NBA 2K23 Portrait Info Needed

[BoogieLXX]

Hey All,

What a rabbit hole to fall down!! So I decided to start tackling replacing all the portraits/bodyshots in 2K23 that need to be replaced for whatever reason, and a few questions have come up that I'm hoping someone out there can answer.

1. Is there a specific dimension for portraits/body shots that's recommended? Portraits I've downloaded for reference, have a range from 512x512 to 1024x1024. I've only seen body shots so far at 1024x1024, but in all honesty, I've only been playing around with portraits as of this moment...(Exported game files are at 512x512-portraits & 1024x1024 body shots)

2. I've downloaded a few CFID lists for the ease of "who's who" and "plucking" out the correct files in 2K Explorer, but I've found both sources I have, have some flaws. Is this a known issue or maybe a difference due to game version or something else I'm unaware of? For instance, Mike Dunleavy CFID 903&1959 on both lists. Pics I've "plucked" under CFID 1959 NBA 2K23, is Paul George...which according to the lists should be 1810.

3. the TXTR file within the chr_rXXX.iff file, can anyone explain what the parameters are inside this file and what they pertain to? Specifically what are the "barebone" parameters needed for this file when one is updating portraits, and any knowledge of what they do or pertain to, would be helpful...

4. Probably getting past myself on this one but....With players(rookies mostly) that are created players, is there a way to access them to update portrait/body shot etc? I haven't played around there yet, but was thinking with 2K23 tools to give an unused CFID, but the more I think about it, probably not...Anyway, if there's any knowledge out there, please enlighten me.

I'm totally new to the modding side, I'm just trying to get a grip on how things work within modding NBA 2K.. Any and all insight is greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!!

[Bassman58]

I'm no pro at making these files. I've made a few for myself.
1) Go with the dimensions that the more prolific modders use otherwise stick with the 2K defaults. The sizes also depend on your source image and the quality you want.
2) CFID can vary for one player. Depends on the roster you use. Most use the default 2K IDs. If it's for your own use then use whatever you want. There is a father/son named Mike Dunleavy. Could be the reason. If you are releasing the files stick with defaults. Even then 2K is not consistent. I have found CFID and portraitID to be different for the player. Some players have multiple CFIDs due to their different looks through the years. Think Kareem with goggles and/or hair or Rodman with different hair.
3) ex)
"chr_g1013": {
"Width": 512, --- width of DDS image
"Height": 512, --- height of DDS image
"Mips": 10, --- mipmaps used for different zoom levels
"Format": "BC3_UNORM", --- format of DDS image
"Min": [ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 ], --- effects colors
"Max": [ 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 ], --- effects colors don't know how might be shades
"Mask": 4294967295, --- ?
"HeaderSize": 128, ---?
"Binary": "chr_g1013.2daf2244f42639c6.dds" -- must match the name of the DDS file
}
-----------------------------------
THIS IS THE MINIMUM NEEDED LINES (I THINK MIPS CAN BE DELETED too) delete the unnecessary lines (using Notepad++) this will allow you to use non default image sizes and save formats

"chr_r4419_a1": {
"Mips": 10,
"Min": [ 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 ],
"Max": [ 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 ],
"Mask": 4294967295,
"Binary": "chr_r4419_a1.dds"
}
4) For rookies use the 2K roster for the CFIDs. I stick with the same number for the portrait/bodyshot if it hasn't been defined by 2K.
ex) if CFID = 10999 then
headshots = chr_r10999_a1.iff (action or bodyshot)
portraits = chr_g10999.iff

Of course use unused IDs. Search your mods folders 1st. Check any folders you may have created using 2K Hook. I make a "test" folder for my work in progress so I don't muck up any other files.

[BoogieLXX]

Thanks Bassman58!! Pro enough!! Great info, truly appreciate it!!

May have a follow up question or two, have to experiment as you sparked some ideas..Thanks again!!

[BoogieLXX]

After some testing, I'm finding that unless there's an existing file for X,Y or Z player, that you've exported via 2K Explorer, your outta luck.. Could anyone confirm please?

I tried creating those "missing" files,Tyrese Maxey(9820) in 2K23 for example. chr_g9820.iff, no export file, no go. However if I create a file for Joel Embiid (4090, I think it was), which has a corresponding "export" file, of course it works, likewise if I create a file with an unused ID and push the ID's in 2K Tool.

If this is the case, is there a way to access those files, or to save the ID changes in 2KTool so they'll permanently access the modded "new id "file (ex. chr_g60001.iff)??

[Bassman58]

You can use any other existing player as a base. Just rename the file to the new number. Remember to change the binary entry.
"Binary": "chr_r4419_a1.dds"
Replace the old player image with the new image. Save as a DDS and import in to the new IFF file. Use 2KTool to change/add the new portrait ID. Then save your roster.
Here's a tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usehjX4tO-k

[BoogieLXX]

Can I get an UGH!! lol

Bassman58, thanks again for the response, and the link..The link, however, is what started all these questions in the first place. lol..Anyway, I've got the "process" down, & I think where the confusion was coming in and continues to, was the roster, or how it's "handled by 2K & the Hook...

