1sp

.1sp — SuperPaint Image

SuperMac Software · 1988

Developer

SuperMac Software

Key Features

Supports both bitmap and object-oriented drawing.
Capable of handling multiple image layers.
Includes color palette information.
Proprietary format specific to SuperPaint.

Best For

Preserving original SuperPaint artwork with all its components.
Users who still have access to and use SuperPaint.
Historical archiving of early digital graphics.

Less Ideal For

Sharing images with users who don't have SuperPaint.
Web display or online use.
Professional print workflows.
Modern digital art creation.

Common Use Cases

Saving artwork created in SuperPaint.
Archiving graphics projects from the early Macintosh era.
Storing hybrid images with both pixel and vector components.

How to Open It

The primary method is to open the .1sp file within SuperPaint itself, if you have access to a compatible version and operating system.
Use specialized image conversion software or online converters that explicitly support the SuperPaint format.
Some older graphic editors or viewers for Macintosh might offer limited support or import capabilities.

What is a .1sp file?

The .1sp file extension is associated with SuperPaint, an early Macintosh graphics application. It served as a hybrid painting and drawing program, allowing users to create and edit images with both pixel-based and object-oriented tools. Files saved in this format contain the graphical data created within SuperPaint, including layers, color information, and vector elements. While foundational for its time, this format is now largely obsolete due to the dominance of more versatile and widely supported image file types.

Programs That Open .1sp Files

Platform	Program
macOS	SuperPaint	Paid	Official

How to Convert .1sp Files

Format	Method
.PNG	SuperPaint export, Image conversion utilities
.TIFF	SuperPaint export, Image conversion utilities

Common Problems with .1sp Files

⚠️ Cannot open .1sp files on modern operating systems.

Requires legacy software or specialized converters. Attempt to convert the file to a more common format like PNG or TIFF if possible.

⚠️ Limited software support for .1sp files.

Ensure you are using the original SuperPaint application or a converter known to handle this specific proprietary format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .1sp a common image format?▼

No, .1sp is a proprietary format specific to the older SuperPaint Macintosh application and is rarely encountered or supported today.

Can I edit a .1sp file with Photoshop?▼

Directly opening and editing a .1sp file in Photoshop is generally not supported. You would typically need to convert it to a more compatible format first.

Technical Details

SuperPaint files (.1sp) are proprietary binary formats that store a combination of bitmap (pixel-based) and object-oriented (vector-based) graphics. They can contain multiple layers, color palettes, and text elements, reflecting the hybrid nature of the application. The file structure is specific to SuperPaint and not easily interpretable by other software without specialized tools or conversion.

Did You Know?

SuperPaint was revolutionary in its time for combining painting (pixel-based) and drawing (object-based) tools in a single application.

The .1sp format was designed to retain the unique layered and hybrid nature of images created within SuperPaint.

Security Information

As a legacy file format from an older application, .1sp files are generally considered low-risk. However, always exercise caution when opening files from unknown sources, as any file type could potentially be used to deliver malicious code.