# How to create an overlay tattoo ## **Summary** **Published**: Apr 11 2024 by Yggnire, initial guide by Yggnire\ **Last documented edit**: Aug 16 2024 by [mana vortex](mailto:undefined) 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. ### Wait, this is not what I want! * If you are looking for the body layouts, check [Texture Frameworks for Player V](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks.md) -> [Texture Frameworks for Player V](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks.md#texture-layouts) ### Level of difficulty **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. ### Estimated Time: <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 ## Prerequisites * [ ] You have [Wolvenkit installed](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/getting-started/download) * [ ] A drawing software like Clip Paint Studio, Photoshop or [photopea.com](https://www.photopea.com/) * [ ] Some time and patience to create tattoo ## Step 0: Setup ### 1: Create a Wolvenkit Project {% hint style="info" %} Tattoo mods are [load order](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/for-mod-users/users-modding-cyberpunk-2077/load-order.md) 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](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/usage/wolvenkit-projects). Use the following naming schema per framework: | VTK | `00_my_first_tattoo` | | ------ | --------------------- | | KS\_UV | `005_my_first_tattoo` | ### 2: Add the right files to your mod 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: 1. Turn on the [Mod Browser](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/asset-browser#mod-browser) 2. Find the name of the texture that you want to edit on the [Overlay textures by framework](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks/overlay-list.md) page. 3. Use the [Wolvenkit Search](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/usage/wolvenkit-search-finding-files) to find the texture(s) 4. Add the files to your project by double-clicking on them. #### Optional: Add the base body texture as a reference {% 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. 1. Right-click on your overlay file in Wolvenkit's Project Browser 2. Select **Copy Relative Path** from the context menu 3. **Paste** the relative path into Wolvenkit's [search bar](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/usage/wolvenkit-search-finding-files) 4. Delete the **file name** from the path: you just want to search for the folder 5. Add `> .xbm` to the end of your search (with a space!) to limit your search to texture files. 6. Hit **Enter** and browse through the files inside the folder: one of them will be the base body texture. ## 3: Export the textures 1. Use the Export Tool to [export](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/textures-and-luts/images-importing-editing-exporting.md) 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 %} 2. Switch the project explorer to the [raw tab](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer#project-explorer-tabs) to find the image files. 3. You can right-click on one of the png files to open it in the Windows Explorer ## 4: Edit the textures 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](https://www.photopea.com/) – it's free and in your browser! 1. **Optional:** Import the body texture as reference 2. Import the overlay texture that you want to edit ### Resizing the textures {% 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 %} 1. Create a new layer above the skin texture and start drawing your tattoo :
## Making changes 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 %} ### Exporting from your graphic editor 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 [Textures: Importing, editing, exporting](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/textures-and-luts/images-importing-editing-exporting.md#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 %}
## 5: Reimporting the texture Now you need to import your file back into Wolvenkit. You have two ways to do that: ### Import Tool 1. Overwrite the png that you created in step 3.1 2. Open the [Import Tool](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/textures-and-luts/images-importing-editing-exporting.md#importing-a-texture) and import your png 3. You're done ### Texture View 1. Save your new tattoo anywhere on your PC as a `.png` file. 2. In Wolvenkit, open the .xbm file by either double-clicking the file, or clicking the blue icon 3. ```
``` 4. Switch to the "**Texture Preview**" tab 5. Right click on it and select `Replace Texture`. Choose the file you have saved. ![](/files/YExVLhWxxzKFJM9Ve5gY) ![](/files/d6MqyexAHTczMLuekWQW) ## Time to test! [Install your mod](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/menu/toolbar#install-and-launch) by clicking the green Play button in the toolbar. Time to go in-game and admire your new tattoo! --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/how-to-create-an-overlay-tattoo.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.