This simple guide will run you through the necessary steps of installing a .dds plugin for Photoshop CS 6.
What is DDS ?
The DirectDraw Surface container file format (uses the filename extension DDS), is a Microsoft formatfor storing data compressed with the proprietary S3 Texture Compression (S3TC) algorithm, which can be decompressed in hardware by GPUs.
Source: wikipedia.comBy default, Photoshop CS 6 is unable to read a .dds file. We need to grab the NVIDIA Texture Tools from here. These set of tools contain the NVIDIA Normal Map filter, the NVIDIA DDS plug-in, Mipster (A mip-map generation script) and the Cube Map Shuffler.
The NVIDIA Texture Tools for Adobe Photoshop are compatible with Adobe Photoshop 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5 and CS6.
.dds Plugin for Photoshop CC. Unique DLs- Total DLs- Total views- Version. Download: Manual; 0 of 0 File information. Last updated 27 April. DDS PLUGIN FOR PHOTOSHOP This is a plugin for GIMP version 2.x. It allows you to load and save images in DirectDraw Surface (DDS) format.
Hitting the download button will take you to the download page. In my case, I’ll choose Windows [64-bit]. Launch the .exe file you just downloaded. It’ll ask you to register the product by Name and Organization. I choose something random here as all my work is done for personal use.
It should find your installation directory automatically. In my case, it is D:Program FilesAdobeAdobe Photoshop CS6 (64 Bit) and click [Next]
To verify that everything was installed correctly, navigate to Program FilesAdobeAdobe Photoshop CS6 (64 Bit)Plug-insFileFormats and you should see your new .DDS plugin installed.
Intel has extended Photoshop* to take advantage of the latest image compression methods (BCn or DXT) via plugin. The purpose of this plugin is to provide a tool for artists to access superior compression results at optimized compression speeds within Photoshop.
Before Compression 769k TGA
After BC7 Fine Compression 257k DDS
Benefits
- Access to hardware supported superior compression results
- Compression at optimized speeds
- Previewing and convenience features to aid productivity
- Runs within established content tool
- Pluggable architecture for future compression schemes
FAQ
Q: Why do we still need texture compression?
A: Demand for more realism in games via textures has increased with every new graphics hardware improvement. Effective texture memory management (compression), is still required to keep pace with this demand.
Q: How can I minimize artifacts errors?
A: Higher bit depths and or finer (slower) compression formats (e.g. BC7 fine)
Q: Why would I use BCn over lossless PNG?
A1: PNG, JPG, etc. saves disk space and transmission time over the internet but have no impact on optimizing textures for use in graphics hardware memory whatsoever
A2: BCn optimizes textures for real-time use in graphics memory and saves space on disk. However, not all applications can read or load the newer BCn compression formats - This free sample code will allow you to implement optimized BCn in your app.
Q: Once I have a .DDS with BCn what do I do with it?
A: You can assign the texture to your object in any app that supports the chosen BCn format
Photoshop Dds Plugin Mac
Q: What game engines support DDS?
A1: Unreal* offers BC7 as a texture compression option on build
A2: Maya* 2015+ supports BC7 in Viewport2.0
Q: Is there support for Microsoft DirectX* 11.3 and 12?
A: Yes the newer BCn formats are supported in DirectX*11.2 and 12
Q: How do I know what compression is best for what?
A: See Export Formats table below
Q: What are the HW requirements for BCn
A1: Older graphics (< DirectX 10) won't support newer BC6 and BC7
A2: Low power graphics like PowerVR don't support BC compression
Q: Is a Mac* version available
A: No, not at this time
Key Features
- Multiple image format support for BCn,
- Save with
- Microsoft DirectX 10 extended header for sRGB
- Read DirectX10 extended header DDS files into Photoshop
- Choice of Fast and Fine (more accurate) compression
- Support for alpha maps, color maps, normal maps
- Support for cube maps
- BCn Compression
- Gaussian Blur Script
- Convert Horizontal cube cross to from Layers script
- Load or Edit mipmaps levels as layers - Repack mipmaps upon save
- Real-time preview to visualize quality trade-offs
- Photoshop Batch or Action support
- Save plugin settings as Presets
- Extensible
Cube Map Tools
Photoshop Dds Plugin Mac
Gaussian Blur Script
Allows you to apply a gaussian blur value across all individual layers (sides) of the cube map. Layers can then be saved directly to a single DDS file in the BCn format of choice or converted to a horizontal cube cross using the Convert Cube Map script provided to evaluate if desired.
Convert Cube Map Script
Enables 2-way conversion from a horizontal cube cross to individual sides as layers for image processing and back again.
Export Formats
Available formats change based on Texture Type chosen. Contextual guidance in simple terms is also provided. Color format list shown at left. Full list shown below.
| BC1 | RGB | 4BPP | aka DXT1 | Useful for color maps or normal maps if memory is tight. Contains RGB types of data |
| BC1 | sRGB | 4BPP | aka DXT1 | Same as above with sRGB extended header only on DirectX10 + level hardware |
| BC3 | RGBA | 8BPP | aka DXT5 | Useful for color maps with full alpha, packing color and mono maps together. Contains RGBA types of data. |
| BC3 | sRGBA | 8BPP | aka DXT5 | Same as above with sRGB extended header only on DirectX10 + level hardware |
| BC4 | R | 4BPP | Grayscale | Useful for height maps, gloss maps, font atlases or any other grey-scale image |
| BC5 | RG | 8BPP | aka 3Dc | Useful for tangent space normal maps. A two Channel Tangent Map |
| BC6H | RGB | 8BPP | Fast Compression | Useful for HDR 16 images only on DirectX11+ level hardware |
| BC6H | RGB | 8BPP | Fine Compression | Same as above with longer optimized compression time for a finer result |
| BC7 | RGBA | 8BPP | Fast Compression | Useful for high quality color maps, color maps with full alpha. It provides the best quality compression only on DirectX11+ level hardware |
| BC7 | RGBA | 8BPP | Fine Compression | Same as above with longer optimized compression time for a finer result |
| BC7 | sRGBA | 8BPP | Fast Compression | Same as BC7 Fast above with sRGB extended header only on DirectX10 + level hardware |
| BC7 | sRGBA | 8BPP | Fine Compression | Same as BC7 Fine above with sRGB extended header only on DirectX10 + level hardware |
| None | RGBA | 32BPP | Uncompressed |
Requirements
- Windows* (32 or 64) versions 7, 8, 10
- Photoshop* CS6 through CC2015
Reference
Photoshop Dds Plugin Intel
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