How to create an overlay tattoo
This guide will teach you how to create tattoo on modded body, KS_UV and VTK
Last updated
This guide will teach you how to create tattoo on modded body, KS_UV and VTK
Last updated
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 Texture Frameworks for Player V -> 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
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.
VTK
00_my_first_tattoo
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:
Find the name of the texture that you want to edit on the Overlay textures by framework page.
Add the files to your project by double-clicking on them.
If you are trying to convert a tattoo, you need to use the body texture from the framework you want to convert into
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
If you split off parts on a different layer, you don't need to worry about mistakes - you can always merge layers later!
When your tattoo is complete, uncheck the eye on the skin layer
Your project should look like this: Your tattoo and no background
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).
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
Switch to the "Texture Preview" tab
Right click on it and select Replace Texture. Choose the file you have saved.
Create a . Use the following naming schema per framework:
Turn on the
Use the to find the texture(s)
Paste the relative path into Wolvenkit's
Switch the project explorer to the to find the image files.
Let's export the tattoo. A detailed tutorial can be found under .
by clicking the green Play button in the toolbar. Time to go in-game and admire your new tattoo!
