PHOTOGRAPHY
The ultimate guide to converting HEIC to PNG.
HEIC files offer efficiency and high-quality images, but converting them to PNG ensures compatibility and lossless quality for editing and sharing.
HEIC to PNG conversion made simple.
HEIC files, used primarily by Apple devices, are valued for their high-quality images and efficient storage. However, HEIC images are not always compatible with all devices, software, or websites. Converting HEIC to PNG ensures broader compatibility while preserving image quality, as PNG files offer lossless compression and support transparency. This article guides you through how to convert HEIC to PNG efficiently, whether you need to convert a single image or batch process multiple HEIC files, helping you maintain quality and compatibility across your projects. If you're unsure how different image formats compare, explore this comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.
Understanding HEIC files and their uses.
HEIC, or High Efficiency Image Container, is a modern image format commonly used by Apple devices like iPhones and iPads. It compresses images to reduce file size while maintaining high visual quality. However, compatibility issues arise when sharing HEIC files with non-Apple devices or using certain editing software. For a deeper understanding of various image file types and how they impact your workflow, visit this image file formats guide.
Why convert HEIC to PNG?
While HEIC files are efficient, converting to PNG has several advantages:
- Wider compatibility: PNG files are supported across all operating systems, browsers, and editing programs.
- Lossless quality: PNG maintains image quality without compression loss, unlike JPEG.
- Supports transparency: PNG is ideal for images requiring transparent backgrounds, such as logo design projects.
- Better for editing: Graphic designers often prefer PNG for its colour accuracy and detail retention.
How to convert HEIC to PNG without losing quality.
1. Using Adobe Photoshop.
- Open the HEIC file in Adobe Photoshop.
- Click File > Save As.
- Choose PNG from the format dropdown menu.
- Adjust settings if needed and click Save.
Pro tip: Photoshop’s HEIC support ensures your image retains the highest quality during the HEIC to PNG conversion process. If you're new to Photoshop’s essential tools, learn more about saving images and export options to get the best output.
2. Using Adobe Lightroom.
- Import the HEIC image into Adobe Lightroom.
- Make any necessary adjustments.
- Click File > Export.
- Select PNG as the export format.
- Choose your desired quality settings and export the file.
Tips for optimising PNGs after conversion.
After converting from HEIC to PNG, consider these steps to keep file sizes manageable without sacrificing quality:
- Check file size: PNGs can be large. Use Adobe Photoshop to optimise the image without losing visual quality.
- Use Save for Web: In Photoshop, go to File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy). Adjust the PNG settings for a balance between quality and size. Learn more about preparing images for digital platforms in this Save for Web guide.
- Maintain transparency: Ensure your PNG retains its transparent background if needed, especially when working with logos or graphics.
- Review colour profiles: In Lightroom and Photoshop, confirm the image is exported with the correct colour profile (sRGB for web, Adobe RGB for print). Learn more about accurate colour adjustments in this guide on adjusting colour balance.
Managing multiple HEIC files efficiently.
Handling several HEIC files at once? These workflows can streamline your process:
- Adobe Bridge: Batch convert multiple HEIC images to PNG.
- Photoshop Actions: Create an action in Photoshop to automate the HEIC to PNG conversion for bulk files. If you're unfamiliar with this, check out the Photoshop tools overview to get started with automation.
- Lightroom Presets: Set up an export preset for PNG files to simplify future conversions.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between HEIC and HEIF?
Can I convert HEIC to PNG without losing image quality?
Are there advantages to using PNG over JPG when converting from HEIC?
Can I automate the process of converting multiple HEIC files to PNG?
Do HEIC files support transparency like PNG?
