DDS texture save format?

[capthelm]

i use adobe plug in reads writes DDS textures.


.....whats sh4 save format?

[skwasjer]

Usually DXT5, or simply (A)RGB. But you can also use DXT1/3 depending on the situation.

[ZigmundFreund]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

Usually DXT5, or simply (A)RGB. But you can also use DXT1/3 depending on the situation.

I'm modifying textures (NSS_Gato_T02.dds and NSS_GatoTower_T02.dds) to create a Gato that look like USS Drum and I was wondering if those are in DXT5 or RGB?

I'm only using the DDS console tool from Nvidia right now so I have a hard time to find out how to get the files back in the same size/format. Would it be easier to get that info using S3D?

[skwasjer]

Read up on this to make your decision:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/wiki/inde...sion_explained
http://cs.elderscrolls.com/constwiki....php/DDS_Files

The game does not really care except for where full alpha 'range' is 'required', which may lead to weird renderings (read: poorer quality) if you use DXT1/DXT3 where the devs intended DXT5 and use the full alpha range (by shader code). If in doubt, ARGB is a wise choice too, but it is lossless so bigger files!

In short, ships/hulls/towers usually are stored in DXT5 (instead of ARGB), since there usually is need for transparency, yet (lossy) compression is allowed. If you do not need transparency, then DXT1 or RGB will do (again, lossy vs lossless).

[keltos01]

I used dxt 3.0 does it mean dxt 5 is better ?

keltos

[skwasjer]

Not per se. DXT5 just provides a wider alpha range, but produces bigger files. Again, it's your choice, the game does not care. If DXT3 works for you, then by all means use it.

[Marka Ragnos]

To edit DDS files i use http://www.getpaint.net/

Very easy to use

[keltos01]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

Not per se. DXT5 just provides a wider alpha range, but produces bigger files. Again, it's your choice, the game does not care. If DXT3 works for you, then by all means use it.

thanks Skwasjer !

regards

keltos

[MaddogK]

What about mipmaps ?

[skwasjer]

What about them...

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

What about them...

Do you save external textures with them or without them, and if you do- at what depth ? I assume internal textures dont require them, ASSUME being the key word.

[iowa101]

yeah i'm sorry for hijacking the thread, but i'm using 3d max 2011 apparently that's what it says when i launch it. how do i get the .dds plugin for it
can you post a link, would be helpful

[skwasjer]

Originally Posted by MaddogK

Do you save external textures with them or without them, and if you do- at what depth ? I assume internal textures dont require them, ASSUME being the key word.

For external, definately save with mipmaps. I don't know if there's a magic number for the depth, but it doesn't add alot of weight to the file for the farthest mip levels. For internal, I can't say but I'm guessing they too are saved with mipmaps. Check out the stock files I would say...

Originally Posted by iowa101

yeah i'm sorry for hijacking the thread, but i'm using 3d max 2011 apparently that's what it says when i launch it. how do i get the .dds plugin for it
can you post a link, would be helpful

3Ds Max 2011 should show DDS textures.
You have to assign them in the Materials Editor.
Then assign them to the 3D object.

[iowa101]

Thank you mate, sorry again guys