Importing a .dds backward to Gimp.

[Tweeker]

I'm currently trying to re-paint some existing models, specifically a fuel tank. You would think it would be super easy to re-paint an existing .dds, but I am having zero luck getting it into GIMP. I've downloaded GIMG 2.6 and installed the dds.exe plug in, but it fails each time I start GIMP. Anyone have any experience getting this to work?

[Vorg]

Gimp is 2.8 and I think the dds import is a plugin, but I forget

[JPLRepo]

Gimp is 2.8 and I think the dds import is a plugin, but I forget

Yes you have to instal the dds plugin for gimp

[Tweeker]

ok, I updated to Gimp 2.8, re-installed the plug-in and got texture into gimp. Thanks for the help with that, small steps

Now I'm having trouble getting the image back out to KSP. I did a simple change, drawing a big red X across the texture for a FL-T400 fuel tank, but when I exported it the texture showed up in-game as all white.

When I export back to a .dds it does it need to be encoded a certain way?

[Vorg]

Use "Export As" and then use compression DXT1, Generate Mipmaps. I don't know if it would help but I read that if under advanced you switched to Kaiser filter, it is supposed to give little better quality job of compressing. Most image/video compressers are lossy, not lossless. So the image is degraded.

[Randazzo]

DXT1 will remove the alpha channel and therefore any specular map that might be in the original texture. Use DXT5 if any part of the texture appears to be somewhat transparent. It might come out all right under DXT1, but better not to break it.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Randazzo

[Tweeker]

That got it. Thanks, I'm nearly on m way!

[Tweeker]

OK, I got that working, opened and repainted a stock fuel tank. (small steps)

Now I need to re-paint a stock engine, the problem I'm having is the texture appears mainly as a grey checker board. I'm trying to re-paint the LV-T30, Model0001.

[Enceos]

Looks you didn't turn off the alpha channel. That texture has an embedded specular map.

[Tweeker]

I tried removing the layer, it goes from gray checkerboard to white. The only thing I found that makes a difference is threshold alpha, if I set this to 0 I can see bits of the texture, it seems like I need to go lower but there is no negative setting.

[Enceos]

Have you tried disabling the alpha channel like I told you?

[Tweeker]

I tried, it goes from being able to see the outline of the texture under the "checkerboard" to all checkerboard. I don't have a lot of time on the weekends, I'll try to look at it again Sunday. To be clear, what I am doing is de-selecting the "eyeball" next to the alpha chanel.

[Tweeker]

I finally got it I think,

I imported the lv-t30 model001.dds and the exported as Alpha exponent/DXT5

Then I reopened it and exported as BC5/DXT5.

The file is then visible with normal textures, and also openable by the game.