Overview
Cosmetic mods (mods that add new eye colours, hairs, skin tones, etc) to be used by your character are not compatible. This means that, if you install more than one cosmetic mod at the same time, you won't see the resources added by all of them in the Dragon Age character creator unless you make them compatible first.
This tutorial will explain how to install more than one cosmetic mod for Dragon Age making all of them compatible so you can access the resources they add from the character creator.
Required tools
- Notepad or another tool that allows edition of txt files
How the character creator works
Dragon Age character creator looks for the resources (skintones, eye colours, hairs, hair colours, etc) in a xml called chargenmorphcfg.xml. The character creator will show you only the resources that are listed in that xml file.
Most cosmetic mods add their own chargenmorphcfg.xml file that contains the vanilla respurces plus the ones added by the mod. But, if there is more than one chargenmorphcfg.xml file in your Dragon Age override folder, the game won't know which one is the right one to be used and the character creator won't work properly. That is the reason why, when installing more than one cosmetic mod, you will have to add the resources the new mod adds to the lists in the chargenmorphcfg.xml file that is in your override folder.
- Notes
- * If you are installing cosmetic mods that add resources used by NPCs, and you don't want them for your character, you don't need to edit the chargenmorphcfg.xml as this file is only used by the character creator. But, if the mod adds a new xml file, delete it or your character creator will probably won't work as you want it to.
- * If you are installing a mod that adds tattos made for the toolset modifying the chargenmorphcfg.xml won't work. Refer to this tutorial Using custom tattoos with Dragon Age character creator instead.
You can also use the recently updated and improved: CharGenMorph Compiler, made by TerraEx, to combine the '.xml' files from multiple mods automatically. More information about this utility can be found here: Using Dragon Age Mods for Dummies. But, if this tool doesn't work for you or you would prefer to make the changes manually, don't worry. You can edit the chargenmorphcfg.xml using any txt editor (e.g. 'Wordpad' works well with this file format.)
chargenmorphcfg.xml structure
Open the chargenmorphcfg.xml and you'll see that it has several sections. Each section begins with a tag like this: <section name> and ends with a tag like this: </section name>. Some sections have also subsections for each of the races in game to indicate that some resources are available only to some of the races and genders and not to all of them.
The xml file has the following sections:
- <heads>: contains the list of preset faces that are loaded in the character creator. All presets end with a *.mop extension.
- <hairs>: contains the list of hairs that are loaded in the character creator. There is a subsection for each of the races and genders that you can use to create your character in game.
- <beards>: contains the list of beards that are loaded in the character creator. It contains subsections only for human male and dwarf male.
- <hair_colors>: contains the list of hair colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <skin_colors>: contains the list of skintones that are loaded in the character creator. * <eyes_colors>: contains the list of eye colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <eyes_makeup_colors>: contains the list of eye makeup colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <blush_makeup_colors>: contains the list of blush makeup colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <lip_makeup_colors>: contains the list of lip colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <brow_stubble_colors>: contains the list of eyebrow and stubble colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <crew_cut_colors>: contains the list of the scalp colours that are automatically assigned to your character when you select a hair colour.
- <tattoo_colors>: contains the list of tattoo colours that are loaded in the character creator.
- <tattoos>: contains the list of tatoo files that contains the individual tattoos that you will be able to select in the character creator.
- <skins>: contains the list of complexions that are loaded in the character creator.
The actual resources (hairs, eye colours, skintones, etc) are listed in each section or subsection like this: <resource name='resource file name'/>
Adding new resources to the chargenmorphcfg.xml file
If the mod you are installing already has a chargenmorphcfg.xml file:
- change its name to another name (like NewChargenmorphcfg.xml) and open it using Notepad in one window.
- Open your chargenmorphcfg.xml in another Notepad instance.
- Compare your xml file (chargenmorphcfg.xml) and the one from the mod (NewChargenmorphcfg.xml in the example) and copy all the <resource name='name of the resource'/> lines that are in the NewChargenmorphcfg.xml and not on your xml file, each one in its right section and subsection.
- Save your chargenmorphcfg.xml file
If the mod you are installing doesn't have a chargenmorphcfg.xml file:
- Open your xml file using Notepad or any other txt editor.
- Locate the section you want to modify: if you are adding new hairs, go to the <hairs> section, if you are adding new eye colours go to the <eyes_colors> section, and so on.
- If the section you are going to modify contains subsections, like in the case of the <hairs> section, locate the subsection of the race you are adding the hairs to: if you are adding hairs for human female characters, locate the <human_female> subsection that is between the <hairs> and </hairs> tags.
- Look at the mod files and add as many <resource name='name of the resource'/> entries as files added by the mod, replacing 'name of the resource' by each file name.
- Save your chargenmorphcfg.xml file
Retrieved from 'https://wiki.nexusmods.com/index.php?title=Installing_cosmetic_mods_for_Dragon_Age&oldid=3808'
The first time I played Dragon Age: Origins was on the Xbox and I had a hard time getting into it because of the crappy graphics. Well, I recently tried the PC version and discovered that OMFG THE GAME IS AMAZING WHEN YOU MOD IT TO DEATH! I highly encourage a playthrough with these mods if you haven’t done so already. Here is my list of the 31 best mods you never knew you needed (but now you can’t live without):
9 Mods for Better Gameplay
1. JB3 Textures
This mod gives HD textures to the whole game and makes DA much more beautiful. If you only download one mod, this should be it.
