More about BLP to SPI (Image converter)

BLP to SPI: Converting BLP Files to Photoshop Shapes (SPI) Format

BLP and SPI are two distinct image formats that serve very different purposes in the world of digital graphics. BLP (Blizzard Picture) is a format that originated within Blizzard Entertainment's game development ecosystem, while SPI (Photoshop Shapes) is a file format used by Adobe Photoshop to save vector-based shapes used in graphic design. Converting a BLP file to SPI is not a common task, but it may arise in certain specific use cases, particularly when working with game assets and integrating them into graphic design workflows that involve Adobe Photoshop. In this article, we will discuss how to convert BLP to SPI, the reasons behind such conversions, and the tools you can use to complete this task.

What is BLP?

BLP (Blizzard Picture) is a proprietary image format used primarily by Blizzard Entertainment for storing textures, sprites, and other visual assets in its games, such as World of Warcraft and StarCraft. The BLP format is used to handle the various texture maps for 3D models and other in-game objects. BLP files are similar in structure to other image formats, but they may include additional metadata and data compression techniques optimized for use within Blizzard's game engines. BLP files are commonly used for both 2D and 3D graphics, and although the format is not as widely supported as others (such as PNG or JPEG), there are tools available to read and convert BLP files into more standard image formats.

What is SPI?

SPI (Photoshop Shapes) is a format used by Adobe Photoshop to store vector-based shapes. Unlike raster images (such as BLP, JPEG, or PNG), vector graphics are based on mathematical equations that define shapes, lines, and curves, allowing for infinite scalability without loss of image quality. SPI files contain vector-based design elements that can be used in Photoshop for creating scalable and editable graphic assets. These shapes are often used for logos, icons, and other design components that need to retain their sharpness and clarity at any size. Photoshop Shapes are typically created within Photoshop itself, but converting other formats, including raster images, into SPI shapes can be useful for certain projects.

Why Convert BLP to SPI?

Converting BLP files to SPI format might seem unusual, but there are some valid reasons to perform such a conversion. Here are a few scenarios in which you may need to convert BLP to SPI:

• Game Asset to Graphic Design Workflow: If you are working on a project that involves assets from Blizzard games (e.g., textures or sprites) and need to integrate these assets into a design created in Adobe Photoshop, converting the BLP files to a more compatible format such as SPI could be necessary.
• Vectorization of Raster Textures: In some cases, you may wish to convert raster textures (like those found in BLP files) into vector-based graphics to maintain scalability and editability. While converting BLP directly into a vector format like SPI is not a straightforward task, the process may involve extracting the textures, converting them into vector shapes, and saving them as SPI files.
• Design Modification: Converting BLP images to SPI format might be helpful when you need to modify the design elements of a game texture in a non-raster format for graphic design purposes, such as resizing, color adjustments, and other design modifications without sacrificing quality.

How to Convert BLP to SPI

Converting BLP to SPI is not a simple, one-step process due to the nature of both formats (raster vs. vector). BLP files store image data in a rasterized form, while SPI files store vector-based shapes, so direct conversion isn't possible. However, with a few intermediate steps, you can achieve the desired result. Here’s a general guide on how to convert BLP to SPI:

1. Extract the BLP Image Data

Since BLP is a proprietary format used primarily in Blizzard games, you first need to extract the image data from the BLP file. You can do this using a variety of BLP conversion tools available online. Some popular options include:

• BLP2PNG: A simple tool that can convert BLP files into more standard formats like PNG, JPEG, or BMP.
• WoW Model Viewer: If you are working with assets from World of Warcraft, the WoW Model Viewer allows you to extract game textures and save them in standard image formats.
• BLP2TGA: Another tool designed to convert BLP files into the TGA (Targa) format, which is widely supported by most image editing software.

After extracting the image from the BLP file, you will have a standard raster image file, such as PNG, JPEG, or TGA, which you can then proceed to edit and convert into a vector format.

2. Convert Raster Image to Vector Format

Now that you have extracted the raster image, you can convert it into a vector format. This step is essential because SPI files are vector-based, not raster. To convert your image into a vector format, you can use a tool like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Here’s how to do it:

• Open the raster image (PNG, TGA, etc.) in Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape.
• Use the “Image Trace” feature in Illustrator or the “Trace Bitmap” feature in Inkscape to convert the raster image into vector paths.
• Adjust the tracing settings to ensure that the vector shapes match the original image as closely as possible.
• Once the tracing is complete, fine-tune the paths, colors, and shapes as needed.
• Save the file as a vector format (e.g., SVG, EPS) to preserve the vector shapes.

At this stage, you have a vectorized version of your original BLP image, but it still isn’t in SPI format. You can now proceed to the final step.

3. Export as SPI (Photoshop Shapes)

Once you have the vector version of the image, you need to import it into Adobe Photoshop. Since Photoshop does not natively support the SPI format for saving files, you need to manually create a Photoshop Shape file. Here's how you can do it:

• Open Adobe Photoshop and create a new document or open an existing one.
• Import the vector file (SVG, EPS) into Photoshop using the “Place Embedded” option.
• Convert the imported vector paths into a Photoshop shape layer by right-clicking on the layer and selecting "Convert to Shape."
• After converting the paths to shapes, go to the "Paths" panel, where you can save the shapes as Photoshop Shape files.
• Finally, export the shapes as a .PSH file (Photoshop Shapes format).

At this point, you will have successfully converted a BLP image into a Photoshop Shape (SPI) format, ready for use in Photoshop and other design projects.

Conclusion

Converting BLP files to SPI format requires several intermediate steps due to the differences between raster and vector image formats. First, you must extract the image data from the BLP file, then convert the raster image into a vector format using software like Illustrator or Inkscape. Finally, import the vectorized image into Adobe Photoshop, convert it into shapes, and save it in the SPI format. While this process might seem complex, it is an effective way to bring Blizzard game assets into the world of graphic design. By following these steps, you can ensure compatibility between your game assets and Adobe Photoshop’s powerful vector-editing tools.