DXT5 and DXT1?

[Modestus]

The diffuse files are DXT 1 (alpha channel) and the gloss and the normal are DXT 5.

I know that the DXT 5 format is good for the Normal and the gloss because the alpha channel stores more information so the accuracy of the compression is greater however for the .diffuse file if you use DXT5 your doubling the size of the file and I think getting little in return.

In general I think that DXT5 is the better format but only if its giving you something in return, not sure in the case of Empires that its worth having your .diffuse file in DXT5

Any experts on these files care to make a comment.

[Modestus]

Looking at this more closely the best quality when saving the file from a psd file is ....

8.8.8.8 ARGB 32 bpp | unsigned

But that increases the .diffuse file to about 5mb and I am not sure what if any return you get from this in the game.

I can say that the resulting .diffuse file is of a much higher quality but not sure if this translates into the game.

[♔KillZoneGB♔]

Hi Modestus

Forget how big the file size are, DX is the compression, all files have to be decompacted once loaded

DX1 and DX5 are 16bit, DX1 is very old, and i`m quite surprised that Empires still uses it
for example 1024X1024X16=6meg (not including the alpha channel)
same size in 32bit comes to about 12meg (not including the alpha channel)

8.8.8.8 ARGB 32 bpp | unsigned has 8 alpha channel compared with DX5(1) which only have one.

using 8.8.8.8 is very nice but is so demanding for current pc`s, unless you have a top notch computer using a USB U3 drive, Hard Disks will be taxed.

Hence the difference between 30fps Fluid and 30fps stutter.

I think its been about 9 to 10yrs since i used DX1, if DX1 was used (no alpha) i would convert it to Use 565 (no alpha).


You can save some memory by removing or editing the MIPS.

go for DX5

[Modestus]

Hi Modestus

Forget how big the file size are, DX is the compression, all files have to be decompacted once loaded

DX1 and DX5 are 16bit, DX1 is very old, and i`m quite surprised that Empires still uses it
for example 1024X1024X16=6meg (not including the alpha channel)
same size in 32bit comes to about 12meg (not including the alpha channel)

8.8.8.8 ARGB 32 bpp | unsigned has 8 alpha channel compared with DX5(1) which only have one.

using 8.8.8.8 is very nice but is so demanding for current pc`s, unless you have a top notch computer using a USB U3 drive, Hard Disks will be taxed.

Hence the difference between 30fps Fluid and 30fps stutter.

I think its been about 9 to 10yrs since i used DX1, if DX1 was used (no alpha) i would convert it to Use 565 (no alpha).


You can save some memory by removing or editing the MIPS.

go for DX5

DXT5 it is so, thanks for that.