Errors when opening DDS files

[JohnHawkwood]

So, I've been trying to edit some of the decals from Worsin's Power Armor mod, but my usual Paint.net (and a couple DDS editors I've downloaded specifically for this) gives errors when trying to open the decal files. I've spent a lot of time searching for solutions to this, but the answers mostly seem to be "the files are corrupted" (in which case, why does the game not have problems loading and showing them?), or 5+ year old links to outdated resources and programs.

 

I've also tried to open GIMP up for the first time in ages (since I hate the UI), but GIMP 2.8 doesn't seem to be able to open any DDS files. So I've decided it might be time to ask for help.

Is there anyone able to open the attached file properly, and if so, what program did you use?

[bLakZmOkeareOoouYyye]

I think gimp needs a dds plugin, that's how I edit textures. been a long time since i installed it though

[PoliteRaider]

DDS formats include many different sub formats. Most of Fallout 4's are encoded in more recent sub formats which older programs would be unable to read.

 

With Photoshop you can try

https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop

 

Or for GIMP

http://registry.gimp.org/node/70

[Perraine]

I'd like to know this as well.

My preferred image editor is also Paint.net, because of the native support for .dds files, however certain files just refuse to open. My computer is a potato, and some of the textures that some modders supply a stupidly and pointlessly large, There is no reason AT ALL for files to be 21K yet some idio modders insist on making their textures this size. I never had any problems opening any file from Skyrim.

[JohnHawkwood]

DDS formats include many different sub formats. Most of Fallout 4's are encoded in more recent sub formats which older programs would be unable to read.

 

With Photoshop you can try

https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop

 

Or for GIMP

http://registry.gimp.org/node/70

I'd already found that plugin, but couldn't get it to work. Now I've figured how to get it work, and explain the process:

 

You have to get GIMP 2.6 from here: https://download.gimp.org/mirror/pub/gimp/v2.6/windows/ (I picked gimp-2.6.12-1686-setup-2.exe)

If you have a 64bit system, you have to install it as 32bit through cmd, open up cmd and type "cd Downloads" and press enter,

Follow it with "gimp-2.6.12-1686-setup-2.exe /32" and press enter

Run the install.

Download the latest 32bit version of the DDS plugin from here: https://code.google.com/archive/p/gimp-dds/downloads

Extract the folder in [install Directory]\GIMP-2.0\lib\gimp\2.0\plug-ins

Start up GIMP and let it install the plugin

Your GIMP can now see and open DDS files.

Tear your hair out because while GIMP can open DDS DXT5 files (which Paint.net can't), the file attached uses DXT7 which only Photoshop can open.