# Merging existing tattoos

## Summary

**Published**: Feb 03 2024 by [mana vortex](mailto:undefined), initial guide by Yggnire\
**Last documented edit**: 18 May 2024 by YoursTrulyBilly

This guide will teach you how to merge multiple tattoos into one.

For this example, we'll be merging two **VTK** tattoos from [Belly Tattoos Pack](https://www.nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/9246) and [Low Back Tattoo Pack](https://www.nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/14557) by [Yggnire](https://www.nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/users/54960262)

### 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)
* For a more detailed guide with illustrated steps, check [How to create an overlay tattoo](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/how-to-create-an-overlay-tattoo.md). You can use that guide for reference.
* If you want additional information, check [Texture Frameworks for Player V](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks.md).

### Level of difficulty: Easy

The guide is extremely detailed and has screenshots for each step!

#### Requirements:

* **The ability to read**: mandatory, because I'm not gonna lie — this is gonna be difficult otherwise.
* **Knowing how to edit images**: recommended, because this guide will not cover it. If you don't know it, the relevant section will tell you what to Google, though
* The following two tattoo mods (kindly provided by [Yggnire](https://www.nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/users/54960262)):

<figure><img src="/files/SlzsIqipeKlxmRmoBAwi" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Expected time to complete:

<1h for total noobs, <15 minutes if you know what you're doing.

## Prerequisites

* [ ] You have [Wolvenkit installed](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/getting-started/download).
* [ ] You have all tattoo mods that you want to merge installed in `Cyberpunk 2077\archive\pc\mod`
* [ ] All your tattoo mods are for the same framework (if not, check the guide about [How to create an overlay tattoo](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/how-to-create-an-overlay-tattoo.md)).

{% hint style="info" %}
To see which files you need to edit, check this: [Overlay textures by framework](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks/overlay-list.md).
{% endhint %}

## Step 1: Create a Wolvenkit Project:

Depending on the supported framework, you need to name your project like this:

| Framework | Prefix | Example name         |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------- |
| KS UV     | 004    | 004\_my\_tattoo\_mix |
| VTK       | 00     | 00\_my\_tattoo\_mix  |

If you don't know how to create a project, you can look it up on the [Wolvenkit wiki](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/usage/wolvenkit-projects#create-a-new-wolvenkit-mod-project).

## Step 2: Add the modded files

Switch the [Asset Browser](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/asset-browser#using-the-asset-browser) tab to [Mod Browser](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/asset-browser#mod-browser) and find the two archives that you want to merge.

You'll have to add `v_overlay.xbm` from inside these .archives [to your Wolvenkit project](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/asset-browser#adding-files-to-projects). Since they'll overwrite each other, read on to find out how to do that.

{% hint style="info" %}
It's best to rename each tattoo after adding to make it easier for you to know which is which!
{% endhint %}

<div><figure><img src="/files/Pmozi8RXYN1KssA4d7SR" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/w79q4vsaoRf9ALxuOSIA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

1. In the asset browser, find `v_overlay.xbm` inside the first `.archive` file and add it to your project (right-click or double-click)

<figure><img src="/files/7lhCFcodndCobg3zJE0t" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Re-name the file in your project to e.g. `lowbacktattoo.xbm`

<figure><img src="/files/4LF9fDEGEohXQA3s8eN8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Add `v_overlay.xbm` from the second `.archive` file to your project

<figure><img src="/files/n8GunAo9mB9PfZGY9PHM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Re-name the file in your project to e.g. `skulltattoo.xbm`
5. Add the file `v_overlay.xbm` again — this will be your final overlay.xbm

{% hint style="success" %}
If you want to merge into a clean template, check [Merging existing tattoos: into a clean template](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/merging-existing-tattoos/merging-existing-tattoos-into-a-clean-template.md).
{% endhint %}

## Step 3: Export for edit

1. Go to [Tools > Export Tool](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/tools/tools-import-export#export-tool). You only need to export three of the files, but you can click `Export All`:

<div><figure><img src="/files/gdBAemGeg3vw83a5JTQu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/ecTToYcixSrFuTd2yYvB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

2. You can now find the exported .png files in `source\raw\base\v_textures\body`. Time to look at them.
3. If you can't see the files in the [Project Explorer](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer), switch it to either [source](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer#source) or [raw](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer#raw), or just navigate your Windows Explorer to the folder.

<figure><img src="/files/wOtHdDI1tNES0nLNY1Iw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step 4: Photoshopping

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't have photoshop, you can use [photopea.com](https://www.photopea.com/) in your browser for free!
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>I need a reference!</summary>

You can download [Night City Tattoos](https://www.nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/1155?tab=files), specifically the Layout Templates For Custom Tattoos:

<img src="/files/zOKYAMaOcn4qxcVsRiRt" alt="" data-size="original">

Once downloaded, open the file named **LayoutTemplate\_tattoo\_body\_\_customisation.psd** and drag\&drop both of your tattoo files inside.

If you need the body texture as a reference, check [Merging existing tattoos: into a clean template](/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/merging-existing-tattoos/merging-existing-tattoos-into-a-clean-template.md) and export `v_body_d.png`.

</details>

1. Open `lowbacktattoo.png` in Photoshop.
2. Drag-and-drop the second file (`skulltattoo.png`) into your open tab.
3. **Optional:** If the pictures aren't the same size, use the `W`: box at the top of the file to scale it up or down.

<figure><img src="/files/oAff2Js6mbN3PDCZDoAr" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. If your added file has been pasted as a smart object, rasterize it by right-clicking on the layer in the Layers palette
5. Merge the layer down on the base layer

<figure><img src="/files/32Fl11vxj0naVpKmaKcV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Fixing the transparency

We have one last thing to do before we can import our file back, and that is **fixing the transparency**. Don't worry, we'll do it step-by-step:

1. Ctrl+click on the thumbnail in the layer palette. This will select everything, considering transparency.\
   ![](/files/2ABJeOz8SDxapNVBLr4c)
2. Find the `Channels` palette. It should be right below your Layers palette, but if it's not, you might have to turn it on via **Window -> Channels**
3. At the bottom of the Channels palette, click the "Save selection as channel" icon. This will create "Alpha 1":\
   ![](/files/2Ytrst7uA3EVED8Pp1g7)

#### Exporting

1. Select File -> Export -> export as png
2. Overwrite `v_overlay.png`

## Step 6: Importing into Wolvenkit

1. Return to WolvenKit, and open the [Import Tool](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/tools/tools-import-export#import-tool)
2. Find and select v\_overlay.png
3. In the sidebar, make sure that `Transparency from alpha channel` is checked
4. Import!
5. Check the files in Wolvenkit. They should have changed.
6. Delete all files that aren't `v_overlay.xbm`, since we don't need them anymore.

## Step 7: Testing the mod

1. Make sure that **no other tattoo mods** are installed — or there's a chance that you'll get to see those, rather than your new edit.
2. [Install your mod](https://wiki.redmodding.org/wolvenkit/wolvenkit-app/menu/toolbar#install-and-launch). Time to test!

<figure><img src="/files/EFutfMrN1FfD51B5zebL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

And there you have it! Go in-game and admire your new tattoos! :clap:


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