DirectDraw Surface File
General Information
| Title | DDS File Extension |
| Extension | .dds |
| Full Form | DirectDraw Surface File |
| File Type | Raster Image File |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| MIME Type | image/x-dds |
File Function
| Primary Function | Texture storage |
| Additional Functions | Environment maps, Depth maps |
| Features | Compression, Mipmaps |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | Yes |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Video Games | Yes |
| 3D Modeling | Yes |
| Simulations | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Validate format, Scan for malware |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Late 1990s |
| Latest Update | DXGI 1.2 (2012) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .bmp, .tga, .png |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Adobe Photoshop |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
 GIMP |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 Paint.NET |
Free | Windows |