How do I edit a .DDS File?

Aros

Hey fellas, I am trying to open up and edit some files from the U-25 Pay N' Pak paint scheme I downloaded. I am a graphic designer and I just want to make some small tweaks here and there but I don't work with .DDS files. I have Photoshop/Illustrator. Any help is greatly appreciated!

cp65

There is a plug-in for Photoshop that lets you save and open dds files.

What kind of tweaks to the Pay N' Pak are you wanting to make? I have to original psd files for the boat as well as the logos that I made for it.

Aros

Hi Chris, thanks for the reply! I did actually figure out how to use that plug in to open up and edit .dds files in Photoshop...Problem is, when I try to save I don't know what settings to use so it hoses the files. All I am wanting is the tail design to change from 1981 to 1982 style. Let's see if I can post a photo here...

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I would be ecstatic if I could either get the help to do it myself or if it's not too much trouble to ask?

cp65

I should be able to do the '82 version since I have plans to update the '81 version anyway.

Aros

@cp65 Wow! Wonderful news! Thank you so much!

Aros

@cp65 I did a quick rendering of the 82 scheme with a little liberty taken on the side of the cowling where I extended the orange stripe to meet up with the top stripe...

https://ibb.co/SwfKzQ7

craigmont

The big thing is that they start as .psd, not dds. We flatten all the layers and then save as dds with your dds plugin. The templates are here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DIOr89tJfDemsREYHmlu6wHNi_Ua7C4M

Happy painting!

Aros

@craigmont Thanks, I actually did try that route (.PSD and save as .DDS) but it didn't work for me...I think it's something in the settings when you go to save..There's all these options in the plug in that I don't know what I should be selecting...

cp65

Step-by-step instructions for saving dds files in Photoshop

When you are ready to save your skin as a dds, you will need to flatten the layers so it is in one (1) layer. To do this, go to the Layer menu and select the Flatten Image option.
The program will then ask you if you want to discard any hidden layers. Click the OK button.
You then need to save the image using the Save As option. Be careful not to select the Save option. If you do, you will lose your layers. (If that happens at this point in the process, go to the History window (Window/History) and click on the line titled Open and the file will revert back to the state it was before you flattened the layers. You can then save the file again and it will be fine.) This is the step where you need to slow down if you're trying to get things done as fast as possible so you don't make a mistake. You'll actually save time by doing this step slowly.
Once the Save As window opens, go down to the Format drop down menu and the dds file format should be an option if you installed the plug-in correctly. Select it and then hit the Save button.
The nvidia dds plug-in window then opens. Select the type of dds file you want to save your skin as. Select DXT1 for a main paint scheme or DXT5 for a metallic file if the scheme doesn’t use the default met files. You can then hit the Save button and let the plug-in do its thing. You’ll know when it's done. You can then close the file and move to the next file or you can close the program.

Aros

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you!