ScreenshotConverter is a plugin for Covas:NEXT that automatically converts Elite Dangerous BMP screenshots into PNG or JPG format.
It runs quietly in the background, listening for screenshot events, and performs conversions instantly without interrupting your gameplay.
- Automatic conversion of BMP screenshots to PNG or JPG.
- Runs in background threads — no blocking or stuttering in Covas:NEXT or the game.
- Configurable screenshot path (supports custom or default Elite Dangerous folder).
- Smart filenames including timestamp and current star system.
- Fully compatible with Covas:NEXT event system.
- Robust logging for conversion success, errors, and diagnostics.
- Download the latest release ZIP from the Releases page.
- Unzip the folder
ScreenshotConverterdirectly into:
%APPDATA%\com.covas-next.ui\plugins
(You can paste this path into File Explorer’s address bar to open it quickly.) 3. After extraction, you should have:
%APPDATA%\com.covas-next.ui\plugins\ScreenshotConverter\
- Launch Covas:NEXT.
- Open the Plugin Settings panel → locate Screenshot Converter → verify or configure:
- Screenshot folder (usually
Pictures\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous) - Output format (PNG or JPG)
✅ That’s it — the plugin will automatically start converting screenshots as soon as Covas:NEXT receives a Screenshot event.
- Take a screenshot in Elite Dangerous (default key:
F10for BMP,Alt+F10for high-res). - The plugin automatically detects the event via Covas:NEXT.
- The BMP file is converted to the selected format (PNG/JPG) and saved in the same folder.
- The original BMP is safely deleted after successful conversion.
- Conversion logs appear in the Covas:NEXT console and log files.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Screenshot folder | Path where Elite Dangerous stores screenshots. |
| Output format | Choose between PNG and JPG output. |
- Ensure that Covas:NEXT has read/write access to the Elite Dangerous screenshot folder.
- Windows Defender or similar security tools may prompt for permission — allow it so conversions can complete.
- High-resolution screenshots may take a few seconds to convert depending on your system speed.
- Full Covas:NEXT Plugin System Integration
- Improved Screenshot Conversion Engine
- Intelligent Filename Generation
- Fixed: replaced invalid
get_event_manager()calls with_event_manager. - Fixed: conversion event propagation now works correctly.
- Improved: better error handling and cleaner logging.
- Verified: full compatibility with Covas:NEXT November 2025 builds.
- First stable major release.
- Added threaded background conversion.
- Implemented configurable format and directory settings.
- Improved logging and filename structure.
- Initial automatic BMP → PNG/JPG conversion prototype.
- Basic settings UI.
- Early testing version.
MIT License — see LICENSE for details.