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.
A plug-in for Adobe Photoshop to support.DDS files based on DirectXTex to provide full support for all formats. NVIDIA has a DDS plugin in for Adobe Photoshop, but it does not support the 'DX10' header extension, BC6H, or BC7. Since Nvidia hasn't updated there installer for Photoshop CC, I figured I'll make this available for other Modders who can't get the.dds import export to work. Hope you enjoy it This is a free utility and you can redistribute. But consider choosing the Photoshop folder, so you can remember where they are. See Customize keyboard short cuts. Sample files Photoshop sample files are examples of files that can be created in Photoshop. They can help you learn Photoshop, by showing you the way documents can be created. English: macOS - Sample files. Adobe released a free plugin (for Windows/Mac) that provides access to the Google 3D Warehouse from within Photoshop CS3 Extended. With it you can participate in the 3D Warehouse community by searching, storing and sharing thousands of free 3D models and other content.
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
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
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.
Photoshop Open Dds
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
Feedback is Welcome
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* Other names and brands may be claimed by their owners.
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A question came up in the comments to my previous post:
Any suggestions on the best way to edit DDS files on a Mac?
The answer is simple: do not edit DDS files!!!
Dds Plugin For Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop Dds Plugin
The problem is simple: DDS is a lossy compressed format. Every time you go from an uncompressed/losslessly compressed format (like PNG, TIFF, or BMP) to a lossy format (like DDS or JPEG) you are going to lose a little bit of image quality. So if you re-open your DDS, edit it, and resave, your graphics program is going to make a round trip and reduce quality.
Therefore the work flow should be:
- Edit the original PNG or photoshop master file.
- When done, re-export to DDS.
So each time you work, you work from a lossless or uncompressed master (like PNG or a gimp/photoshop file) and then re-export to DDS.
Photoshop Dds File
About Ben Supnik
Dds For Photoshop Cc
Ben is a software engineer who works on X-Plane; he spends most of his days drinking coffee and swearing at the computer -- sometimes at the same time.