Starbound Change Character Appearance Mod Work [BEST]

| Problem | Likely Fix | |---------|-------------| | Mod doesn’t open UI | Enable admin with /admin | | Changes don’t save | Exit and rejoin single-player world | | Wrong hair/color options | Mod may not support your race – check workshop page | | Character gets invisible or glitched | Re-equip armor, then restart game | | Multiplayer: other players see old look | Re-log or re-enter the planet |

A vanilla Starbound character is locked into its original look forever—but thanks to the modding community, you never have to delete a high-level character just because you want purple hair or a different hairstyle.

Whether you prefer a simple mirror object or powerful admin commands, appearance change mods work reliably and safely as long as you avoid mid-game species swaps. Install one, craft the item, and enjoy the freedom to reinvent your space explorer at any time.

Happy exploring – and looking good while you do it.

, there is no built-in "magic mirror" or NPC that allows you to change your character's base appearance (hair, skin color, gender) once the game has started. While there are cosmetic clothing mods, changing the core character requires either specific engine-modifying tools or manual save editing. How to Change Character Appearance

Since a standard mod cannot easily trigger the character creation screen mid-game, players use the following workarounds:

StarExtensions Mod: This is the most popular modern solution. It modifies the game's .dll files to provide an in-game character editor.

How to use: Install the mod and type /editor open in the in-game chat.

Pro-tip: It may reset your current cosmetic clothes, so it's recommended to unequip them before editing.

Manual Save Editing: This method involves "unpacking" your character file, editing the JSON data, and "repacking" it.

Unpack: Use the dump_versioned_json tool found in your Starbound win32 folder to turn your .player file into readable text.

Edit: Open the new file with Notepad++ and search for "identity" to change hairType, hairColor, or skinColor.

Repack: Use make_versioned_json to convert the text back into a format the game can read.

Third-Party Save Editors: Tools like starcheat allow you to edit your character’s appearance via a standalone application, though they may require updates to work with the latest game versions. Interesting Review: "CuteBound"

One of the most highly-rated appearance mods is CuteBound, which overhaul character sprites.

Visual Change: It replaces the vanilla humanoid sprites with a more "anime-style" look, featuring larger eyes and detailed hairstyles.

Community Consensus: Reviewers on the Chucklefish Forums frequently call it their "favorite, most used mod," noting it makes the game feel fresh even if you aren't a dedicated anime fan.

Compatibility: Some users have noted minor "weirdness" with specific race/hairstyle combinations (like Glitch male eyebrows), but it is generally considered a "must-have" for appearance overhauls. starbound change character appearance mod work

These tutorials and reviews provide step-by-step guides for changing your character's look and showcase popular cosmetic mods:

Unpack: Use the dump_versioned_json.exe utility found in the Starbound win32 or win64 folder to convert the binary file into a .json file. | Problem | Likely Fix | |---------|-------------| |

Edit: Open the JSON in a text editor like Notepad++. Search for terms like "hairType", "bodyColor", or "name" to change their values.

Repack: Use make_versioned_json.exe to convert the JSON back into a .player file. 💡 The "New Character" Workaround

If mods or file editing seem too risky, you can transfer your progress to a new character: Create a new character with the exact appearance you want.

Visit your old character's planet or ship and drop all your items into chests for the new character to pick up.

Ship Files: You can rename your old character's .shipworld file to match the UUID of your new character to keep your ship's layout.

If you'd like to try the manual editing method, I can provide the exact command lines for the unpacker tool. Would you also like to know how to find your character's unique ID (UUID) to make sure you're editing the right file?

How do I change my race and appearance in a game that has started?

You can find it on Github, latest release is from Oct. * mcplano. • 1y ago. StarExtensions has an in-game character editor. Type / Reddit·r/starbound Character Editor - Starbound

, character appearance is hardcoded into your save file, meaning there is no "Barber Shop" or built-in menu to change your look mid-game. Most players use external tools or save file editing to achieve this. 🛠️ Option 1: Using Mods (Easiest)

While standard Steam Workshop mods can't easily edit your save, certain "extensions" add this functionality directly to the game.

StarExtensions: This is widely considered the best tool for this. It allows you to reopen the character creation menu in-game. Command: Once installed, type /editor open in the chat.

Note: It is recommended to unequip your clothes first, as the editor might reset cosmetic slots.

OpenStarbound: An alternative engine for the game that includes a /run player.setSpecies("race") command and other identity-changing tools. 📁 Option 2: Save File Editing (Advanced)

If you don't want to install extensions, you can manually swap your appearance by "borrowing" the data from a new character. 1. Create a "Template" Character

Launch Starbound and create a new character with the exact appearance (hair, colors, etc.) you want for your main. Save and exit the game immediately. 2. Locate Your Save Files Go to \Starbound\storage\player\.

Identify your Main character and your Template character. (Check the "Date Modified" timestamp; the Template will be the newest). Backup your entire folder before touching anything. 3. Use Official Tools to "Unpack" the Save

Starbound saves are binary and unreadable by text editors. You must use the tools in the \Starbound\win32\ folder: Command: dump_versioned_json.exe [MainID].player main.json. A vanilla Starbound character is locked into its

Repeat this for the Template character to get template.json. 4. Swap the "Identity" Data Open both .json files in Notepad++. Search for the "identity" section.

Copy the values for hairType, hairDirectives, and bodyDirectives from the Template to your Main.

Directives are long strings of HEX codes that control your colors (skin, hair, underwear). 5. Repack the Save

Use the sister tool: make_versioned_json.exe main.json [MainID].player.

Replace the old file in your storage/player folder and launch the game. 🎨 Quick Reference: Customization Keys

If you are manually editing the JSON, look for these specific tags: hairType: The sprite name for your hair (e.g., male23). bodyDirectives: HEX codes for skin and underwear color. hairDirectives: HEX codes for hair color. personality: Controls your idle stance.

Introduction

Starbound is a popular sandbox game that allows players to explore, build, and customize their characters. One of the most exciting features of the game is the ability to create custom mods that can change the game's appearance and mechanics. In this guide, we will focus on creating a character appearance mod that allows players to customize their character's look.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

Understanding Character Appearance in Starbound

In Starbound, character appearance is defined by a set of JSON files that contain data on the character's model, textures, and animations. The character's appearance is composed of several components, including:

Creating a Character Appearance Mod

To create a character appearance mod, you will need to create a new folder in the Starbound mods directory. Name this folder with a unique name that identifies your mod.

Does it work? ✅ Yes, flawlessly.
How it works: This is the nuclear option. Universal Uncrafter adds a machine that can disassemble almost any item—including the Locker and Appearance Customizer from other mods. More relevantly, it allows you to transfer gear and pixels between characters.
To change appearance with this mod:

Starbound stores character data in .player files (inside storage/player/). These files contain:

Most appearance mods work by intercepting or modifying this identity data in one of two ways:

  "name": "Custom Character",
  "description": "A custom character appearance mod",
  "version": "1.0",
  "author": "Your Name"

This file provides basic information about your mod.