garry edwards Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 Hi - hope someone can help! I've written a large number of TIFF files on my MAC to CD and sent them to a client. It now turns out that they only have a PC and can't read the files. They show up on Windows Explorer but not on PS. I've been told that the reason is that the MAC doesn't write a file extension. <br>Can anyone please tell me how to get round this? Can they rename the files in Explorer with the correct extension? If so, what is the extension?<br>Please reply in very simple terms, I'm thick - especially when it comes to computers!<br>Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 It is a shame Microsoft crippled their Operating system this way in a pathetic attempt at world domination.<P> Go back to your files and resave them, this time saved with the IBM PC byte order instead of the Macintosh byte order. Your Apple Macintosh will still be able to read them with no problem. Although I am not sure it will have any effect on your client's ability to read the files, do not use any compression scheme (such as LZW).<P>When sending files to the client I hope you are using CD-R and not CD-RW media. The reasoning behind this is you don't want a client mucking in any way with the original files you sent them, incase they start playing with color or levels or curves, screw the files up and then try to blame you. Once they download them, they can muck them up all they want too, but your originals will still be safe for either you or them to refer to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 Mac and PC's TIFF's are written backwards from each other. Mac's have used Motorola; and PC's Intel processors; since the early 1980's at least. They are written in reverse order. Your PC client may have to get a "Mac convertor software" ; to just look at the CD's file's; or open them. We got one for 35 bucks; it works perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry edwards Posted March 31, 2003 Author Share Posted March 31, 2003 Ellis, many thanks for your detailed reply. Unfortunately what I really need to know is how my client can convert the files on their PC (if it can be done at all) because they are in an Asian country and it took 10 days for the CDs to reach them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 <a href="http://www.cs.umass.edu/~verts/cs32/endian.html">"Intel processors (those used in PC's) use "Little Endian" byte order."<br><br>"Motorola processors (those used in Mac's) use "Big Endian" byte order."<br><br>"TIFF -- Both, Endian identifier encoded into file" <br><br><b>"Common file formats and their endian order are as follows: "</b></a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 <a href="http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&SID=5152&SP=10007&PN=7&PID=19911">"DataViz Open Mac disks just like they were PC disks. Seamlessly share "cross-platform" files including business, publishing, audio, video and Web files. Perfect for desktop publishers working with cross platform programs like PageMaker, Photoshop, Quark, etc." <img src=" http://www.digitalriver.com/v2.0-img/operations/dataviz/thumbnail/m/a/o/maopener250_tn.gif"></a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cg Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I have been scanning using a Mac G4 and Imacon 848. I make sure to add the tif extension to the saved scans. Your client can try to rename the files using Windows Explorer and adding the tif extension. this should work, it works on my PC running W2k and PS 6/7 Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 When I receive Mac files from MAC clients on Zip or CD's; unless the MacOpener is on my PC computer; I cannot even read anything on their disk. One cannot change the file extensions; because their MAC disc cannot be read on my PC; windows explorer or even dos shows nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cg Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 That's interesting. What OS are you and your client running? I seem to be able to "see" OS 9.x/10 Mac tif files and rename them in either W2K or XP. I'll burn a test cd and verify this. If Gary's client can see the files in Windows Explorer, they can try renaming them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry edwards Posted March 31, 2003 Author Share Posted March 31, 2003 Me again.... My client has tried re-naming the files without success, I then sent them an email suggesting Macopener 2000, have now had an email back saying that it works perfectly but complaining about the cost! It seems $50 is a lot of money in Pakistan! Of course, they could have saved the money by telling me that they were running on PC before I sent the disks.... <br>Many thanks to everyone for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl smith Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 Here's another vote for Mac Opener. I wish MS and Apple would just get together for a weekend and play fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwink3101 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 When i take Fac files from school and bring them home to my PC i see a duplicate file starting in a dot then the file name. I have to delete this and then add the extentsion to each file. It is a pain but its what i get for chossing windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwink3101 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 Also. I renamed this in the view which shows the extension. Maybe they did it in a regular view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl smith Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 if the file has an extension, Photoshop will open it. You wouldn't be the first person who had to view the file with the extension and add the .tif extension to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_ratzlaff Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 try Gemulator explorer from this site; http://www.emulators.com/download.htmhttp://www.emulators.com/download.htm I got a bunch of mac files the other day. No problem with image files with this program.. The price is right and works like