-Up Table) block containing the palette data, and the image data block containing the pixel values. Image dimensions in TIM files are specified in units of 16-bit words rather than pixels, reflecting the GPU's native memory addressing scheme — this means the width value must be interpreted differently depending on the color depth mode. TIM was part of the PSY-Q development kit used by game developers throughout the PlayStation's commercial lifespan. One advantage is direct hardware compatibility: TIM data could be transferred to the PlayStation's VRAM with minimal processing, enabling fast texture loading critical for maintaining frame rates on the console's limited 33 MHz MIPS R3000A processor. The format remains relevant in retro gaming and preservation communities, readable by tools like TIMViewer, PSXPrev, ImageMagick, and various PlayStation development and modding utilities.