[Bassman58]

Here's another tutorial. It may help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8m_wHKR7xE&t=32s

[BoogieLXX]

Bassman58, thanks again for the reply..I've seen that one as well, but thank you anyway for the effort...

One quick question, here's the scenario...you, specifically you, have just created or updated X, Y, or Z player's portrait, head shot, or action shot...(irrelevant which one) so chr_g1411.iff or chr_r1411_a1.iff is ready to go...You've copied it over to the mods folder, you start 2K23, hook initialized, you're "mod ready".. Here's the question, when you save the roster (Features-Create Roster) do you A: use the "Official Roster" or B: Use a User Generated roster.

I ask, as I've confirmed when we "mod" or update/change the player shots, we're making changes to or "modding" the actual "2K Official roster" ,(or whatever version of it the game gives you upon each start of 2k23.)so when I went to save, it only made sense to use the "Official" roster. However, (always a however lol) when using that selection, some of the updates didn't work, but using User Generated does...Any info you've got is appreciated..Thanks!

[Bassman58]

You can use any roster you want. 2K official, shuajota, 2kspecialist all have free up to date rosters (for the current version). You can also download rosters on 2K share. There are others available on discord and facebook sites but some are payware. 2K will not have up to date rosters for old versions of the game. They will also shutdown the servers @18 months after the newer game is released.
You can download any roster and name it anything you want. So for 2K23 download a roster and save it. Then load it again and make your edits with 2K tools then save. Make any other change you want, move players, add players, edit attributes or signatures. It's your roster do whatever you want. I don't know how up to date any 2k23 rosters are. If you are looking to have a 2024-25 roster you may have to do a lot of editing.
I only play offline so I create custom rosters and use these for Myleague. Remember that any editing using 2ktools is specific to just one roster. If you add portraits you may want to edit multiple rosters.
For 2k23 the "official roster" is the one shipped with the game. You can download the "latest official roster" from 2kshare and then save it. Just to clarify.

[BoogieLXX]

What an introduction to modding..I'm making a 24-25 roster, with I think 2KSpecialist's 24-25 roster as a base, with the latest info available from NBA.com & various other sites, for 2K23 of course, as well as replacing all head shots with custom shots,(what was I thinking 5 teams down, 25 to go lol..) Now that I've got it working and streamlined, it should move faster..

In case you were wondering why I asked how you specifically saved your rosters, I was experiencing issues with my changes/updates appearing. I checked everything, format, naming, etc all good, should work..Some would show up, some not. Did X, Y, Z comparisons only difference I could find was the size of my DDS files...1Mb vs 2K's 100kb-270kb, but even that theory got blown to hell, as I downloaded Oldmangame2K's roster with portraits etc for comparison, and his DDS files are around 1.4Mb. So I don't know what the heck was going on, but it's working now!! (knock on wood lol) Also, you stated,

If you add portraits you may want to edit multiple rosters.

I've been finding as long as the players exist on X , Y, or Z roster, whether it's the Official 2K roster, or any for that matter, the new or modded head shot is what's used. I assumed the hook told the game the mods folder overrides the main 2K files... should this not be working this way? I figured at one point, I had to have some "funky" stuff going on over here lol... Anyway, once I get this done, on to cyberfaces...I've got to get my mug back in the game since I don't play MyCareer anymore...Any advice or tips on that front??? I've seen bits and pieces on youtube, but so far nothing from start to finish...but that's for another day..Thanks for taking the time, it is appreciated!

[Bassman58]

Any files in the mods folder override the 2K files. The size of the portraits usually doesn't matter on a newer PC. The size of the file depends on the quality and resolution of the DDS image. The game resizes the image. I don't know the optimal resolution. If Oldmangame2K's files work for you then that's good. For current players you should be able to find good source photos. The stars are easy, the players who play less are harder to find. Trying to stretch a low quality image will reduce the overall quality. Sometimes you have to use a smaller image that you can delete the background from. You have to decide if it's worth your time to spend editing a difficult to remove background.
I don't do any 3D editing so I don't make cyberfaces. Blender is used by most. Check YouTube for tutorials. Your other choice is to pay someone to make a personal cyberface. You can also use the create a player feature. People do make some decent celebrity CFs on YouTube. Depends on if you want your mother to be able to recognize your CF.

There are many sites for creating rosters.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c ... Conference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2 ... ansactions
https://www.nba.com/
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/injuries/
https://hoopshype.com/
https://www.positiveresidual.com/shiny/ ... ng-charts/
https://perthirtysix.com/nba/player-shot-chart