dds problem [SOLVED] How to save dds texture files correctly?

[Anuketh]

First of all, I'm using Paint.net.

Second, I'm not a professional, so all of this is new to me. I'll be very grateful if you explain it to me like I was a 5 y/o kid. I have never worked with dds files before.

 

I was told BC7 Linear was for SSE, but I don't have any clue about LE version. Also I was wondering if there's any setting that lets both LE and SE reads the same dds format.

I'm trying to figure out what setting should I pick for tattoo overlays. I don't know if that matters. Is there a difference between overlays with transparencies and body textures?

 

Spoiler

 

Thank you in advance.

[myuhinny]

DXT5 is what is used for LE I don't use SE even though I could as I prefer UNP over CBBE.

[Andy14]

BC1 DXT1 -> No Alpha

BC2 DXT3 -> Alpha but without Alphablending

BC3 DXT5 -> With Alpha and Alpha Blending

 

For Tattoos is DXT5.

But if you want to edit the textures later, also save as ARGB8, as compressed textures (DXT) are not decompressed when you open them with Paint.net

[27X]

1. Never use dtx1 for anything

2. Never use dxt3 for anything

3. use dxt5 or TGA. TGA is absurdly expensive as it 100% lossless, so it should be only used for custom textures you've made yourself, as almost any skyrim texture available has probably been compressed already.

 

4. before exporting any normal map or overlay/alpha save it as A8R8B8G8 or TGA, reopen it as that format and save it as DXT5 if you "have" to compress it. Compressing any normal map will produce artifacts, period, and the same goes for any texture with an active alpha channel, and this even includes BC7 for SSE.

 

You should probably be doing this in GIMP, and using paint.net as a format checker before final texture install on your followers.