Graphics Converter

[sevenpointflaw]

So... the only link I can find to GC3 has the program in .lzh, which I honestly thought was a format that died with MSDOS. Anyhow, is there a .zip version, or another program that can be used to convert between .dds?

[Jei]

Re: Graphics Converter

if you use win rar you can extract the file.

or install this plug in ^^b
http://developer.nvidia.com/object/p...s_plugins.html
lets your photoshop open/save directly into DDS format

[sevenpointflaw]

Re: Graphics Converter

You know, I almost asked specificly about a photoshop plugin, then I then I thought to myself, Nah... Who would be -that- geeky other than me.

I should realized the community I'm in XD

[Stromgarde]

Re: Graphics Converter

GC3 is also worth a look at if you plan on getting the absolute best quality out of your mods. It uses a different compression algorythm than the nVidia one, and as such won't cause artifacting in the same places. For my face mod, it was almost essential in order to obtain satisfactory results.

[sevenpointflaw]

Re: Graphics Converter

for now i'm just looking at redoing some of the textures for my own amusement more than any sort of desire for some "serious" modding.

[Stromgarde]

Re: Graphics Converter

Ah, in that case the plugin should be exactly what you're looking for.

[sevenpointflaw]

Re: Graphics Converter

Does the nVidia plugin handle the alpha channel properly? I've never worked with one in Photoshop before, not sure if I need anything special to make FFXI work properly w/ my edits.

[Stromgarde]

Re: Graphics Converter

While editing .dds files directly, yes, it does handle the alpha channel well. However, doing it in this fashon gradually erodes the quality of the texture, so I recommend working in .psd format, and using FILE > SAVE AS to retain maximum quality.

[dabadking]

Re: Graphics Converter

wait wait.... i thought GC3 gave me green tint BECAUSE it didnt convert them without losing quality.....now im getting photoshop plugin<<<<CG3?.... what is better for what, and why please.

[Stromgarde]

Re: Graphics Converter

You will always get the green tint, regardless of conversion method. Its degree of appearance increases with successive generations, like graininess and color bleed on a VHS fansub. However, by keeping a 'master', this can be kept to a minimum. Also, GC3 holds benefits not because of the greening, but because it has the potential to decrease the appearance of artifacts in certain situations, like you get with a poorly compressed jpeg.

[Jei]

Re: Graphics Converter

the DDS from my understanding is indeed a type of compression. So the more you re-compress your image, the lower quality it gets. Saving in PSD format while you're still working on the image will ensure you're not compressing it uneccesarily.

[Kilandor]

Re: Graphics Converter

Yes, the simple solution is to keep an orginal in a format such as PSD so you don't continue to lsoe quailty.