What is a DDS file?
DDS (DirectDraw Surface) is a texture format for DirectX games that can store mipmaps and GPU-compressed data. It was introduced in 1999 by Microsoft.
What DDS is good at
- Loads straight to the GPU
- Stores mipmaps
- Standard for game textures
Where DDS falls short
- Not a general-purpose image format
- Viewers are limited
When to use DDS
- Game modding and textures
- DirectX applications
- 3D asset pipelines
Where DDS files open
DDS files open in Photoshop (with plugin), GIMP, Paint.NET, Unity and Unreal.
DDS compared with PNG
DDS or PNG? DDS is best for game modding and textures. PNG is best for screenshots and UI graphics. Convert DDS to PNG or convert PNG to DDS.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DDS file?
DDS (DirectDraw Surface) is a texture format for DirectX games that can store mipmaps and GPU-compressed data. It was introduced in 1999 by Microsoft.
What are the advantages of DDS?
Loads straight to the gpu; stores mipmaps; standard for game textures.
What are the drawbacks of DDS?
Not a general-purpose image format; viewers are limited.
What programs open DDS files?
DDS files open in Photoshop (with plugin), GIMP, Paint.NET, Unity and Unreal.
How do I convert a DDS file?
Choose the DDS converter you need from the list on this page, drop in your file and press Convert. You get your new file in seconds, free and without sign-up.