Please note that I’ve made this tutorial using black tattoos as an example. I will be making a tutorial for color tattoos later as the process is a little bit different. Thanks!
First things first, here’s a list of things you’ll need for this tutorial:
A .DDS plugin for Photoshop which you can download here.
Sims 4 Studio, download here. You need to register if you haven’t already.
Body textures, you can find them here.
A photo that you’ll use for the tattoo.
Before we start, just a quick word on what kind of photos I like to use for my tattoos. I tend to avoid photos of tattoos already tattooed on somebody as the end result will not be that good. You will get the best results if you use a photo of a black tattoo design/drawing on a white background! I like to just search for different drawings on Google, for example I found the tattoo I’ll be using in this tutorial by searching for flower drawing. :) Other words I like to use are tattoo design and tattoo idea.
Open Sims 4 Studio. Choose Create CAS Standalone and click on CAS.
Choose Tattoo from Part Type. Find one that works for your tattoo and click Next.
This is what comes up. Click Export and name and save the DSS file.
In Photoshop, open the DSS file you just saved. It should look something like this. Right click the Gradient Tool and change it to the Paint Bucket Tool. Make sure the color is black and paint the Background layer so it’s all black.
This is how it should look like after using the Paint Bucket Tool.
Open up the photo you’ll be using for your tattoo. Go to Select > Color Range.
This window comes up. Click on a white spot and then choose OK.
Your photo should look something like this. Don’t click anywhere on the photo yet. Instead, right click the background layer and choose Layer From Background. After that, press the delete button on your keyboard or use the trash can icon on the right hand corner of Photoshop.
All the white should now be gone and we’re left with just the tattoo itself. Yay! Press CTRL + A and then CTRL + C.
Open up the body texture. I’ll be using the female version for this one. Press CTRL + V. Your tattoo should now be on its separate layer but oh boy it probably looks like shit as you can see from #1. I feel like this is the part a lot of people struggle with so here’s the solution! Make sure you’ve selected the layer with your tattoo (Layer 1). Then, click on the little icon next to Lock (#2). The one that I’ve underlined. It’s called Lock Transparent Pixels. Now, use a black brush (select Brush Tool or press B) and paint over your tattoo...
... and tada! It’s looking sooooo much better. Depending on the tattoo, I usually reduce the opacity just a little bit so it’s not as intense but it’s all up to personal preference. You can find Opacity above the layers. Just play with it to see how you like it :)
Next, click on the Background layer (#1). Then, create a New Layer above it by clicking on the paper icon (#2). Use the Paint Bucket Tool (#3) to paint the new layer black.
Go back to the layer with your tattoo on it (Layer 1/the on that’s on the top) though please note that right now you won’t be able to see it as it’s a black tattoo on a black background. Make sure you’ve got the Lock Transparent Pixels icon still selected and use a white brush to paint over your tattoo.
Press CTRL + A and go to Edit > Copy Merged.
Go back to the .dss file we edited first. Go to Channels (#1) and then select the Alpha layer (#2). Press CTRL + V and it should look something like the image above.
Go to File > Save as and make sure it’s saving as a D3D/DDS. If not, select it from the drop down list. Click Save and this window should come up. If it’s your first time saving a DDS file, choose DXT5 ARGB 8bpp / interpolated alpha from the list. Click Save.
Go back to Sims 4 Studio and click Import. Find the DDS file you just saved and open it.
Your tattoo should now show up on the sim! It’s probably not exactly where you wanted it to be or maybe it’s too dark, so go back to Photoshop and edit it for your liking :) This is the part which I have to repeat multiple times and I hate it haha! If you’re happy with how the tattoo looks like, just click Save and remember to put the .package in your Mods folder!
There you go! If you have any questions ask away! Hope you enjoy making tattoos for you sims :)
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