In this Daz3D Creating a Tattoo tutorial we will be learning how to create stunning realistic tattoos and how to apply them to our genesis characters. The job is very simple and straightforward, only requiring some knowledge from graphic tools like Photoshop or GIMP. But far from being difficult, in a matter of minutes you will have an impressive tattoo ready to boost the quality of your renders.
For the purpose of this tutorial I will be using my Genesis 8 male character Steven.
Steven Character, Clothing and Hair Bundle by Raiya
Pick a Good Tattoo Picture!
There are many great websites where to look for unique tattoo designs, I highly recommend these two sites, they both offer free and premium designs to use.
I decided to go for this one shown in the picture.
Snake entwined with skull – Dgim-Studio
You can always create your own tattoos. Remember to save them as PNG format files (with transparent background).
Applying the Tattoo in Daz Studio
To apply our tattoo we will use and edit three texture maps: skin base map, bump map and specular map. In other articles we have covered what texture maps are, in case you are not familiarized with them, learn more here.
Back to the tutorial, we will use Photoshop for fast and good results. You can also follow these instructions using GIMP, which is free to use (you can download it here) or any graphics editor.
First of all, we will find and locate our maps inside the texture folder. You can check the directory by browsing in the Surface pane of the model selected.
I decided I will apply a tattoo to the torso texture map. I go to the folder where the textures are stored and I locate the three maps I will use (color, bump and specular).
In most cases bump has somewhere in the title name “_B” and specular “_S”. Once found, I copy the content in a new folder along with the tattoo image.
Daz3D Base Map
Open your base map in Photoshop. Create a new layer and import your tattoo image. If there is any background, proceed to remove it by using the magic eraser tool or by setting the layer profile to “multiply” to visually remove white areas.
Next, place and scale your tattoo to the desired size. Click and hold Shift for proportional scaling.
You can also change the opacity level to make it more realistic, with a washed-out effect (84% in my case).
I recommend adding a thin redness contour for the scar and using the blur tool to soften sharp edges.
- To add the scar contour double click in the small tattoo layer thumbnail. Check Bevel & Emboss and follow as shown in the image with outer bevel option on, also apply red highlights and shadows in multiply mode.
Save as JPG.
Daz3D Specular Map
Open the specular map in a new layer. For this map we will desaturate the tattoo image. In Photoshop, Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.
We will blend the tattoo with the skin texture. In order to do that, we will turn opacity to around 30%. We can also apply brightness & contrast adjustments to blend it further so it does not look so shiny in the final render.
Save as JPG as well.
Bump Map
Now open the bump map. For this map we will keep our tattoo desaturated but we will now turn opacity back to 100%. We want it ideally dark enough so it creates some 3D level over the skin. The darker, the more the tattoo seems to stick out.
Save as JPG and we are done.
Back to Daz Studio
We will replace the default maps with our custom ones.
- Go to the surface of the area to replace and apply the new base maps in the Base Map slot and Translucency Color as well.
- The new specular map should be applied in the Dual Lobe Specular Reflectivity slot.
- The bump map should go in the bump map and in the displacement strength slot (0.2 recommended value).
Our tattoo is ready. You can always make it even more realistic by darkening some white areas.
Daz3D UV Tattoos!
LIE Fae Tattoos – Genesi 3 & 8 Female
To create cool UV Tattoos, we only need to go a little further (but not that much) by creating two additional maps.
Emission Maps
For the first map, we will keep our last project open and re-paint our design. We want brighter neon colors that will stand out better in the dark.
You can use the Hue & Saturation parameters to create such a palette. After that, save a JPG, this will be our new base map.
For the Emission Color map, we just need to fill with a black background and save as a new JPG image file. In this map we will define the emissive color (clearly) for each of the tattoo base colors. The dark area remains unaffected.
Now for our third and final map, we will make an alpha texture by just applying a solid white color to our tattoo. This map is called Luminance Map and understand that areas in white reveal light.
To apply this solid color, just click in the layer thumbnail for the tattoo and check Color Overlay.
- In Daz, apply the first map in the base map slot.
- The second map goes in the emissive color slot. Also change the parameter to white. You can try and test changing the color to other than white to get a tint in the tattoo and experiment with many light colors.
Do not worry about the preview in the viewport. It won’t affect the final render.
- The third map goes in the Luminance slot. Change the Luminance Unit to Kcd/m^2. From here you can regulate the intensity of the UV tattoo’s light. Here we go!
Daz Tattoo Products You Might Be Interested In
In case you don’t have time to follow the Daz3d Creating a Tattoo tutorial, you can also directly purchase some great Daz Tattoo products. Here a short overview of tattoo articles.
HD Face Burns AddOn for Genesis 8 Females
LIE Tattoo Presets 2 Bundle for Genesis 3 and 8
Asian SkinWorks L.I.E. Tattoos – Genesis 3 & 8 Female
Other Uses
By following these same steps, you can apply decals to t-shirts and even to skateboard decks, electric guitars or apply them as magnets on a fridge, maybe? Stay creative and take advantage of these tips which work for all kinds of surfaces. Here are some other products you can use to intervene with your art.
Apply Decals to Guitars! Electric Guitar Collection for Genesis 8 and Genesis 3
Customize your skateboards and create unique skatepark art – Urban Skateboard
Some walls look empty, why not paint some cool graffiti? Urban Backstreet
Conclusion – Daz3D Creating a Tattoo
That was quite fun Daz3D creating a tattoo tutorial! In simple, fast steps we created an additional layer of customization that comes in very handy in the actual output render. Every custom detail we can incorporate to the final scene will help us express better our own style and as result, stand out. Remember to fill your scenes with amazing details and make them look always a little bit more attractive. Keep it cool!