Both files can be opened using notepad and are found in the crusader kings ii/interface folder.ĬK2 have portraits divided into 8 different categories (12 if you count children), and each category uses it's own set of building blocks as defined by portraits.gfx. The game generates portraits using three sources hard-coded information that we can't change, and information from the files portraits.gfx and portrait_properties.txt that can be modded. This is the reason all kids look alike in CK2. The only exceptions are portraits of children, which are created using a single file per type of child (western male, western female, muslim male and muslim female). Note that the basic head contains facial features of it's own, but those are overwritten by the layers above it, it is merely there to provide a foundation that includes age apropriate features such as wrinkles. Upon this head the game then add everything else by layering images with built in transparency, this includes unique facial features such as cheeks, hair and a nose, as well as things like clothes and headgear. Then there is a generic head, either young, middle aged or old. First there is a background image suitable for the character and his/her current situation. There is room for error in my findings, but I absolutely think that this is (so far) still the most complete set of instructions and conclusions regarding CK2's use of DNA.Īll portraits, be they male or female, consists of the same basic elements, and all those elements are layered to create the final character portrait. Please keep in mind that I am in no way an experienced coder, but using simple logic, a dedicated mod directory for testing and hundreds of restarts can take you a long way. My findings will be presented in the posts below. Through many hours of trial and error I've been able to compile a list of stuff that I now KNOW how to use properly, along with a list of stuff that is either still unclear or simply confirmed as not working. I created this guide because although there are several threads on the subject already, they are spread far apart and the information is often presented as guesswork.

This thread is meant as a guide for those who want to edit the portraits of characters, custom or vanilla.

Ck2 agot dlc portraits