Hi I downloaded a custom object to use in a mod. However, the file size is very high, even though it is just a small deco object (44 MB).

What I am trying to do now is to reduce the file size. The object contains many .dds resources, if I understand this correctly then they are textures. I exported them and indeed they are the reason why the file size is so high. In game, they are very detailed. Given that the object is rather small, it is okay for me if the image quality is reduced.

Just for info, if that is important, the poly count of the object is not very high. It's just the textures that are very high quality.

I mostly do script and tuning mods, I don't make any clothes or objects on my own, so I am unsure on how to proceed here? The modder of the object is not active anymore, so I cannot ask them.

Thank you in advance

Two things to look for are image size and compression. Both can be looked at in GIMP (I use) or another imaging program of your choice.

Most images in TS3 use dxt5 compression. That would be multipliers, overlays, stencils, normals maps, detailed rgb masks (3 colors) and all rgba masks (4colors). Speculars and 3 color masks of lesser detail can be dxt1.

Basic image size is 1024 x 1024. Some EA objects use 512 x 512, or even 256 x 256. A few may be 1024 x 512, or 512 x 256.

The size of the image you end up using will depend on your personal tolerance for how much detail you're willing to give up.

Another thing to watch for are unecessary images. Some creators will reuse other work, and not remove old images they aren't using. I recently remade a garment that had 6 or more unused or redundant images, and cut file size by A LOT.

You can quickly resize and/or compress DDS with NVIDIA Texture Tools Exporter.

For example, you can drop the texture file onto the program and change the Format dropdown to BC3/DXT5 or BC1/DXT1 based on the details mentioned above.
If they are larger than 1024x, you can then use the Effect dropdown to apply Resize with a Percent Scale of 50. The new file size will be previewed in the bottom right, so you can see what shaves off the most.

Lastly, if there are unused textures you can clone the object with S3OC and only the resources in use will be included in the new package.