How to Open DDS Files: Photoshop, DDS Viewer, DDS File to PNG

Easily view DDS files in Windows with or without Photoshop. Here are the steps ?

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

DDS (Direct Draw Surface) is an image file format that Microsoft established with DirectX 7.0. Microsoft conceived DDS as a container format for raster images with compressed and decompressed pixels.

This file format is primarily for saving graphics textures and game maps. However, DDS is not among the most widely supported image file formats, so you might wonder how to open DDS files in Windows 10.

We made sure to provide you with a set of tools that can open the DDS file extension.

What program can open DDS?

How can I open DDS files?

1. Add NVIDIA Texture Tools plugin to Photoshop

Photoshop

2. Use File Viewer Plus

File Viewer Plusis a universal file opener software, fully compatible with the Windows 10 architecture that users can open DDS images.

After installing the program you just have to open it and find the DDS file that you want to view. The tool also offers some editing options.

The bulk conversion feature is useful, as well, in case you need to have a batch of files using another popular format.

3. Use DDS Viewer

Download DDS Viewer from thesoftware’s download page.
Open the installer to allow the program to install.
Launch the DDS Viewer software and select a DDS file on the Open window.
Click theOpenbutton.
Resize the DDS file by entering alternative values in the Width and Height boxes and clicking the green tick button.
Press theRotate Image LeftandRotate Image Rightbuttons to rotate the DDS file.

4. Convert the DDS File to PNG

Although it is not insanely popular, the DDS format can prove to be quite useful especially for storing graphics textures and game maps.

Which tool will you pick? Share your choice with us in the comments section below.

How to Open DDS Files: Photoshop, DDS Viewer, DDS File to PNG#

What program can open DDS?#

How can I open DDS files?#

1. Add NVIDIA Texture Tools plugin to Photoshop#

Photoshop#

2. Use File Viewer Plus#

3. Use DDS Viewer#

4. Convert the DDS File to PNG#