Squishing models/icons

Hi people. As with everyone else, I like importing models to my map (that now I don't have because patch 1.24 killed it permanently). However recently I found a discussion on how models can be compressed or squished. What I got so far is that a model has made by 2 parts:
- texture that is a BLP file.
- something else (I don't get what it is)

There are tools to squish the texture part and tools to squish the "something else" part. Which tools are currently the best for each part?

As for icons, is there a special way to compress them as well? I only know this tool:
http://www.wc3c.net/showthread.php?t=102135

Are there better tools ?

For any BLp, BLP palettizer, it simply rulez...
for models: MDX squizzer. It rulez too...

End of discussion.

Nah, not really.

Maybe I used wrong values, but with BLPaletter I never got lower filesizes for ICONS (might be different for textures!) than with common compression of Warcraft3Viewer.
A well-compressed icon takes about 5-7kb/4-6kb (BTN/DISBTN)

I made very good experiences with the MDX Squisher though, awesome tool.
The models might look slightly different, but not much, usually you won't recognise it.

Warcraf3Viewer uses JPG compression. Paletted BLPs uses GIF-like compression. They DO have a slightly higher size when uncompressed, but they usually compress far better in MPQs than JPG BLPs.

For the reasons Deaod stated, it really was the end of the discussion. You just didn't see it.

Wermmm, so BLP paletizer is the best I guess =)

Yes, by far.

Next stage:
- learn how to use those tools !! xD

that boils down to:
- learn how to use the most primitive shell an OS ever had.

Palleted BLPs don't use any compression. Thus why they are so much larger outside of an MPQ.

Note that Palleted BLPs are limited to 256 colours. Based on the spec, it seems that you can either have 256 colours that include alpha information, or 256 colours plus a full alpha channel, which almost doubles the size of an image.

JPEG BLPs are of course not limited in the number of colours they use.

BLP Lab

Icons are actually about 6 kb BTN and 1 kb DISBTN, once compressed.
The loss in quality is near undetected.
Just use Button Manager located in the tools section here.

Hm, you are right. Not really FAR better (at least for BTNs), but it is indeed better.

Don't BLP Platted icons get messed up under the low quality texture settings in Warcraft?

I never heard of that...and it would be one hell of a lame bug if true. I'll test later...oh shit?!?