INSTALLATION AND EXPORTING FACEGENDATA
GENERAL INFORMATION
Freyja replaces all the NIF and TRI files that act as building blocks for the female head appearance (FaceGenData). This means that every NPC, base game and modded, needs their head mesh rebuilt using Freyja's files to benefit from the improved visuals and to display the new animations correctly. In other words, every female NPC needs their FaceGenData exported from within the Creation Kit with Freyja activated. (Info on how to do that are here or here).

Even though I do provide the exported FaceGen data for the base game in the "Optional" files tab and for a few mods in the Freyja - Female Head Mesh Overhaul - Patch Center, because every load order is different, I recommend that you export the FaceGenData for all your loaded mods that add NPCs or alter the appearance of existing ones yourself to prevent any visual problems such as grey faces.

Note: Freyja is meant to be used alongside its sister mod Freyr - Male Head Mesh Overhaul. They pair well together and provide a consistent look for all adult characters. Additionally, it is recommend to also use Comely Coiffures - Vanilla-Style Hair Overhaul.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Download and install the main file.
  - MO2: Place Freyja at the bottom of your load order to make sure that none of its files are overwritten.
  - Vortex: Let it overwrite everything if prompted and make sure that none of its files are overwritten.
  - Manually: Let it overwrite everything if prompted and make sure that none of its files are overwritten.
• Download and install the Base Game FaceGenData from the "Optional" files if you don't plan to export the base game FaceGenData yourself.
  - MO2: Merge it into the mod folder of the main file.
  - Vortex: Let it overwrite everything if prompted.
  - Manually: Let it overwrite everything if prompted.
• Launch the Creation Kit. Load all mods that add NPCs and/or alter the appearance of existing ones.
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• Export the FaceGenData of all female actors (except manakin and children).
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• Manage the newly created FaceGenData by moving the FaceGeom data to the correct location and (optionally) deleting the FaceTint data.
  - MO2: You will find the generated FaceGenData in the "overwrite" folder of your MO2 instance. (If it isn't there, check the Freyja mod folder). Move the "meshes" folder to the Freyja mod folder, if it isn't already there. Do the same for the "textures" folders if you want to use the new FaceTints, otherwise, you can delete them.
  - Vortex: You will find the generated FaceGenData in your game data folder. Make sure that the FaceGeom data (located at meshes/actors/character/FaceGenData/FaceGeom) is not overwritten. If you want to use the newly generated FaceTints (located at textures/actors/character/FaceGenData/FaceTint), you can leave them, otherwise delete them.
  - Manually: You will find the generated FaceGenData in your game data folder. Make sure that the FaceGeom data (located at meshes/actors/character/FaceGenData/FaceGeom) is not overwritten. If you want to use the newly generated FaceTints (located at textures/actors/character/FaceGenData/FaceTint), you can leave them, otherwise delete them.

• Make sure you have the desired texture replacer installed.
  - MO2: Make sure that the texture replacer is activated in the left panel of MO2.
  - Vortex: Make sure that the texture replacer is activated and that your game data folder contains the texture replacer files.
  - Manually: Make sure that your game data folder contains the texture replacer files.
• Navigate to the location where the texture replacer is installed.
  - MO2: Navigate to the the texture replacer mod folder in your MO2 instance.
  - Vortex: Navigate to your game data folder.
  - Manually: Navigate to your game data folder.
• Navigate to the subfolder "female", create a new folder called "original_vampire_textures", and put the "femaleheadvampire.dds" file and "femaleheadvampire_msn.dds" file into this newly created folder.
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• In "female", copy the "femalehead.dds" file and rename the copy to "femaleheadvampire.dds", copy the "femalehead_msn.dds" file and rename it to "femaleheadvampire_msn.dds".
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• Navigate back to textures/actors/character.
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• For the subfolders "bretonfemale", "darkelffemale", "femaleorc", "highelffemale", "imperialfemale", "redguardfemale" and "woodelffemale", repeat step 7 and 8.
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• Navigate to the subfolder, create a new folder called "original_normal_map", and put the "femalehead_msn.dds" file in the subfolder into this newly created folder.
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.
• Copy the file textures/actors/character/character assets/female/femalehead_msn.dds and paste it into the subfolder (not the  "original_normal_map" folder).
  - MO2: No specific instructions.
  - Vortex: No specific instructions.
  - Manually: No specific instructions.