What is MIME type "image/x-direct-draw-surface"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

image/x-direct-draw-surface is a MIME type that identifies image files used for texture mapping in graphics. It is best known for its role in storing data formats optimized for high-performance graphics rendering in games and multimedia applications. The format is engineered to work directly with graphic APIs like DirectX and is often used to deliver compressed textures that help speed up loading times and reduce memory usage.

This MIME type is primarily seen with files that use the DDS extension. It supports advanced features such as mipmapping and alpha channels, ensuring quality and performance in real-time rendering environments.

• Used for high-performance texture storage in video games
• Optimized for DirectX environments
• Facilitates image compression and efficient memory management
• Supports features like mipmaps and alpha channels for enhanced image detail

For more in-depth technical details, consider visiting resources on the DirectX documentation.

Associated file extensions

.dds

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:

    Content-Type: image/x-direct-draw-surface
  

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:

    <a href="file.dat" type="image/x-direct-draw-surface">Download file</a>
  

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:

    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'image/x-direct-draw-surface');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);
  

Associated file extensions

.dds