Getting Started with PvrExplorer‑Pro: A Step‑by‑Step GuidePvrExplorer‑Pro is a powerful tool for inspecting, editing, and converting PVR texture files commonly used in game development and graphics pipelines. This guide walks you through installing the software, understanding the interface, loading and examining PVR files, making common edits, exporting results, and integrating PvrExplorer‑Pro into a typical workflow.
What PvrExplorer‑Pro does and when to use it
PvrExplorer‑Pro focuses on PVR (PowerVR) texture containers. Use it when you need to:
- Inspect metadata (format, mipmaps, dimensions, flags).
- Preview compressed textures (ETC, PVRTC, ASTC variants supported).
- Convert between formats while preserving alpha and mipmaps.
- Repair or repackage textures for different platforms (mobile vs desktop).
- Batch‑process multiple PVR files for pipelines or asset updates.
Installation
System requirements
- Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.14+ or Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+).
- 4 GB RAM minimum; 8 GB+ recommended for heavy batches.
- A modern GPU and updated graphics drivers for accurate previews.
Steps
- Download the installer from the official PvrExplorer‑Pro website or your authorized distributor.
- Run the installer and follow prompts. On macOS, drag the app into Applications.
- (Optional) Install command‑line tools if you plan to use batch scripts or CI integration. Enable them during setup or from Preferences later.
- Launch PvrExplorer‑Pro and activate with your license key or start a trial.
User interface overview
The main window is divided into panes:
- File browser (left): navigate folders and projects.
- Preview pane (center): real‑time rendered view of selected texture.
- Metadata inspector (right): shows header fields, format, mipmap count, flags, and color profile.
- Action bar (top): common commands (open, convert, batch, export).
- Log / Console (bottom): messages, errors, and progress for operations.
Tips:
- Toggle single/double‑pane view from View → Layout.
- Use the zoom and filter controls above the preview for detailed inspection.
Opening and inspecting a PVR file
- File → Open, or drag & drop a .pvr file into the file browser.
- In the Preview pane you’ll see the texture rendered. Use the exposure and gamma controls to check linear vs sRGB appearances.
- Check the Metadata inspector for:
- Format (e.g., PVRTC2, PVRTC4, ETC2, ASTC).
- Dimensions (width × height).
- Mipmap levels (count and sizes).
- Alpha presence and type (premultiplied vs straight).
- Color profile (sRGB or linear).
- If the preview looks off, toggle the sRGB checkbox to correct color space or force a specific decoding option from the Format menu.
Common edits and operations
Reformatting / converting textures
- Choose Convert → Format and select target (e.g., ASTC 4×4, ETC2 RGBA8, PVRTC4).
- Preserve mipmaps and alpha by checking “Keep mipmaps” and “Preserve alpha” options.
- Use the quality slider to trade off size vs visual fidelity.
Resizing and mipmap management
- Resize: Image → Resize, enter target dimensions. PvrExplorer‑Pro maintains block alignment required by some compressed formats.
- Rebuild mipmaps: Image → Generate Mipmaps (choose filter: box, lanczos, or bicubic).
Alpha handling
- If alpha looks wrong, open the Alpha dropdown to preview just the alpha channel.
- Convert premultiplied ↔ straight alpha under Image → Alpha Tools.
Color correction and adjustments
- Use the Color panel to tweak exposure, contrast, saturation, and gamma.
- Apply sRGB ↔ linear conversions explicitly to avoid double gamma changes.
Exporting and saving
- Save in native .pvr format to preserve original header options: File → Save As → select .pvr.
- Export to other formats (DDS, KTX2, PNG for each mip level): File → Export.
- For engine pipelines, export as KTX2 with chosen supercompression (like Zstandard) if supported by your target runtime.
Filename conventions:
- Include suffixes for format and mip settings, e.g., texture_diffuse_ASTC4x4_mips.ktx2.
Batch processing
- Tools → Batch Processor.
- Add a folder or list of files.
- Choose an operation set: Convert format, Resize, Generate mipmaps, or Rename pattern.
- Configure output folder and filename rules.
- Run and monitor progress in the Console.
Example batch: convert all .pvr to ASTC 6×6 with mipmaps preserved:
- Operation: Convert → ASTC 6×6; Options: Keep mipmaps, Preserve alpha.
Command‑line integration
PvrExplorer‑Pro ships with a CLI useful for automation and CI:
- pvrexplorer-cli convert –input textures/ –output build/ –format astc_4x4 –keep-mips
- pvrexplorer-cli batch –script batch.json
Place CLI calls in build scripts or asset pipelines to automate conversions before packaging.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Preview looks washed out: toggle sRGB/linear and check gamma settings.
- Alpha appears black or invisible: verify premultiplied vs straight alpha setting.
- Conversion artifacts: try a higher quality preset or a different compressor (ASTC vs PVRTC).
- CLI permissions error: ensure the CLI is in PATH and executable permissions are set on macOS/Linux.
Best practices
- Keep a master copy in a lossless format (e.g., KTX2 or PNG stacks) before converting to compressed PVR variants.
- Use naming conventions that include format and mip information.
- Test on target hardware; different GPUs/drivers decode compressed textures slightly differently.
- Automate conversion in CI to ensure consistency across builds.
If you want, I can:
- Provide sample CLI scripts for common pipelines.
- Create a short checklist you can print for artist or engineer use.
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