Project Afternight custom icons: Setup Guide & Tips

Project Afternight custom icons are an earned customization feature rather than a default menu option. To unlock access, build progress through 50 unique song Full Combos, commonly described in-game as UFCs. A song only contributes when it meets the listed note-count requirement, so short charts may not advance the icon milestone.

The requirement encourages consistent chart completion across the game’s wide song selection. Because the milestone is based on unique songs, repeating the same chart does not provide the same progress as clearing another eligible song. Track your completed charts carefully and prioritize songs that you can finish reliably with a Full Combo.

Video Highlights:

• The visual workflow focuses on creating a custom icon for Project Afternight.
• The feature uses a three-state icon arrangement rather than one isolated portrait.
• Image preparation is the key step before attempting an upload.

A sensible route is to begin with charts that match your current accuracy and stamina. Once your reliable options are exhausted, expand into moderate-difficulty songs instead of immediately forcing the hardest available charts. This reduces wasted attempts and makes the 50-song target easier to monitor.

The custom icon system uses three visual states: neutral, losing, and winning. These states correspond to the player’s performance condition during a song. Instead of uploading three separate files, prepare one horizontal image strip with each state placed beside the next.

The supported structure is similar to the icon arrangement used by Psych Engine. The reference format allows an image from 150x150 pixels up to 450x150 pixels. At the smallest size, the strip can contain three 50-pixel sections; at the largest size, it can contain three 150-pixel sections. For practical editing, a 450x150 canvas gives each state the most room.

For a dependable setup, divide the canvas into three equal panels:

1. Left panel: Neutral expression or standard pose.
2. Center panel: Losing expression, damaged pose, or worried reaction.
3. Right panel: Winning expression, confident pose, or celebratory reaction.

Use strong contrast between the character and background. Tiny facial details can disappear when the icon is displayed beside a health bar, so prioritize clear eyes, mouth shapes, hair outlines, and recognizable color blocks.

Avoid placing important features directly on panel boundaries. Leave a small visual margin around the face or character so the neighboring state does not appear connected. If the design includes text, keep it short and large enough to remain legible at the smallest display size.

Once the unlock requirement is complete, prepare the image before opening the upload interface. A finished file is easier to review than an experimental sheet with uneven panels or missing states.

The upload stage should be treated as a test pass, not the end of the design process. Watch for issues such as a neutral image appearing in every condition, a losing panel being too similar to neutral, or artwork that is clipped at the edge. Keeping the original layered file makes corrections faster.

If the icon does not look right immediately, simplify it before adding more effects. Heavy glows, thin outlines, and complex backgrounds often compete with the character when the image is displayed at a small scale.

Custom icons are most effective when they communicate a reaction instantly. The player usually sees the icon briefly, so a strong silhouette and clear expression matter more than highly detailed rendering.

Use the same character proportions in all three panels. A consistent head position helps the states feel like one set, while expression, eye direction, mouth shape, and pose provide the necessary variation.

A practical three-state design can follow this pattern:

• Neutral: relaxed face, standard pose, balanced colors.
• Losing: lowered eyes, open mouth, sweat marks, cracks, or a defensive pose.
• Winning: raised eyebrows, smile, sharp eyes, sparkle accents, or a stronger stance.

Do not rely only on color to communicate the state. Some players may not distinguish small color changes quickly, and the interface may reduce the visual impact of subtle shading. Facial expression and pose should carry the main difference, with color used as support.

A clean layout also makes future revisions easier. Keep each state on its own layer, use guides for equal panel widths, and retain a transparent or simple background version. This approach lets you adjust expressions without rebuilding the whole sheet.

Use the checklist below to organize both the unlock grind and the final upload. It separates progress requirements from visual quality checks, helping prevent a technically valid but difficult-to-read icon set.

When tracking Full Combos, record the song title and whether it meets the note threshold. This avoids confusing a successful run with a qualifying run. If the game’s interface provides a progress indicator, use it as the final confirmation rather than relying only on a manual count.

For more project context, consult the Project: Afternight entry on Funkipedia Mods Wiki. Treat community pages as reference material and check the in-game interface for the latest presentation of customization options.