Home : Extensions : .dds files

.dds File Extension

File Type DirectDraw Surface

Developer Microsoft
Category Raster image files
File Format Binary

DDS file type

A DDS file is a raster image saved in the DirectDraw Surface (DDS) container format. It can store compressed and uncompressed pixel formats and is often used for texturing video game unit models. DDS files may also be used to store Windows desktop backgrounds or wallpapers.

More Information

The DDS format was introduced in Microsoft DirectX 7.0 to store textures and environments. Subsequent versions introduced various improvements, such as support for volume textures in DirectX 8.0, arrays of textures in Direct3D 10, and new Direct3D texture formats in Direct3D 11.

Programs that open DDS files

Windows
Adobe Photoshop
GIMP
XnViewMP
IrfanView
Windows Texture Viewer
Natron
Chaos Group Pdplayer
Linux
GIMP
XnViewMP
Natron
Chaos Group Pdplayer
Macintosh
Adobe Photoshop
GIMP
XnViewMP
Natron
Chaos Group Pdplayer

About DDS Files

Our goal is to explain what .dds file is used for for and how to open it.

File DirectDraw Surface usage cases for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS software listed on this page have been individually researched and verified using the FilesWiki team. We strive for 100% accuracy and only publish information about file formats that we have tested and verified.