Convert KDC to BLP

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KDC vs BLP Format Comparison

Aspect KDC (Source Format) BLP (Target Format)
Format Overview
KDC
Kodak RAW

Kodak consumer camera RAW format.

Lossless Raw
BLP
Blizzard Texture

A proprietary texture format developed by Blizzard Entertainment for their game engines. BLP (Blizzard Picture) stores compressed texture data using DXT/S3TC or palette-based encoding with optional mipmaps. Used extensively in World of Warcraft, Warcraft III, and StarCraft II for game assets.

Lossless Standard
Technical Specifications
Color Depth: 12-bit
Compression: Kodak proprietary
Transparency: No
Animation: No
Extensions: .kdc
Color Depth: 32-bit RGBA (DXT1/3/5 or palette)
Compression: DXT/S3TC or JPEG-based
Transparency: Yes (DXT3/DXT5 alpha)
Animation: No
Extensions: .blp
Image Features
  • KDC: Kodak proprietary encoding
  • 12-bit: color depth
  • Extension: .kdc
  • Transparency: No
  • Animation: No
  • Kodak: RAW format
  • DXT1/3/5 GPU compression
  • Palette-based encoding (256 colors)
  • Built-in mipmap chains
  • JPEG-based compression mode
  • Alpha channel support
  • Optimized for Blizzard game engines
Processing & Tools

KDC processing:

# Read KDC with rawpy
import rawpy
raw = rawpy.imread("photo.kdc")
rgb = raw.postprocess()

BLP creation:

# Convert to BLP
img.save("output.blp", "BLP")
Advantages
  • KDC Kodak RAW quality
  • Kodak proprietary compression
  • Widely supported in its category
  • Established format ecosystem
  • Professional tool support
  • Native format for Blizzard games — no conversion needed in-engine
  • Compact file size with DXT compression
  • Pre-generated mipmaps for rendering performance
  • Direct GPU loading in supported engines
  • Standard format for WoW/WC3 modding
  • Two compression modes (DXT and palette) for flexibility
Disadvantages
  • May require specific software
  • Limited web browser support
  • Not universally compatible
  • Format-specific limitations
  • Conversion may be needed for sharing
  • Proprietary — limited tool support outside game modding
  • Not viewable in standard image viewers or browsers
  • Limited to Blizzard game engine ecosystem
  • DXT compression introduces quality loss
  • No HDR or wide-gamut support
Common Uses
  • KDC native applications
  • Professional workflows
  • Format-specific tools
  • Industry-standard pipelines
  • Archival storage
  • World of Warcraft textures and UI elements
  • Warcraft III custom maps and mods
  • StarCraft II game assets
  • Blizzard game modding community
  • Game texture distribution
Best For
  • KDC native workflows
  • Professional editing
  • Format-specific tasks
  • Industry applications
  • Archival purposes
  • Blizzard game texture creation
  • WoW addon and mod development
  • Warcraft III map modding
  • Game asset pipelines for Blizzard titles
  • Batch texture conversion for game mods
Version History
Introduced: Kodak RAW
Status: Active
Introduced: 2004 (Blizzard Entertainment)
Current Version: BLP2 (WoW TBC+)
Status: Active (Blizzard games)
Evolution: BLP0 (WC3, 2002) → BLP1 (WoW Classic, 2004) → BLP2 (WoW TBC+, 2007)
Software Support
Image Editors: Various
Web Browsers: Varies
OS Preview: Cross-platform
Mobile: Varies
CLI Tools: Pillow, ImageMagick
Image Editors: BLP Lab, BLPConverter, GIMP (with plugin), Photoshop (with plugin)
Web Browsers: No browser support
OS Preview: Windows (with tools), limited on macOS/Linux
Mobile: No
CLI Tools: BLPConverter, Pillow, ImageMagick (limited)

Why Convert KDC to BLP?

Converting KDC to BLP enables your images to be used as Blizzard game textures in World of Warcraft, Warcraft III, and other Blizzard titles. Kodak consumer camera RAW format.

Game modders, texture artists, and WoW addon creators need BLP format to import custom textures into Blizzard game engines. Converting from KDC ensures your artwork is compatible with the game's texture pipeline.

Our converter automatically encodes your KDC image into BLP format with appropriate compression settings. The conversion preserves image quality while creating a file that Blizzard game engines can load directly.

BLP supports both DXT-compressed and palette-based modes. For best results, ensure your source image dimensions are powers of two (256x256, 512x512, 1024x1024) as game engines typically require this.

Key Benefits of Converting KDC to BLP:

  • Game Ready: Direct import into Blizzard game engines
  • WoW Compatible: Works with World of Warcraft texture system
  • DXT Compression: GPU-optimized compression for fast rendering
  • Mipmap Support: Automatic mipmap generation for LOD
  • KDC Source: Preserves quality from Kodak RAW format
  • Mod Distribution: Standard format for sharing game mods
  • Free & Online: No software installation required

Practical Examples

Example 1: Creating Custom WoW Textures

Scenario: A modder converts KDC artwork to BLP for use in WoW.

Source: custom_shield.kdc (2 MB, 12-bit)
Conversion: KDC → BLP (512x512)
Result: custom_shield.blp (128 KB, DXT compressed)

✓ Game-ready texture format
✓ Efficient GPU compression
✓ Direct WoW engine import
✓ Preserved visual quality

Example 2: Building a Warcraft III Mod

Scenario: A map maker converts KDC assets for Warcraft III.

Source: unit_portrait.kdc (1.5 MB)
Conversion: KDC → BLP (256x256)
Result: unit_portrait.blp (32 KB, palette mode)

✓ WC3 engine compatible
✓ Small file size
✓ Palette-based encoding
✓ Fast in-game loading

Example 3: UI Addon Development

Scenario: A WoW addon developer converts KDC icons to BLP.

Source: addon_icon.kdc (500 KB)
Conversion: KDC → BLP (64x64)
Result: addon_icon.blp (8 KB)

✓ Native WoW UI format
✓ Alpha transparency support
✓ Compact addon size
✓ Professional quality

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How does KDC to BLP conversion work?

A: Our converter reads your KDC image, processes the pixel data, and encodes it in BLP format compatible with Blizzard game engines.

Q: What BLP version is created?

A: BLP2 format is generated, compatible with World of Warcraft (Burning Crusade and later) and other modern Blizzard titles.

Q: Do I need to resize my image first?

A: For best results in game engines, use power-of-two dimensions (256x256, 512x512, 1024x1024). Our converter accepts any size.

Q: Is alpha transparency preserved?

A: KDC does not support transparency, so the BLP will have no alpha channel.

Q: Can I convert BLP back to KDC?

A: Yes, use our BLP to KDC converter. Note that DXT compression in BLP may have reduced quality.

Q: What compression does BLP use?

A: BLP supports DXT1 (no alpha, 4:1), DXT3 (sharp alpha, 4:1), DXT5 (smooth alpha, 4:1), and palette-based (256 colors) compression modes.

Q: Can I use BLP in non-Blizzard games?

A: BLP is a Blizzard-proprietary format. For other game engines, use DDS (DirectX) or the engine's native texture format.

Q: How large will the BLP file be?

A: BLP with DXT compression typically produces files 4-8x smaller than uncompressed formats. A 1024x1024 RGBA texture is about 512 KB in BLP DXT5.