How to view & edit .dds files without Photoshop

Relaxation · 12/22/2007, 03:22

A lot of people out there depend on Photoshop to edit .dds files. I couldn't use Photoshop.

Instead, I used GIMP. It's free, and you can view, edit and convert .dds files in it.

2 things are needed:

1) Gimp
The download link for the current version is

.

2) .dds plugin for Gimp (this is used so Gimp can access .dds files). The current version is

.

Instructions:

1) Install Gimp.

2) Unzip the .dds plugin. (dds.exe)

3) Take dds.exe and place it in this folder:
C:\Program Files\GIMP-2.0\lib\gimp\2.0\plug-ins

4)Do not run dds.exe

5) Restart Gimp

You are done. Now you can open, view, edit, save, convert .dds files without needing Photoshop.

A screenshot is attached:

mike_nguyen1995 · 12/22/2007, 13:56

umm how come i did all of that and i saved it over the thing but it doesnt work on the game?

Darkmeric · 12/23/2007, 04:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nguyen1995

umm how come i did all of that and i saved it over the thing but it doesnt work on the game?

Yes, he right!

Relaxation · 12/24/2007, 10:22

How do you save it? When you save it, you need to save it as BC2/DXT3.

I should have mentioned that.

edit: here's a screenshot

mike_nguyen1995 · 12/24/2007, 10:29

so save it as BC2/DXT3 ? many thanks. +k

mike_nguyen1995 · 12/24/2007, 10:34

Btw did you mean name? or a file?

Darkmeric · 12/24/2007, 16:14

Save it as a file.

mike_nguyen1995 · 12/25/2007, 03:10

cool ty.

mike_nguyen1995 · 12/25/2007, 05:25

Hey i did all that but it still doesnt work on the game. you still know why?

emmanication · 12/25/2007, 13:04

new paint.net version can open dds files also

Relaxation · 12/26/2007, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nguyen1995

Btw did you mean name? or a file?

Neither file, nor name. BC2/DXT3 is a type of compression. When you save the dds file, you have to select BC2/DXT3 compression. See the screenshot I posted.

If you did that, then make sure you have saved the file in the same location as before.

You can get a lot of additional help at cofusion:

darkfirenite · 05/04/2008, 06:11

TY so much! i dont have 10 posts yet so i cant +k you. I made a mod of the 2nd reborn vigor! GOLD! and it looks awsome. TY again

Zicke589 · 05/08/2008, 16:32

YEAR VERY WELL UR GUID!!! BIG THX THATS THE BEST GUID I EVER SAW!! k+

neoonline2 · 06/12/2009, 17:31

Very good, very helpful, plus there is a plugin for me to open items C3?

~~khaledzorro1~~ · 06/17/2009, 02:51

i need download photoshop plase give me link