DDS Compression Format?

[SkyeRangerDelta]

I've been trying to work this one out for a while...

I'm working in GIMP and I have created a simple re-texture for something and I want to know in what compression format to save it in:

-Needs to preserve the alpha channel mainly

I was thinking about DXT5, but I'm not sure.

[nonames]

i also have no clue how to do this in gimp i know ppl reccomen with photoshop to use DXT5 8.8.8.8 but gimp does not have those options

[SkyeRangerDelta]

GIMP has a DDS plugin, I can open/save with compression and all that, but if you're refering to GIMP not being able to save with that 8.8.8.8 bit, yea.

I'm debating whether to go get that CC photoshop trial or not to try to work with this. Is that recommended?

[nonames]

i just have a (cough,cough) free cc2014 version :)

[SkyeRangerDelta]

How might one become savvy to such a thing?

[nonames]

you just gotta know how to torrent but ive never done such a thing as it is illegal and will get me banned :)

[SkyeRangerDelta]

Yea, figured as much, I don't care too much for torrenting.

I'll probably just go get the trial version.

Here, add me as friend.

[nonames]

sure

[jreese46]

https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/214873-correct-dds-texture-compressionformat/

http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?154090-DDS-Texture-compression-resources

http://cs.elderscrolls.com/index.php?title=GIMP:_Quality_Normal_Maps

There seems (as always) be a bit of variance, but when I was reading through these, I came to the conclusion that I'd be ok with DXT-1 for regular textures, and DXT-3 for normal maps. I haven't attempted any life like or high res retextures, though, so... I'm sure the low-res basics are more forgiving for me. Anyway, hope these discussions help clarify it some.

[SkyeRangerDelta]

So 8.8.8.8 ARGB is a good compression, but I have to get my hands on Photoshop first. Heh.

CS2 is free, but super old, CC has a trial; and for some reason my CC is acting up. I'll get back to the thread once I resolve the matter.