You need to patch se4 to the latest Version.
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/downloa...patchgold4.exe
The imagemod packs only need to overwrite the minis (planets.bmp, or components.bmp, etc) the individual portraits will be unique.
Which packs you need depend on the mod, but you might as well get them all now so you're set for any mod.
The imagemod packs are designed to be placed over your original image folders.
They DONT change any of the original images, just add on to the number you have.
And by placing them in over the original images ALL the mods can use them and you only ever need one copy.