Dragon age 2 , about companion armor upgrade ? help FAST !?

So I didn't know this was important. I'm now in act 2. If I haven't done it in act 1, can I go to the same place and still get the upgrading items by merchants ? Or do I have to start from act 1 ? =[

I thought I would just obtain them randomly. =[



In dragon age wiki it says I can obtain from enemies looted items or merchants. So as soon as I pick up or buy the companion upgrade item, does it automatically upgrade the armor ?



How do I know if it's already upgraded ? Do I have like a cinematic thing ? Does the look change ?

Or just the armor ?



I've seen there are like rectangular marks below the armor item. Are those have something to do with upgrading ?Dragon age 2 , about companion armor upgrade ? help FAST !?
You need to use dragon age wiki as getting these is very hard to find. The look changes somewhat. And no you have to upgrade them during that act or you can't get them, I'm sorry. However they're not too important I beat the entire game without ever upgrading them lol.

edelbrock