2. Dragon Age Redesigned
This mod redesigns over 500 NPCs in the game to make their appearance better. You can choose to change them based on Lore (characters redesigned to fit their races better) or Aesthetics (characters redesigned to be more attractive) or a combination of both. It also includes an optional Morrigan morph that makes her look more like her original face model (ie. super gorgeous).
3. Skip the Fade
Ugh, I hate the Fade. If you’re like me and just want to get on with the story, this is the perfect mod for you. It allows you to skip the boring parts of the Fade and go directly to your follower’s dreams and then fight the demon with all the Fade transformations already unlocked. You also get all the item drops using this mod, too!
4. Lock Bash
This lets any class unlock chests using strength or magic. This is great because I find the Rogue class rather useless in DA and hated having to take one with me.
5. Extra Dog Slot
Let’s you take your Mabari war hound as a 5th companion. Super useful.
6. Madd Gift Guide
You know when you have a gift in your inventory and have no idea who to give it to? This mod solves that problem by listing the appropriate gift receiver in the item description.
7. No Helmet Hack
This hack makes your helmet invisible unless you’re in a battle. Crucial if you want your character to look anything other than ridiculous during conversations.
8. Advanced Tactics
This mod expands your options for follower tactics so that you can improve your battle strategy. Super useful and allows your followers to make more intelligent tactical decisions.
9. Auto Loot Mod
Automatically adds items to your inventory when you’re looting – saves so much time and effort!
3 Mods for Better Character Customization
1. Pineappletree’s Vibrant Colors
Adds a bajillion new color options when customizing your character’s looks.
2. Hairstyle Day
![Dragon Age Origins Hairstyle Mods Dragon Age Origins Hairstyle Mods](/uploads/1/2/3/7/123717426/658083225.jpg)
Someone ported some beautiful hairstyles from The Sims to Dragon Age and they look great!
3. Whiten Teeth
Tired of your character looking like they’ve been chewing on dirt? This mod fixes the teeth for every character in the game.
7 Mods for Better Romances
1. Ser Gilmore NPC & Morph
This mod is amazing! It allows you to add Roland Gilmore as a follower (he is in the Cousland intro if you don’t remember him) and includes fully voiced banter and conversations, as well as the option to romance him. This mod is super well-done and feels as complete as any built-in follower storyline/romance. I like to pair it with the Handsome Ser Gilmore Morph to make the character better looking, because his default is a little homely :) You should also download Ser Gilmore’s First Night for a touching romance scene when you finally sleep with him.
2. Improved Romance Scenes
This allows you to do other things with your LI besides kiss them or have sex with them. You can give them a hug or spend quiet alone time under a tree and stuff – you know, normal things you would do IRL.
3. Better Sex Cutscenes
Bioware is a master at delivering epic romances … with awkward sex scenes. This mod allows you to change those sex scenes according to your taste for the explicit – you can choose from medium, mild and zesty (you can guess which one I picked!). NSFW
4. Rendezvous at the Tavern
Allows you to do more sexy times with your LI at the Gnawed Noble Tavern in Denerim – NSFW
5. More Options at the Pearl
Allows to do more sexy times with a whole range of NPCs at the Pearl in Denerim – literally, dozens of strange combinations that are often quite funny – super NSFW
6. Dahlyialynn’s Sleep Until Dawn
This mod allows you to sleep with your LI or Mabari in camp and wake up the next morning to daylight. Morphology and syntax tools for analyzing the world?s languages. Lots of cuddling involved in this one.
7. Realistic Look for Natural Bodies
This mod allows you to choose nude options for your character and followers – way better than the default granny panties or the standalone Natural Bodies mod. My favorites are the Theseus mod for men and the Seductress mod for women (if you opt for full nude, you can even choose what cup size you want for women and what penis size for men!).
3 Mods Just for Fun
1. Dance Party
These dances are hilarious! This keeps in the Bioware tradition of super awkward dancing and there are dozens of different combinations you can see.
2. Slap Morrigan
Sometimes Morrigan can be a bitch and sometimes I just want to slap the shit outta her. Someone out there made a mod to make my dreams come true.
3. A Little Leg
This makes all armor in the game a little more revealing to the degree of your taste. I like this mod because it’s not over the top sexual – it provides just the right amount of eye candy.
9 Mods for if You Love Alistair
1. Alistair Morph
This is the perfect mod if you want to enhance Alistair’s good looks without altering his fundamental appearance. Very subtle but makes all the difference.
2. A Hero’s Sacrifice
This adds a scene if your Warden/Alistair kills the Archdemon and dies.
3. Alistair’s Funeral & Funeral Kiss
Dragon Age Origins Hairstyle Mods
This adds a much need funeral scene if Alistair kills the Archdemon and dies. The kiss version adds a scene where Alistair imparts a goodbye kiss at the Warden’s funeral if she dies after killing the Archdemon.
4. Dahlialynn’s First Night
Makes taking Alistair’s virginity super special :)
5. Last Night
If you choose not to do the Dark Ritual, Alistair will spend the night with your Warden instead.
6. The Proposal
If you choose to make yourself queen during the Landsmeet, Alistair will properly propose to you after the Coronation.
7. Dahlialynn’s Alistair Nightmare
This mod works in conjunction with the Sleep Until Dawn mod – if you go to bed in camp with Alistair a second time, he will awake one night with a nightmare – beautifully edited and emotionally charged scene that fits seamlessly within the main storyline.
8. Dahlialynn’s The Royal Wedding
This mod shows the Warden and Alistair’s wedding during the Epilogue – a gorgeous and lengthy production :)
9. Dark Ritual
This mod adds a scene between Morrigan and Alistair when it’s time to discuss the Dark Ritual. Quite touching on Alistair’s end.