# Merging existing tattoos
## Summary
**Published**: Feb 03 2024 by [mana vortex](https://app.gitbook.com/u/NfZBoxGegfUqB33J9HXuCs6PVaC3 "mention"), 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 [converting-between-tattoo-frameworks](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks "mention") -> [#texture-layouts](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks#texture-layouts "mention")
* For a more detailed guide with illustrated steps, check [how-to-create-an-overlay-tattoo](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/how-to-create-an-overlay-tattoo "mention"). You can use that guide for reference.
* If you want additional information, check [converting-between-tattoo-frameworks](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks "mention").
### 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)):
### Expected time to complete:
<1h for total noobs, <15 minutes if you know what you're doing.
## Prerequisites
* [ ] You have [Wolvenkit installed](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/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](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/how-to-create-an-overlay-tattoo "mention")).
{% hint style="info" %}
To see which files you need to edit, check this: [overlay-list](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/converting-between-tattoo-frameworks/overlay-list "mention").
{% 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://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/usage/wolvenkit-projects#create-a-new-wolvenkit-mod-project).
## Step 2: Add the modded files
Switch the [Asset Browser](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/editor/asset-browser#using-the-asset-browser) tab to [Mod Browser](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/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://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/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 %}
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)
2. Re-name the file in your project to e.g. `lowbacktattoo.xbm`
3. Add `v_overlay.xbm` from the second `.archive` file to your project
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](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/merging-existing-tattoos/merging-existing-tattoos-into-a-clean-template "mention").
{% endhint %}
## Step 3: Export for edit
1. Go to [Tools > Export Tool](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/tools/tools-import-export#export-tool). You only need to export three of the files, but you can click `Export All`:
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://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer), switch it to either [source](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer#source) or [raw](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/editor/project-explorer#raw), or just navigate your Windows Explorer to the folder.
## 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 %}
I need a reference!
You can download [Night City Tattoos](https://www.nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/1155?tab=files), specifically the Layout Templates For Custom Tattoos:
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](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/merging-existing-tattoos/merging-existing-tattoos-into-a-clean-template "mention") and export `v_body_d.png`.
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.
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
#### 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.\
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":\
#### 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://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/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://app.gitbook.com/s/-MP_ozZVx2gRZUPXkd4r/wolvenkit-app/menu/toolbar#install-and-launch). Time to test!
And there you have it! Go in-game and admire your new tattoos! :clap:
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](https://wiki.redmodding.org/cyberpunk-2077-modding/modding-guides/npcs/custom-tattoos-and-scars/merging-existing-tattoos/merging-existing-tattoos-into-a-clean-template "mention") and export `v_body_d.png`.
