.dds normal-maps, DDS Converter failure, and more..

[RaidersClamoring]

I'm trying to extract and convert .dds-maps used as "holes" in effect shaders to .psd:s but it seems DDS Converter 2.1 fails at converting precisely these.

Another app with the same name downloaded from www.ddsconverter.com *does* succeed in converting them to .tif:s, .tgs:s and .png:s but they have no alpha channels.

Do the "holes"-dds:s generally have alpha or is the second app output perfectly fine?

It would make sense that they don't because alpha channels in .dds, as I understand it, is mostly used for material sheen and normal maps will instead use depth (i.e. the darker hues) to generate holes.

 

Also, are there other conversion methods/apps better suited for this purpose?

 

Grateful for any help.

[0xC0000005]

Also, are there other conversion methods/apps better suited for this purpose?

I recommend trying the DirectXTex texconv utility. It is a command line based tool that bulk convert to/from most DDS formats.

If you want a GUI app, Paint.NET can load most DDS formats (its DDS support uses DirectXTex).

[Zorkaz]

Use Photopea. No problem importing and exporting the textures. Also it's like Photoshop so easy to use
https://www.photopea.com/

[RoNin1971]

As an alternative, GIMP will do nicely. I use it for pretty much all my textures.

.dds support comes as default & works perfectly for FO4.