DXTBmp 4.00.96

Microsoft Flight Simulator is both the longest-running series of Microsoft's software products as well as the most long-lasting game series spanning from 1982 to 2006. Apparently, Microsoft has shutdown the studio that has been producing the game back in 2009, thus making the Microsoft Flight Simulator X the last of its series. With almost one hundred thousand fans that signed a petition accompanying the support letter for its developers, it's safe to say that the game doesn't lack a numerous yet thoughtful community.

The provided game SDK (software development kit) makes it possible for users to start their engines and get creative while building aircraft models, setting up AI traffic or designing scenery. A single aircraft in MSFS (or FS – short for Flight Simulator) comprises the model, the textures, the sounds, the panel and the FDE (Flight Dynamics Engine). Textures are also an important part in the scenery creation process. Hence, the need to manipulate these specific textures.

DXTBmp provides FS fans with 8/16/24/32 bit and DXT Extended manipulation for Flight Simulator 2000 and above. It also supports Combat Flight Simulator 2 and 3. As the 2000 version of the game introduced various new texture formats, alongside transparency variations. You can load Extended Bitmap, DDS textures or Targa with Alpha files as well as any other compatible and convertible file type. Additionally, the supported save formats bring the ACE DXT1 texture to the table.

The applications packs a minimalistic interface with a common menu bar and a bottom placed button bar. The right panel hosts the Alpha Channel while the vast area that covers the left and center sections holds the texture loading zone. Initially, the default image editor is set as Microsoft Paint tool. You can change that and select your favorite image editor by accessing the `Prefs` menu, `Select Editor` option. This menu also allows you to hide the `Toolbars` and the `Alpha Channel` division.

You can send the currently loaded textures to the editor and then reload them after the editing process finishes within the `Image` menu. Besides that, you may also want to perform image flipping and mirroring with the optional inclusion of the alpha channel. Playing a major part in texture composition, the alpha channel receives a special fully-packed menu with various options such as import, export, create, template, flip or mirror. Once the texture is edited, you can take a peek at the modified texture from the `Preview` menu.

DXTBmp has one and only purpose – to help FS texture editors reach their goal by allowing them to quickly and easily design new content for the Flight Simulator community. Its supported array of formats as well as the tools it brings along makes this application a must when needing to fulfill your editing desires. Bottomline is that you can't overlook DXTBmp if you are one of those nearly one hundred thousand FS fans who signed that petition in 2009.