DDS files are usually associated with Microsoft’s DirectX. DDS is the filename extension for images saved in the DirectDraw Surface container file format, whether compressed or uncompressed.
DDS files can store textures, texture arrays, cube maps, Mipmaps, and volume maps as data since they are compressed using the S3 Texture Compression technique. The DDS file format is mostly used to save DXTn textures for video game unit models and Windows wallpapers. DirectX SDK, Windows Texture Viewer, Photoshop, GIMP, XnView, and Paint.NET are examples of graphics processing tools that support DDS files.
What are DDS Files?
A raster image saved in the DirectDraw Surface (DDS) container format is known as a DDS file. It has the ability to hold both compressed and uncompressed pixel representations. DDS files are commonly used for texturing video game unit models, but they can also hold digital images and Windows desktop backdrops.
Microsoft created the DDS format to be used with the DirectX SDK to create real-time rendering programs, particularly 3D games. In 3D video games, the format is typically used to store model textures, mipmap levels, and cubemaps.
Because DDS is a container format, it can hold a wide range of data. However, the format is most commonly used to hold texture data compressed using the S3 Texture Compression (S3TC) technique, sometimes known as a DXTn texture.
The compression is lossless, which means that some quality is lost as a result of the compression. However, because most computer video cards implement the S3TC/DXTn compression algorithm natively, the format delivers quick load times.
How to Open a DDS File?
To open a DDS file, you’ll need software like DirectX. You’ll get a Windows message asking “How do you wish to open this file?” if you don’t have the right software. or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android message, such as “Windows cannot open this file.”
If you’re having trouble opening your DDS file, try right-clicking or long-pressing it. Then select a program from the “Open with” drop-down menu. A DDS file can also be viewed directly in the browser. Simply drag and drop the file into this browser window.
Programs that Open DDS Files
- DirectX
Because this sort of file is typically created or utilized by this software, DirectX DDS files are also known as DirectX raster images.
- 1942 Battlefield
Battlefield 1942 is a military first-person shooter video game set during World War II. Players can choose to play as a scout, medic, infantryman, or engineer in the game. DDS files are used to hold unit and object graphics in Battlefield 1942. This file type is categorized as Game.
- Creator of First-Person Shooters
FPS Creator was a scalable gaming engine that let you make first-person shooter games. It has a user-friendly and adaptable editing environment. Textures are saved in DDS files by this software. This file type is categorized as a raster image.
- GIMP
GIMP is a free, cross-platform image editing, graphics design, and illustration program. DDS texture files can be opened and edited in GIMP. Raster Image is the category for this file type.
- D7007 from the IMS
IMS D7007 is an out-of-date application that was used to write and compile Occam programs for usage on computer hardware. A DDS file was used to contain the descriptor of its Occam programming language compiler. Data is the category for this file type.