Create mobile picture messages to be sent through SMS easily!!
I came across this nifty utility for converting conventional image files to the OTA format to be sent as picture messages using your mobile phone. The source code and the binary for the same can be found at The Code Project. Since zipped files are only available for download to registered users(free) of the Code Project, I am uploading it to my own server for your convenience, Instructions to use follow below.
The source code and binary available here were developed by Alireza Naghizadeh and are available for free download here. All copyrights for the below two files rest with Alireza Naghizadeh.
- OTA Converter Source 5.79 KB
- OTA Converter Binary 4.58 KB
(Ready to Use, Requires .NET framework, WinXP ready)
The interface is very minimalist with only one option as shown below,
All you have to do is, drag your black and white image of dimensions 72 pixels Width X 28 pixels Height (The standard size of SMS Picture messages) into this tiny window, Here you can see that I have dragged a small logo into the utility.
Works best when the image is 72px by 28px and in the .bmp format and has only black or white pixels. You can draw using MSPaint too.
When you click on Convert, it’ll prompt you with a dialog box to store the resulting file as an OTA picture file with the .ota extension occupying 256 bytes. You can transfer these .ota files to your mobile and then sms your friends with your custom picture messages messages!!
This application is not good at converting grayscale images, but you can create bitmap images having only black and white and use this to convert to the .ota format.
You can also get hundreds of preview images of picture messages online which you can convert to the .ota format without paying a penny! 
Some cool free preview images can be found at the Moby Project. Just save all the pictures that you like from the site, download the OTA Converter Binary, Drag your selected pics into the application, convert it to the .ota format, transfer to your mobile and message your friends! Save money by not paying premium rates for direct mobile downloads! Enjoy!
Oct 12th 2006 • 17:10
by Anonymous
dear its not woring plz tell me if you know any other method to convert nol,bmp,otb format to OTA format.
i will be waiting for your e-mail,
THNQ
Risay
risay271@gmail.com
Jun 20th 2007 • 18:06
by Jak
Hey..
Its working.. guys use only gif (black and white) 2 colors..
thank u i been searching for this for somany years..
thanks
Jak
Sep 4th 2007 • 16:09
by gaurav tripathi
thanks….lot of….for given this useful tool…..its working gr8….just instal .netframe work…nd u done….picture massage so clear…nd as JAK said… use gif image….thanks again….
…….gaurav tripathi….
Sep 9th 2007 • 17:09
by Anonymous
Yes it works just great! thanks Thiya and Alireza
Sep 27th 2007 • 21:09
by ANOOP
THIYA
DEAR PLS EXPLAIN.HOW I CAN SAVE A OTA FILE IMAGE OR CONVERT BY POP ART STUDIO…….
I DOWN LOADED AND WORK I WITH YOUR DETAISL
ITS OK.BUT WHEN IAM GOING TO SAVE FILES , S/W RQRD ORIGINAL VERSION
CANU GIVE SOFTWARE KEY FOR COPLETE THISSSSSSSSSSS
PLS
THANKING U
ANOOP
Oct 18th 2007 • 16:10
by Dr. A.M. Babu
Hi Thiya,
I am good in arts, and can create bitmap images using ‘paint’ package. It will be really thrilling if I can convert them to sms format. But I am not very familiar with the process. I tried your method, but could not succeed. Computer gives warning against running ‘active content’.Can you explain it to me in simple terms, please.
Dr. A.M. Babu
babuam@rediffmail.com
Oct 20th 2007 • 10:10
by Dr. A.M. Babu
Hi Thiya,
Yes I could convert it, and transferred to my phone. But it can be send only as MMS. So there is no fun in converting it into OTA. Will you please explain how it can be formatted for sending as picture messege by sms? Please!
Jan 10th 2008 • 08:01
by Anonymous
Hi Thiya,
Yes I could convert it, and transferred to my phone. But it can be send only as MMS. So there is no fun in converting it into OTA. Will you please explain how it can be formatted for sending as picture messege by sms? Please
Jan 19th 2008 • 21:01
by Anonymous
hey…
its working.. thank u i have been searching this for the last two days….:-)
can you please tell me is there any way to convert a little bit big picture into .ota format…:-)
if you know, pls reply to maheshkumar_mak@yahoo.co.in
Feb 4th 2008 • 16:02
by venki
I need to convert 72*28 picture message to Hex code. Is there any possible way to do i. Please help..
Mar 4th 2008 • 14:03
by Marc
Talking Photos Hey frndz!!!!Now add movie lines and voice to any Facebook photo and share it with friends. Sure your pictures are already worth a 1000 words but adding a few more couldn’t hurt.
Aug 4th 2008 • 20:08
by bharath
Hi I am very much intereted in creating picture msg 4 mobile.
I tried ur application
I am getting an error msg as”The application failed to initialize properly(0xc0000135)”
Please help me
i will be waiting for your e-mail,
bharathsa1989@gmail.com
Aug 19th 2008 • 15:08
by Musheer
Aaaaaaaa man I dont understand a thing!
Sep 11th 2008 • 22:09
by Archana
Dude is there any other convertors tat can be used for sony ericcson mob phones… the pic msgs out there are in wbmp format..
Nov 1st 2008 • 22:11
by Anonymous
wow a Nice work
thnxxx alot
Dec 5th 2008 • 15:12
by vannak
Dear All
I can following you and save as .ota file succesed and save to my mobile already but can not send sms. it only send by mms.please help me.
thank
Jan 6th 2009 • 21:01
by தமிழ்நாடன்
Hi Thiya,
Can you help me to to creat a picture message “thamizhp puththaaNdu, pongal nalvaazhththukkaL” to be sent thro mobile as SMS in black and white.
thamizhnadan@gmail.com
thanks,
Jan 20th 2009 • 12:01
by shiva
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Thanking you somuch..
Mar 7th 2009 • 20:03
by Neo22
i am having the same problem “application failed to initialize properly(0xc0000135).click on ok to terminate the application.
i also downloaded source from the site u mentioned butsame problem.can’t figure out.help.i have been looking for this type of utility for long.i also downloaded a java bean code to do so,but don’t know how to compile a beam.
i know the header syntax for ota file and can convert image data to its hex equivalent but i dont know how to create a binary file which will contain only the data i want to write in binary format.do u know the syntax to create a binary file containing hex values which u specify to it.
Mar 8th 2009 • 18:03
by Neo22
it is working perfectly now.
the problem was i didn’t installed .net framework . please mention this also to others
Mar 25th 2009 • 11:03
by adnan
Please anyone tell me .. how to transfer that ota file into my nokia e51..
Regards
Mar 25th 2009 • 11:03
by adnan
Whenever i transfer it to my phone .. it shows in gallery as picture format
May 5th 2009 • 08:05
by KB Rajput
thanks a lot dude, it really works best with graphics as well
thanks alot bro….!!!!!
May 6th 2009 • 15:05
by shamnas
dear friend
i need a help from u..will u pls help me..
i have install a software to create picture message.from the site http://www.thiya.net
but when i trying the picture message from the phone it’s showing only to send mms ..in n 73
in 6300 it is showing file not supporting can u help me please
mail me pls
shanumry@yahoo.co.in
May 6th 2009 • 15:05
by shamnas
end
shanumry@yahoo.co.in
Jun 19th 2010 • 07:06
by mosaad
thanks….