DXTbmp - (Alpha) Texture Tool (NWN1 & NWN2)

DXTbmp - (Alpha) Texture Tool (NWN1 & NWN2)

This is a very simple tool to handel alpha channel images (= making parts of the RGB-texture transparent).
It will show the RGB texture in one window and the alpha part in a seperate window.
You can easily export the alpha (or the RGB) to a simple program like "MS Paint", quickly change the amount of grey*, save that image and replace the original alpha by loading the new alpha into DXTbmp.
 

Images can be passed to any Paint program for editing in 24 bit and then re-imported and saved in any of the 16/24/32 bit formats.

Transparency (Alpha) channel of textures can be viewed and edited separately from the main image.

Edit (April 2015):

I just found, it seems that the tool "DXTbmp" is able to create Mip maps, too. (Though I have not tested this feature, yet.)

Just click the "magnifying glass" at the bottom.

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This Version: DXTbmp 4.00.96

-> It's a "portable" version = no installation - just unzip!

Developer: MW Graphics / Martin Wright

OLD site (down) http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm
Working site: http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm

-> Additional info within the ZIP!

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* Alpha for NWN1:
Example - Shiny Armor : If you want to remove the 'shiny' effect you have to edit the alpha channel in the texture. Pure white is 'opaque' to the environment map, and will give you matte textures - pure black is 'transparent' and will give you completely chrome creatures... any greyscale art in between will give varying results, including cool glossy patterns or areas of shiny and not shiny.

Example - Leaves: Black alpha parts will make the texture transparent. These objects are not creatures and thus not "chrome", when the texture is transparent. It's "just" transparent.

-> So, the darker, the more transparent.

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Info: DXTbmp - DDS-save + NWN1:

TGA/DDS Conversion:
DDS saved with DXTbmp-Tool doesn't show up correctly in NWN1 (only completely white).
From DXTbmp save as TGA and then use the Bioware DDS-tool to convert the TGA into a DDS.

http://neverwintervault.org/project/nwn1/other/tool/bioware-dds-converte...

Edit: Additional info on NWN1-DDS:
http://harvestmoonconsortium.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1773&sid=67...
"It is a completely NON-Standard DDS file. IE, nothing but Bioware's own internal tool will read it correctly and/or create one correctly."

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DDS for NWN2 do work!

http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/DDS_Format
DDS files (Direct Draw Surface files) are used for the textures in NWN2.

DXT5 is the recommended dds format for alpha-masked transparency textures, though DXT3 and DXT1,1-bit alpha also work. We use DXT5 because it yields cleaner masking and edge quality for things like plant fronds and grass. The mask goes in the alpha channel of the diffuse texture. Any model utilizing transparency needs to be flagged as such before it is exported. (...)

More info on NWN2, DDS and Mip maps (by 4760) can be found here:

http://neverwintervault.org/article/tutorial/dds-utilities-nvidia-nwn2-m...