Looking for a simple bmp to dds converter

[Crusader]

I would really like to switch alot of the excellent portovers from bmp texture files to dds format . I found a program called bmp2dds but there wasn't a manual or instructions included . Keep in mind that it must be simple for a very simple minded person (me). If it involves alot of other programs and changes to " mips and maps" or whatever they are called I may have to quit before I get started . LOL
I realize it may involve alot of time for one AC's conversion but as I stated , if it is simple enough and not complicated , I have plenty of time . Any other program suggestions other than the one I mentioned above welcome if you think it would be easier .

Thanks , ( 0318 Eastern---time to "hit the rack" as we use to say in the military---this is what happens when you are retired---you don't give a damn what time it is)

Rich

[Crusader]

Found this on a search here at SOH . Thanks Bjoern . Havn't had a chance to read through everything . It looks like I might just have to pick an AC in airplane folder to experiment with and if I screw it up , so be it . I am just looking for a step by step way to convert as I am VERY new to this .

Rich


http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...ure+conversion

[jankees]

DXTbmp will do this for you quite nicely.
Just open, flip vertically (button in lower left hand corner) and save.

but seriously, why would you want to do it, if it is so much work?
FSX will read bmp's without a problem, the textures are identical, the only difference is that the textures are flipped, which means they will load one millisecond faster than normal bmp's.
So unless you are taxing your system, I wouldn't bother, I still have heaps of bmp textures in my FSX without any problem, and I can see no difference.

[guzler]

Found this on a search here at SOH . Thanks Bjoern . Havn't had a chance to read through everything . It looks like I might just have to pick an AC in airplane folder to experiment with and if I screw it up , so be it . I am just looking for a step by step way to convert as I am VERY new to this .

Rich


http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...ure+conversion

I use this and highly recommend it, incredibly simple and takes seconds to convert each texture folder. Never had any problems with it.

[bruce448]

try this batch file that I made a while ago

http://www.mediafire.com/file/2d9r7g...67/bmp2dds.zip


Just place the 2 files into your texture folder that you need converting and double click on the bmp2dds.bat file, the rest will be done for you.

Bruce

[Crusader]

Thanks all for the above . So if I understand it right , there is no visual--quality advantage to switching . My system displays the bmps well and I don't think they effect performance (fps) that much . I always thought there was some type of advantage other than size .

[Crusader]

DXTbmp will do this for you quite nicely.
Just open, flip vertically (button in lower left hand corner) and save.

but seriously, why would you want to do it, if it is so much work?
FSX will read bmp's without a problem, the textures are identical, the only difference is that the textures are flipped, which means they will load one millisecond faster than normal bmp's.
So unless you are taxing your system, I wouldn't bother, I still have heaps of bmp textures in my FSX without any problem, and I can see no difference.

Thanks jankees ,

I consider you one of the premier painters in the FS world . I have a ton of your paints .

Rich

[italoc]

Hi Rich
Jankees is 100% correct: don't bother, bmp are perfectly ok in FSX !!
Italo

[PRB]

DXTbmp will do this for you quite nicely.
Just open, flip vertically (button in lower left hand corner) and save.

but seriously, why would you want to do it, if it is so much work?
FSX will read bmp's without a problem, the textures are identical, the only difference is that the textures are flipped, which means they will load one millisecond faster than normal bmp's.
So unless you are taxing your system, I wouldn't bother, I still have heaps of bmp textures in my FSX without any problem, and I can see no difference.

That's a great idea! Saves a step. Thanks, jankeeys.

[BASys]

Hi Folks

Please DO NOT convert texture types !

FS reads the texture.extension calls from within the model file.

FS then searches specifically for those explicitly named texture.extension files.



By converting AND renaming files, (e.g. from .BMP to .DDS)
you're adding TWO extra disk file-seeks
for every single texture renamed.

Doing so utilises lots of CPU & I/O cycles.



If just converting types, (i.e. retainining developers original texture.extension),
it'll have a relatively minor FPS impact.



For a detailed explanation, please see FSDeveloper - Wiki - Missing Textures.



HTH
ATB
Paul

[Bjoern]

Thanks Bjoern .

No problem.

Please DO NOT convert texture types !

I don't quite get your point.

I've converted all of my AI aircraft textures to .dds (.dds also works with non-native aircraft models) and don't have any problems at all.
The model file looks primarily for the texture name, not necessarily the extension. Otherwise, using file formats such as .psd for development in GMax/Max would drive FSX nuts looking for the proper texture format once the model is in-sim.

[BASys]

Hi Folks

I've converted all of my AI aircraft textures to .dds (.dds also works with non-native aircraft models) and don't have any problems at all.

Bjoern -
Just because you haven't noticed any obvious problem,
doesn't mean that your system isn't doing lots of unnecessary disk-seeking.

The model file looks primarily for the texture name,
not necessarily the extension.

Sorry but you're misinformed.

Please read the wiki article.

Otherwise, using file formats such as .psd for development in GMax/Max
would drive FSX nuts looking for the proper texture format once the model is in-sim.

Thats an incorrect assumption.

FSX also natively supports lots of legacy formats.



HTH
ATB
Paul

[mjahn]

Read the Wiki, interesting test.

What are the consequences for modellers, I wonder? Personally, I use ordinary bmp's (and sometimes jpg's) for mapping, but use dds in the sim itself. Should I, prior to final compilation, change filenames in the Material Editor so as to read xxx.dds, in order to shorten the search cycle?

Note that in the compilation procedure you are allowed to tick boxes such as "Use .BMP Extension" and "Use .DDS files" (both, if you want). Does this have any significance?

[Bjoern]

...

...

I relation to the posts from both of you, I think the most important part of the article is this one...

The search sequence will repeat whenever the model requires a reload.
e.g. If the viewport is cycled from VC/2D to external.

So FSX isn't constantly searching for stuff; only when it's needed.

Judging from the amount of aircraft you will encounter in the FSX skies and the pace at which FSX usually progresses, the performance penalty is negligible.


The question about whether to allow both .dds and .bmp or just one is interesting 'though.

[Bjoern]

A short investigation later...

Note that in the compilation procedure you are allowed to tick boxes such as "Use .BMP Extension" and "Use .DDS files" (both, if you want). Does this have any significance?

No. The model file...

What are the consequences for modellers, I wonder? Personally, I use ordinary bmp's (and sometimes jpg's) for mapping, but use dds in the sim itself. Should I, prior to final compilation, change filenames in the Material Editor so as to read xxx.dds, in order to shorten the search cycle?

...references the file used in the texture slots in the material editor. I've exported and compiled a FSX model with various combinations of the tick boxes of the export module, then opened the .mdl with Notepad. The textures referenced always stayed the same format as specified in the material editor.

So this means if you want to have the shortest search cycle, work with exactly the same formats in (G)Max and FSX. BMP and BMP, DDS and DDS.


But as I've said in my last post, the two extra cycles aren't really relevant since they're just used once to load the model.