description |
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This guide will teach you how to create tattoo on modded body, KS_UV and VTK |
Published: Apr 11 2024 by Yggnire, initial guide by Yggnire
Last documented edit: Aug 16 2024 by manavortex
This guide will teach you how to create your own overlay tattoo for either of the texture frameworks, or how to convert a tattoo for a different body mod.
- If you are looking for the body layouts, check converting-between-tattoo-frameworks -> #texture-layouts
The ability to read: mandatory, because I'm not gonna lie — this is gonna be difficult otherwise.
Knowing how to use a drawing software : recommended, because this guide will not cover it. Knowing how to use WolvenKit.
<5 minutes to set up everything
5 minutes - as long as it takes you to create a tattoo that you like
<5 minutes for the import/install
- You have Wolvenkit installed
- A drawing software like Clip Paint Studio, Photoshop or photopea.com
- Some time and patience to create tattoo
{% hint style="info" %} Tattoo mods are load order dependent. You don't need to read the load order page, just make sure to name your mod project correctly. {% endhint %}
Create a Wolvenkit project. Use the following naming schema per framework:
VTK | 00_my_first_tattoo |
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KS_UV | 005_my_first_tattoo |
You have two ways of getting the correct files:
- download the modders' resources from the framework's page
- add the files to your project from the framework you have already installed
The tutorial will walk you through the second:
- Turn on the Mod Browser
- Find the name of the texture that you want to edit on the overlay-list.md page.
- Use the Wolvenkit Search to find the texture(s)
- Add the files to your project by double-clicking on them.
{% hint style="warning" %} If you are trying to convert a tattoo, you need to use the body texture from the framework you want to convert into {% endhint %}
The tattoo frameworks will have the base body texture in the same folder as the overlay files.
- Right-click on your overlay file in Wolvenkit's Project Browser
- Select Copy Relative Path from the context menu
- Paste the relative path into Wolvenkit's search bar
- Delete the file name from the path: you just want to search for the folder
- Add
> .xbm
to the end of your search (with a space!) to limit your search to texture files. - Hit Enter and browse through the files inside the folder: one of them will be the base body texture.
- Use the Export Tool to export the
.xbm
files to.png
.
{% hint style="info" %} Since tattoos are independent from body complexion mods, delete the body texture xbm if you included it as a reference – you're only editing overlays. {% endhint %}
- Switch the project explorer to the raw tab to find the image files.
- You can right-click on one of the png files to open it in the Windows Explorer
It's image editing time! This guide will only give you a rough outline, but make sure to read the red box below.
{% hint style="danger" %} You need to create an overlay, meaning: a transparent layer with only your tattoo that is projected on top of the body texture.
Do not draw on the body texture. {% endhint %}
You can use an image editing software of your choice, as long as it supports alpha transparency. If you don't have one, use photopea.com – it's free and in your browser!
- Optional: Import the body texture as reference
- Import the overlay texture that you want to edit
{% hint style="warning" %} Many people default to 4k or even 8k textures, but consider: this is madness! How often do you press your nose against your V on a 4k monitor?
2k (2048x2048) is almost always enough.
If you insist on making high-resolution textures, please remember people with older GPUs (who suffer from a lack of VRAM), and offer them as an optional download. {% endhint %}
- Create a new layer above the skin texture and start drawing your tattoo :
You can now draw on the transparent layer (again, do not draw on the body texture).
If you are converting a tattoo, you will have move individual parts around instead.
{% hint style="info" %} If you split off parts on a different layer, you don't need to worry about mistakes - you can always merge layers later! {% endhint %}
When your tattoo is complete, uncheck the eye on the skin layer
Your project should look like this: Your tattoo and no background
Let's export the tattoo. A detailed tutorial can be found under #editing-a-texture.
{% hint style="warning" %}
It's important that you overwrite the exact file that you exported from Wolvenkit (the .png
file in your project's raw folder from step 3).
{% endhint %}
Now you need to import your file back into Wolvenkit. You have two ways to do that:
- Overwrite the png that you created in step 3.1
- Open the Import Tool and import your png
- You're done
- Save your new tattoo anywhere on your PC as a
.png
file. - In Wolvenkit, open the .xbm file by either double-clicking the file, or clicking the blue icon
<figure><img src="../../../.gitbook/assets/image (289).png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
- Switch to the "Texture Preview" tab
- Right click on it and select
Replace Texture
. Choose the file you have saved.
Install your mod by clicking the green Play button in the toolbar. Time to go in-game and admire your new tattoo!