DDS (DirectDraw Surface container) is a container format from Microsoft that is popular in game development for storing graphical textures and other pixel-based in-game assets for creating 3D environments in real-time.
As a container format, it can be used to store any kind of information. It can also be used to store photos and Windows desktop backgrounds. There’s a Wikipedia article on it for those of you who want to geek out on the technical details.
Photoshop doesn’t list DDS among its built-in supported file formats, so you’ll need a third-party tool to work with DDS files. The instructions below describe two Photoshop plugins, but compatibility depends on the plugin and your Photoshop version.
This article covers Intel Texture Works and NVIDIA Texture Tools Exporter. Intel’s plugin is a legacy option, while NVIDIA still provides a Photoshop exporter download. Neither should be assumed to work with every recent Photoshop release.
The Intel and NVIDIA plugins discussed here are Windows tools. If you’re on a Mac, or if a Photoshop plugin doesn’t work with your version, see the free alternative at the end.
I also have included a free, open-source alternative that works on both Mac and Windows and is fully updated to run on current OS versions in both cases.
If you want to know about the various uses for DDS files, check out the NVIDIA page I have linked to in section 2. DDS files are mainly used for storing computer gaming environments and textures for models within the environment. On the page, you will find examples with images that showcase what can be done with DDS.
As a photographer, you can create fantastic gaming environments and textures using your photographs.
It does have a learning curve though, so it is better to just start with simple modifications to existing DDS-based environments and elements in a game that you enjoy playing.
Now let’s jump right in to learn how to install and use the Photoshop DDS plugin.
1. Intel Texture Works DDS Plugin By GameTechDev via Github
Compatibility note: Intel’s documentation lists Photoshop CS6 through CC 2015 on Windows, and Intel archived this plugin’s repository in January 2023. The steps and screenshots below are from the older workflow, not instructions verified for current Photoshop releases. I previously used it with CC 2020, but haven’t retested it on newer versions.
Step 1: Download the archived Intel Texture Works plugin. This is a legacy download, so check the documented compatibility before trying it. Intel’s format table lists BC3 (also called DXT5), so the older claim that this plugin lacks DXT5 was incorrect.
Step 2: Make sure you quit photoshop before proceeding.
Step 3: Go into the zip archive and open the plugins folder. Choose Win32 if you are on a 32bit system or x64 if you are on a 64bit system. You can find out which one you are on by going to Settings > About (Windows 10), look at the operating system information.
Step 4: Open a new explorer window and navigate to your photoshop plugins folder. This can usually be found under Program files > Adobe > Photoshop > Plugins (the exact path may be slightly different based on your system configuration and Photoshop version).
Step 5: Now just drag the plugin file from the other window into the Photoshop Plugins folder. You will need to have administrator access to do this. This completes the installation of the Photoshop DDS plugin.
Step 6: There is one more step to be completed before you can start using the DDS Plugin. In the Photoshop window, go back to the main photoshop folder and navigate to Presets > Scripts.
Step 7: On the other window, go up one level and open the Photoshopscripts folder. There are two files here.
Step 8: Drag these two files into the other window where the Scripts folder is open. This will install the associated scripts inside Photoshop.
Step 9: In the older supported workflow, restart Photoshop and use the Intel Texture Works file-format option to open or save DDS files. The original instructions used File > Save As; that is not a promise that the same menu or plugin will work in a current Photoshop release. Intel officially documented CS6–CC 2015 support, and my earlier CC 2020 experience should be treated as historical rather than current compatibility guidance.
2. NVIDIA DDS Exporter Plugin for Photoshop
Compatibility note: NVIDIA lists its Photoshop plugin for Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), an NVIDIA CUDA-capable GPU, and Photoshop CC. Its official page lists release 2024.1. These requirements do not guarantee the plugin loads in Photoshop 2026. One May 2026 forum user reported an issue in Photoshop v27.7, which is not proof of a universal incompatibility.
Step 1: Visit NVIDIA’s official Texture Tools Exporter page and choose the Adobe Photoshop Plugin download, rather than the separate standalone application. Follow the instructions shown on that page. Download and account requirements may change, so the older sign-up screens in this article should not be treated as current.
Step 2: Once you have downloaded the .exe installer file, it is time to quit Photoshop before starting the installation process.
Step 3: Run the installer and confirm that it targets the Photoshop version you’re actually using. If Photoshop does not recognize the plugin, NVIDIA recommends checking that nvtt_export.8bi is in that version’s Plug-ins folder. Different Photoshop versions can have different folders.
Step 4: After installation, launch Photoshop. NVIDIA documents the export option under File > Save a Copy, where the format is labeled DDS – NVIDIA Texture Tools Exporter. You can also check Help > About Plug-ins to see whether Photoshop recognizes it. If the option is missing, that does not by itself establish that all versions are incompatible.
Summary
The NVIDIA exporter may be a convenient DDS option when it loads in your Photoshop installation, but availability depends on the plugin and version. If it doesn’t appear under Save a Copy, check the installation folder and NVIDIA’s guidance before assuming it is supported.
Another older project is AdobeDDS by fnordware. Its previous blog link is no longer a dependable installation guide, and I haven’t verified compatibility with current Photoshop versions on either Windows or Mac. Treat it as a historical option rather than a recommended modern setup.
If you need to open or export DDS files without relying on a Photoshop plugin, GIMP is a free option for Windows and macOS. DDS handling is included with GIMP, so no separate DDS plugin installation is needed. GIMP 3.2 documents DDS export, including BC7.
That’s all about the Photoshop DDS plugin and how to use it. If you are planning to use your own DDS files inside games, do share some screenshots in the comments below. As always, I welcome your questions and promise to answer them all to the best of my abilities. Connect with me on Instagram or just post a comment below.
