Editing DDS Files

Patchman123 · 12-07-12, 06:57 PM

When I try to create a file with really big font a DDS file to create a new file for Silent Hunter IV to create a Place Name with a big font, like I want to create the United States for example in my new Navigation Charts mod on the internet, it just ends up being microscopically small. It is very small on the map for the Mission Editor, that is very small for a big land mass like Canada or the United States for Example, I want to create something really big, like United States or Canada in a DDS file where I take an already made DDS file and erase that one and save it as something else, I_Australia.dds. Then, I open mission editor and I look for the DDS file to place on the map. Then, I select it on there and I place in on the map and it comes out looking really small that you need a microscope just to see it and almost invisible to the map. The scale is killing me. Help!

Why doesn't it ever come out being really big on the map and yet really big font on the Paint.net photo editor? I do not know, it is a mystery to me. It mystifies me beyond all forms of frustration.

I want to create really big place names for big continents like Europe or Africa or big land masses like the Soviet Union or Europe or Africa or something like that. How do I make the font DDS file NOT come out so microscopically small? I am having trouble with this.

If I am opening it in Photoshop,
It gives me the options of Load using Default Sizes, Convert Images to 8 bits, 16 bits, or 32 bits. Load MIP maps Load flipped vertically. Which options do I choose? Which is the best one?

I am using Photoshop Elements 9.

What do I do? Patchman's Uber Navigation Charts (Improved) my new mod to come out.

I took the TMO map mod and added a bunch of names to it, to create the feel of a real navigation chart with actually named islands that are no longer blank when you go past them and you know where they are and you don't get lost and you know off of which island you sank your ship, e.g. New Britain or something like that.

Cybermat47 · 12-07-12, 07:51 PM

Well, I know that GIMP doesn't work.

Гоголь.

BigWalleye · 12-07-12, 09:10 PM

Patchman, how are you opening DDS files with P'shop? I have PS CS6, and for the stock program, DDS is not a supported file type. I have to use a converter like ICP before I can apply PS. If you are using a plug-in to PS to convert to/from DDS, the plug-in may be doing something funny. After you add the text, do you flatten the image before you save it? (I don't know if PS Essentials allows this. I only use full PS.) PS puts the type in a separate layer and doesn't convert it to bitmap until the image is flattened. Your converter may not be handling this layer properly.

12-08-12, 01:45 AM

use paint.net

it is made to open, edit, and save your dds files

BigWalleye · 12-08-12, 09:17 AM

Patchman, I just tried paint.net (freeware) and it did seem to do what you want. UI seems to be similar to PS, so learning curve shouldn't be too bad. At that price, it's worth a try!

CapnScurvy · 12-08-12, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patchman123

If I am opening it in Photoshop,
It gives me the options of Load using Default Sizes, Convert Images to 8 bits, 16 bits, or 32 bits. Load MIP maps Load flipped vertically. Which options do I choose? Which is the best one?

Patchman, when loading the image use the "Default Size".

I wouldn't think the map contains MIP maps, so I wouldn't worry about them. Same is true when you're finishing the work in Photoshop. Don't have the MIP maps placed into the final .dds file. They take up a lot of memory, and slow down rendering. Many modders make the mistake of having MIP maps in images that don't need them, finding their work causes FPS's to drop.....leading to the 'ole blue screen of death. Again, I don't think their needed (but I could be wrong). As far as I know, MIP maps only come into play when objects are expected to be resized (but not the way the map gets resized). I'd check to see if the stock map file has them or not.....if they do.......then I stand corrected!

==================

BigWalleye, a plug-in is needed to have .dds images recognized in PhotoShop. nVidia's plug-in can be found HERE.

merc4ulfate · 12-08-12, 10:15 AM

If you use this plug in for GIMP you can edit the DDS files succeesfully:

http://registry.gimp.org/node/70

The plug in is for 32 bit systems only

12-07-12, 06:57 PM	#1
Patchman123 Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cochranton, Pennsylvania Posts: 139 Downloads: 226 Uploads: 2	Need Help Editing DDS Files When I try to create a file with really big font a DDS file to create a new file for Silent Hunter IV to create a Place Name with a big font, like I want to create the United States for example in my new Navigation Charts mod on the internet, it just ends up being microscopically small. It is very small on the map for the Mission Editor, that is very small for a big land mass like Canada or the United States for Example, I want to create something really big, like United States or Canada in a DDS file where I take an already made DDS file and erase that one and save it as something else, I_Australia.dds. Then, I open mission editor and I look for the DDS file to place on the map. Then, I select it on there and I place in on the map and it comes out looking really small that you need a microscope just to see it and almost invisible to the map. The scale is killing me. Help! Why doesn't it ever come out being really big on the map and yet really big font on the Paint.net photo editor? I do not know, it is a mystery to me. It mystifies me beyond all forms of frustration. I want to create really big place names for big continents like Europe or Africa or big land masses like the Soviet Union or Europe or Africa or something like that. How do I make the font DDS file NOT come out so microscopically small? I am having trouble with this. If I am opening it in Photoshop, It gives me the options of Load using Default Sizes, Convert Images to 8 bits, 16 bits, or 32 bits. Load MIP maps Load flipped vertically. Which options do I choose? Which is the best one? I am using Photoshop Elements 9. What do I do? Patchman's Uber Navigation Charts (Improved) my new mod to come out. I took the TMO map mod and added a bunch of names to it, to create the feel of a real navigation chart with actually named islands that are no longer blank when you go past them and you know where they are and you don't get lost and you know off of which island you sank your ship, e.g. New Britain or something like that. Last edited by Patchman123; 12-07-12 at 07:10 PM.

12-07-12, 07:51 PM	#2
Cybermat47 Willing Webfooted Beast Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 5,408 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 23	Well, I know that GIMP doesn't work. Гоголь. __________________ Historical TWoS Gameplay Guide: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2572620 Historical FotRSU Gameplay Guide: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho....php?p=2713394

12-07-12, 09:10 PM	#3
BigWalleye Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: On the Eye-lond, mon! Posts: 1,987 Downloads: 465 Uploads: 0	Patchman, how are you opening DDS files with P'shop? I have PS CS6, and for the stock program, DDS is not a supported file type. I have to use a converter like ICP before I can apply PS. If you are using a plug-in to PS to convert to/from DDS, the plug-in may be doing something funny. After you add the text, do you flatten the image before you save it? (I don't know if PS Essentials allows this. I only use full PS.) PS puts the type in a separate layer and doesn't convert it to bitmap until the image is flattened. Your converter may not be handling this layer properly.

12-08-12, 01:45 AM	#4
Webster Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	use paint.net it is made to open, edit, and save your dds files

12-08-12, 09:17 AM	#5
BigWalleye Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: On the Eye-lond, mon! Posts: 1,987 Downloads: 465 Uploads: 0	Patchman, I just tried paint.net (freeware) and it did seem to do what you want. UI seems to be similar to PS, so learning curve shouldn't be too bad. At that price, it's worth a try!

12-08-12, 10:15 AM	#7
merc4ulfate DILLIGAF Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: florida Posts: 2,058 Downloads: 210 Uploads: 0	If you use this plug in for GIMP you can edit the DDS files succeesfully: http://registry.gimp.org/node/70 The plug in is for 32 bit systems only