Charas-Project
Game Creation => Requests => Tutorials => Topic started by: Zerlina on June 27, 2008, 06:56:56 AM
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Finished:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/greenabsinthe/bnichinew.png)
Images (Step by Step)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/greenabsinthe/stepbystep.png)
Alright, so you wanna make uber cool battlesprites.
...why the hell are you asking me?
Just kidding.
I'm going to teach you how to make battlesprites in whatever style suits you. (For this tutorial the examples are in my style, but it's applicable to anything).
For this method you'll need:
Minor artistic talent
A scanner
Paper and Pencil
Photoshop
In photoshop you'll need to know-
basics (layers etc)
channels[/b]
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST BCHAR START HERE
Alright, so the first thing you'll need is a dummy. This is going to be the most useful tool for making your bsprite, so make sure you do this well. Use circles for the joints and sausages for each limb (upper arm, lower arm, hands, thighs, calves). Separate the hips and the torso. The neck and the head should also be outlined seperately.
When you're finished, scan it into photoshop.
In a newfile, create a new channel and paste your image into it. Go to Image>Adjustments>Invert. Click the dotted circle. Create a new layer, and use black paint bucket to fill it in.
YOu should now have a layer with only your black outline. The next part is kind of tedious. using the polygonal lasso tool, select each seperate part of the body I mentioned before (each upper arm, each lower arm, each hand etc) and paste them into their own seperate layers. Drag each part over the original guideline until it fits perfectly over the part it was copied from. When you're done, you should have an image which looks identical to the one you began with, but has each body part in a seperate layer.
Now that you've done this, you can begin posing by using the free transform tools to position each part of the body. Use reference photos, old paintings, or anything you can think of to help you with the pose if you get stuck. When you're finished, create a new 48x48 file.
Now, is where the pictures posted above come into play, so try to follow along.
Image 1-As you can see in the first image, I have my resized and posed dummy. I'll zoom in on the next steps so it's easier to see.
Image 2- Draw the outling of your figure on a new layer. It's okay if it's rough. Right now you just need the basic shape.
Image 3- select the magic wand tool, and check the box which says "continguous." Click on the insides of your figure. If your figure is seperated in some parts (like mine is) hold down the shift key while you do this. When you've selected everything, fill it in with skin colour.
Image 4- duplicate the layer with the outline and hide one of them. In the visible layer, use the magic wand tool and fill it in with the same colour as your skin.
Image 5- Begin shading in the figure in a new layer. Even if you won't show much skin, still shade it. If you're at a loss as to what colour to use as a shadow, set the layer to multiply, then adjust the opacity until it looks right to you. For more muscular characters, make sure to accentuate their muscles. Too many shadows and highlights will loook harsh on a slight character, so try to use bigger brushes.
Image 6- Duplicate your outline layer, and hide one of them. Lower the opacity of the other, and erase anywhere you won't require a bit of an outline. In this case, I've left the outling on the arms.
Image 7- Add highlights, finish shading. It's a good idea to make any anatomy changes at this moment. Make a character stockier or thinner, or fatter etc. Remember, your sprite is small, so you'll have to exaggerate to get your point across. This bchar is actually a bit wider than it should be. This is because it allows me to exaggerate the character's strength and well-groundedness.
Image 8- Open up your regular walking sprite and paste it next to your bchar as a reference.
Image 9- Draw each article of clothing on a new layer. Outline, and fill. It's the easiest way to do it, and won't look too bad later. If you're at a loss as to how to make your bchar's costume, go to websites that have pictures from similar eras as the setting of your game. Think about where your character is from, what weapon they're using, what their personality is. It's best to keep things simple, and to use contrasting colours. Since the sprites are small, it's easier to tell body parts apart from each otherif the colours vary.
Image 10- Finish the outfit. Make sure you draw cloaks, jackets, shawls etc AFTER drawing your bchar's basic clothes. You'll see why later.
Image 11- Draw the weapon of your char. Again, exaggeration is a good idea since they're so small. Remember your char will need to balance, so make sure the stance is believable. For example, I wouldn't put Nichi leaning forward in this bchar, because his sword pushes his weight forward. He has to lean back to counter it. When carrying swords it's a good idea to draw gloves on your chars. I haven't in this case, because it just looked funny. But with a little adjusting, I'll add it in later.
Image 12- Now, on a seperate layer (everything should have been made on a seperate layer), create your cloak or jacket or whatev. Remember not to just make it stick out. It has to fall over the curves of the body. If you're having trouble, lower the opacity of your working layer, so you can see what lies beneath it.
Image 13- Just like you shaded the body, start shading the outfit. Remember the density of fabrics, and how oyu want them to move.
That's the hardest part done! Animating it isn't that bad, as long as you've done as I said and put each clothing article on a new layer.
Feel free to post any questions! ^^
Next image tutorial: Bchar animation
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Great tut! If only I had read this before I started doing mine... >_<