First, I highly suggest you look at the Modding Resources Wiki! The first page will state what you need. I use GIMP and another art program to edit tattoos but you can do it all in GIMP, too.
Here's what I do after I open the tattoo .DDS:
1. In GIMP, go to Colors > Components > Decompose and in the window that pops up, set the Color Model to RGBA and click OK. This will split them into the separate colors, hide the layers you don't want and then edit away! (It will be in black and white, this is normal)
2. When you're done, you need to compose them again: Colors > Components > Compose and in the window that pops up, set the Color Model to RGBA once again!
3. When you export, set the Compression to BC1/DXT1.
To help with alignment:
I think you can use any head texture file as a reference. I have just tried it and seems like the tattoo is placed correctly on it. First, select a tattoo from the grid that you want to edit and copy it, then open head texture and paste it there. You will have two layers, just lower the opacity on the head texture to 20% or what is comfortable for you and place this layer first, but make sure that you are editing the second.
Going off of what matowi3819 said I was able to work out placement, I grabbed a base game character texture (well I grabbed a Shadowheart skin retexture from the Nexus to save myself time looking through files) decomposed it and made every layer but alpha 40% opacity then went new from visible and tiled that layer 8192x8192 and exported that layer as a png once decomposing the tattoo I was able to just drop the png layer over top in 25% opacity and use that to help me work out placement work the textures as needed then delete the png layer and compose, thanks matowi3819 and Alahria :D
Unfortunately not. Unless something changed since I've been away recently, tattoo mods have to replace the same file. However, you can follow the steps in my pinned post to try combining tattoo mods for personal use if you wish.
Thank you, these are great! I also really appreciate your guide on editing tattoos, since that helped me figure out how to edit a makeup file that was looking warped on my Tav's head.
What about just the lip line on the lip? And the lip to the bottom of the chin?
Can you point to me how to edit .dds file to make my mix and match of what I want instead of bothering you?
I want to do a mix and match between your mod and this one: Anime and subtle tattoes but admittedly it feels like too much to ask you to make the combination I want (even though I did, some pointers would be appreciated to not waste too much of your time).
I have created a sticky of a previous post that tells you how you can make your own edits. I don't mind doing the first two (though I need it elaborated a little more ^^;), but I don't want to edit the other mod without permission!
I'm super drowsy right now, but want to thank you for the guide (that I haven't read yet but I will, and I will make an edit!).
So about elaborating for the sake of it. What I meant for the first one was delete all the tattoe except the curvy black line on the bottom lip. It will look like makeup... and with the second thing I meant deleting all the tattoo BUT the mark on the lip going down to the chin. I don't know if any idea will look good, but in my imagination it does.
Also so you know, in case you are browsing nexus like me, there is a mod now that let's you have 2 sets of tattoes. One for player char and one for rest of NPC. Can be found as "custom tattoes" or something.
Hi, sorry to bother but would it be possible for you to make an edit where there is no forehead flame and no flames on the face? kinda just like black neck paint? if not totally okay too!! im just terrible when it comes to modding so i have no idea how to do it myself
The rose edit looks amazing thank you! Cant understand how that broken tattoo made it past QA at Larian as it seems like such an obvious thing for them to have noticed.
Thank you! I was trying to imagine scenarios of how such a mistake would happen, be missed, and, on top of it, make sense... but there's nothing I can think of. It's a mystery for sure!
59 comments
First, I highly suggest you look at the Modding Resources Wiki! The first page will state what you need. I use GIMP and another art program to edit tattoos but you can do it all in GIMP, too.
Here's what I do after I open the tattoo .DDS:
1. In GIMP, go to Colors > Components > Decompose and in the window that pops up, set the Color Model to RGBA and click OK. This will
split them into the separate colors, hide the layers you don't want and then edit away! (It will be in black and white, this is normal)
2. When you're done, you need to compose them again: Colors > Components > Compose and in the window that pops up, set the Color Model to RGBA once again!
3. When you export, set the Compression to BC1/DXT1.
To help with alignment:
A majority of this information is on the Wiki, but I have compiled here for you so you don't have to dig for it.
I do not mind making edits to the vanilla tattoos, but I will not make edits of other mods without permission!
Can you point to me how to edit .dds file to make my mix and match of what I want instead of bothering you?
I want to do a mix and match between your mod and this one: Anime and subtle tattoes but admittedly it feels like too much to ask you to make the combination I want (even though I did, some pointers would be appreciated to not waste too much of your time).
So about elaborating for the sake of it. What I meant for the first one was delete all the tattoe except the curvy black line on the bottom lip. It will look like makeup... and with the second thing I meant deleting all the tattoo BUT the mark on the lip going down to the chin. I don't know if any idea will look good, but in my imagination it does.
Also so you know, in case you are browsing nexus like me, there is a mod now that let's you have 2 sets of tattoes. One for player char and one for rest of NPC. Can be found as "custom tattoes" or something.