

It is very straightforward to save an image as a DDS file. Now let’s jump right in to learn how to install and use the Photoshop DDS plugin. It does have a learning curve though, so it is better to just start with simple modifications to existing DDS-based environments and elements in a game that you enjoy playing. Depending on your familiarity with the game you are developing these assets for and your skill level, it can become a lucrative source of revenue and even a full-fledged career. On the page, you will find examples with images that showcase what can be done with DDS.Īs a photographer, you can create fantastic gaming environments and textures using your photographs. DDS files are mainly used for storing computer gaming environments and textures for models within the environment. If you want to know about the various uses for DDS files, check out the NVIDIA page I have linked to in section 2. I also have included a free, open-source alternative that works on both Mac and Windows and is fully updated to run on current OS versions in both cases. If you want to open and save DDS files on a Mac, please go to the end of the article to read about the third option which works for both Windows and Mac but is much older.

Please note that these plugins are only available for Windows users at the moment. This way, you get the best of both worlds. You can install both on your computer if you so choose and while saving you will have two different options respectively. One requires a manual install and the other comes with an installer. There are two main options for the DDS plugin. You can open and save DDS files inside Photoshop, but you’ll need a third-party Photoshop DDS plugin to accomplish this. There’s the Wikipedia article on it for those of you who want to geek out on the technical details, link at the end. It can also be used to store photos and Windows desktop backgrounds. DDS (DirectDraw Surface container) is a container format from Microsoft that is popular in game development for storing graphical textures and other pixel-based in-game assets for creating 3D environments in real-time.Īs a container format, it can be used to store any kind of information.