a charm. Drag and drop simplicitym just like you would expect with Mac type software even on a windows machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 MacOpener was just a "coupon in the box" when I got my upgrade from Photoshop 3.05 to 5.5 long ago. I ordered it and forgot it in all my JUNK. The software was 28 bucks; and was never even opened; until a Graphics arts guy brought me a zip disk that would not open; for a BIG job. I installed the software a year later; and have never had any problems with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl smith Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 I like MacOpener because it is so transparent. Its always running and doesn't slow anything down and you can open anything and read any disc. With MacOpener I can read older format CDs and floppy discs than I can on some macs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_eaton Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 <I>It is a shame Microsoft crippled their Operating system this way in a pathetic attempt at world domination.</i><P>It's a bigger shame that Apple Corp has a created a loyal user base of computer illiterates who can't tell the difference between an operating system, applications, hardware, and yet make such stupid and irrelelevant political remarks such as this. <P>I run whole corporations with Microsoft platforms that seamlessly talk to Linux, Novell, and AS/400 platforms, and because can you retouch the facial hair of grandma and make cartoons with your Mac it's a better platform. <P>This post is amazing. If a Mac user creates a file that can't be read on another platform - it's Windows fault. If a Windows user creates a file that can't be read on another platform - it's Windows fault. We also have a problem with the registry based file association method on windows that allows basically any application to take over opening a specific file type which makes it all too easy for NON Microsoft related applications to function. Quicktime, which is perhaps the worst registry meddling application ever written besides RealPlayer, is the mutant offspring of Apple which should tell you something. Care to shove your foot in your mouth any further Ellis? Your already up to the knee.<P><I>Can anyone please tell me how to get round this?<P></i>If you attempt to open a file with no extension on Windows you are asked what type of program you want to open it with. Or you can usually right click on it and choose "Open With" and select the program you want to open the program with. I suppose according to Ellis this is some kind of warped Microsoft conspiracy to actually ask the user what kind of program they want to open the file with other than have the OS control all aspects of the environment (another double standard). I mean, having an application that thinks independantly of the OS? Why, that's tyrannical.<P>The second problem is that I don't think PS can open native TIF files saved in Mac format. Haven't worked on a Mac in awhile, but I'm pretty sure when you save a TIF in Pohotoshop on a Mac it asks you what byte order you want to save in, and if you don't save it in PC/IBM format you'll have problems opening it on a PC. You then have to resort to software translation programs mentioned here, or just get a copy of Corel Photo Paint which the last time I used it was able to open native Mac TIF files.<P>I also need to add here that I work with Mac based labs and have never, never had a problem in recent experience translating TIF files back and forth. The Mac/PC byte order is the biggest problem, and Gary can claim innocent on this one because he wasn't aware of the problem. Next time though it's his responsibility to save the files in a format that's compatible with both platforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry edwards Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Scott, there's no need to take this attitude, and no need to defend Microsoft.<br>IMO MACs are better for some jobs than PCs and vice versa - personally I use both. They are tools, nothing more.<p>"<i>and Gary can claim innocent on this one because he wasn't aware of the problem. Next time though it's his responsibility to save the files in a format that's compatible with both platforms."</i>I was aware of the problem and specifically asked my client's printer (in Pakistan) whether they were going to use MAC or PC. Their email came back "We like MAC please" so the files were written to CDs straight from the MAC, it then turned out that they do not have MACs at all and could not open the files. Not really their fault though, they were writing to me in my language and not theirs.<p>I didn't know how to get round the problem and so asked the question here. As usual I got a lot of informed and helpful answers and the problem was resolved. Does it really matter if someone expresses an opinion as well as providing an answer? Whatever happened to free speech? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_eaton Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 <I>Scott, there's no need to take this attitude, and no need to defend Microsoft</i><P>Let me get this straight. It's ok for somebody to express a negative and inflamatory remark about MS, but not OK if I fire back a rebuttal. Do you like, suffer from selective reading disorder or something? Mac users think it's OK to shots at Microsoft but not get put in their place with rebuttals, as you just demonstrated. <P> I support and deploy MS platforms that are hosting 30, 40, 50 and more different applications the majority of which aren't affiliated with Microsoft, and then have to connect these boxes to other competing operating systems with far more draconian licensing costs and platform restrictions. I then log onto photo.net on my free time and see some stupid remark about Microsoft, and somebody lecturing me that it's OK to express negative remarks about Microsoft under the auspices of free speech, but gets on my case when I respond. Kiss this buddy, seriously. <P>I've been pretty objective on the platform comparison lately, but not when I have to deal with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now