I am just starting to try some repaints in FSX and wonder if I can get some advise. I have a program called DXTBmp to convert DDS files for painting in various programs. I prefer to use Xara Extreme. Anyhow, when I finish painting, what kind of DDS file do I convert the BMP file back to? DXTBmp allows me to save as a DDS DXT1 (no alpha), DDS DXT1, DDS DXT3, DDS DXT5, DDS 444-4 (16 bit), DDS 555-1 (16 bit), DDS 565 (16 bit),DDS 888-8 (32 bit), DDS 888-8 (24 bit) DDS 555 15, or DDS 256color??

Also would like to know why when I look at the image in DDSBmp, it looks sharp and clear but when it gets onto the A/C, it looks fuzzy and pixelated. Is this normal?

Here's what the author of DXTbmp, Martin Wright, has to say about FSX repaints:

"Most important thing is to include mipmaps.
FSX won`t display aircraft DDS textures unless they contain mips.
This may upset a lot of repainters as they have spent the last couple of years removing mipmaps to improve appearance" -- M.W.

Check out Martin's forum for more answers As always, thanks to Martin Wright for DXTbmp and all the support he coninues to give us online.

P.S. Save the FSX textures out to the same format they we imported: DDS DXT5 -- works for me. I've tried the DXT3 format but get some transparency issue I can do without   

" I haven't any idea what mipmaps are"

"I have a program called DXTBmp"

May I suggest opening DXTbmp and reading the first screen.

     
Suggested Reading: DXTbmp Help (included with DXTbmp)