A PowerShell script that converts image files to the efficient HEIC format

The JPEG image file format is universally supported and a great way to store images. However, it is no longer the most space-efficient way to do so. The High Efficiency Image File format used by HEIC/HEIF images maintains the same quality as JPEG in roughly half the space.

ConvertTo-Heic.ps1 is a PowerShell script that uses the Windows.Graphics.Imaging API to create a HEIC-encoded copy of each image that is passed to it. (The original file is not modified.)

• ConvertTo-Jpeg.ps1: A PowerShell script that converts RAW (and other) image files to the widely-supported JPEG format

Windows 10's April 2018 Update (version 1803) introduced support for reading HEIC/HEIF images to the Windows.Graphics.Imaging API. Windows 10's October 2018 Update (version 1809) improved support for HEIC/HEIF images, making it possible to write them. ConvertTo-Heic.ps1 requires the October 2018 Update (version 1809). To enable the encoder, install the Microsoft HEIF and HEVC Media Extensions bundle (or else both of HEVC Video Extensions and HEIF Image Extensions). Once done, the built-in Photos app (and other programs that use the Windows.Graphics.Imaging API) will be able to work with HEIC/HEIF images.

Passing parameters:

PS C:\T> .\ConvertTo-Heic.ps1 C:\T\Pictures\IMG_1234.BMP C:\T\Pictures\IMG_5678.CR2
C:\T\Pictures\IMG_1234.BMP -> IMG_1234.BMP.heic
C:\T\Pictures\IMG_5678.CR2 -> IMG_5678.CR2.heic

Pipeline via dir:

PS C:\T> dir C:\T\Pictures | .\ConvertTo-Heic.ps1
C:\T\Pictures\IMG_1234.BMP -> IMG_1234.BMP.heic
C:\T\Pictures\IMG_5678.CR2 -> IMG_5678.CR2.heic
C:\T\Pictures\Kitten.heic [Already HEIC]
C:\T\Pictures\Notes.txt [Unsupported]

Pipeline via Get-ChildItem:

PS C:\T> Get-ChildItem C:\T\Pictures -Filter *.BMP | .\ConvertTo-Heic.ps1
C:\T\Pictures\IMG_1234.BMP -> IMG_1234.BMP.heic