Full Games List
Featured Games
New Games
Reviews
Media
Images
Blogs
Game Updates
Images Feedback Summary
Game Design Highlights
Tutorials
Articles
Scripts
Utilities / Plugins
Resources
Engines
Engine Bulletins
What is Makerscore?
Past Events
Achievements
Misaos
Forums
Post History
Chat
New to RMN?
Full Store List
RMN Music Pack (free)
PAINTED VS. PIXEL SPRITES?
Posts
Pages:
1
Veynn
294
Veynn
View playlists
CloseHihi! \>u</
My main project's multiple chapters, so I'm planning to convert to making it a pixel-based game to save myself time.
I tend to take a really, really long time trying to figure out color coordination to the point the sprites usually blend in with the background when (if) I manage to get that far:
That would be for a sidescroller I was planning, but it's on hold at the moment.
This has impeded upon my main project to the point I now have to completely start over.
However, I don't understand how to actually make pixel sprites; they always look out wonky:
I started pixel art 2 days ago, but I once tried drawing pixel trees months ago.
Anyway, I really don't understand how I'm supposed to make actual character sprites, so could I just keep them painted to match the character portraits:
Thank you!!
My main project's multiple chapters, so I'm planning to convert to making it a pixel-based game to save myself time.
I tend to take a really, really long time trying to figure out color coordination to the point the sprites usually blend in with the background when (if) I manage to get that far:
That would be for a sidescroller I was planning, but it's on hold at the moment.
This has impeded upon my main project to the point I now have to completely start over.
However, I don't understand how to actually make pixel sprites; they always look out wonky:
I started pixel art 2 days ago, but I once tried drawing pixel trees months ago.
Anyway, I really don't understand how I'm supposed to make actual character sprites, so could I just keep them painted to match the character portraits:
Thank you!!
djbeardo
1834
There are a few tutorials online that can walk you through how to convert something to something more pixely:
http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/how-to-turn-any-photograph-into-pixel-art-with-photoshop
But I have to admit, there's a big artistic difference between converting a photo to pixels and making pixel art. Good luck!
http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/how-to-turn-any-photograph-into-pixel-art-with-photoshop
But I have to admit, there's a big artistic difference between converting a photo to pixels and making pixel art. Good luck!
turkeyDawg
195
There's also some drawing -> pixel tutorials here:
http://2dwillneverdie.com/tutorial/
Having the drawn characters in the pixel-art room looks a little inconsistent, but not super-horribly so. Though, if you're so new to pixel-art, then is spriting the background objects actually faster for you than just drawing them?
I guess the fastest thing to do for characters is to draw a simple line-art, then shrink it and use it as a base to pixel over and color in from there.
Also, you should decide whether or not your rooms/backgrounds are going to have perspective or not. The bed, table, floor cushions (bean bag chairs? ottomans?), loose books, and floor tiles look like standard RPG 3/4-ish top-down orthographic (no perspective) style. However, the bookshelf, dresser, fireplace, and stools have perspective from a slightly raised front view and none of their vanishing points line up. (The bookshelf is also placed to high up and appears to be inside the wall, rather than in front of it, meanwhile the dresser is placed a bit too low)
http://2dwillneverdie.com/tutorial/
Having the drawn characters in the pixel-art room looks a little inconsistent, but not super-horribly so. Though, if you're so new to pixel-art, then is spriting the background objects actually faster for you than just drawing them?
I guess the fastest thing to do for characters is to draw a simple line-art, then shrink it and use it as a base to pixel over and color in from there.
Also, you should decide whether or not your rooms/backgrounds are going to have perspective or not. The bed, table, floor cushions (bean bag chairs? ottomans?), loose books, and floor tiles look like standard RPG 3/4-ish top-down orthographic (no perspective) style. However, the bookshelf, dresser, fireplace, and stools have perspective from a slightly raised front view and none of their vanishing points line up. (The bookshelf is also placed to high up and appears to be inside the wall, rather than in front of it, meanwhile the dresser is placed a bit too low)
LockeZ
I'd really like to get rid of LockeZ. His play style is way too unpredictable. He's always like this too. If he ran a country, he'd just kill and imprison people at random until crime stopped.
5958
Having pixel art sprites on a painted background was used in a few games back in the early PSX era (such as SaGa Frontier), so it's something indie artists can get away with due to there being precedent. It doesn't really match, but it doesn't look super awkward, and at least helps the characters stand out against the background. It sort of has the same effect as a focused spot on an otherwise blurry picture.
However, having painted characters on a pixel art background doesn't look as good. It matches just as poorly, but there's no historical predecent to excuse it away. Additionally, the anti-aliased painted lines are less "bold" than the hard lines of pixel art, so they don't have that stand-out quality. Instead of popping, the sprites still seem to kind of fade into the background even though they don't match it. The effect is like a blurry spot on an otherwised focused picture.
If you do use painted sprited, my suggestion would be to give them extremely thick black lines. Right now your painted lines are less than a pixel thick. I would make them, like, two pixels thick. You could probably get away with just having a thick black outline around the edge of the character rather than making every interior line that thick.
Also, I would actually strongly recommend going out of your way to not color coordinate the sprites with the background. You want the characters and interactive objects to stand out, and the main character to especially stand out. I promise it will not break your game's aesthetic.
However, having painted characters on a pixel art background doesn't look as good. It matches just as poorly, but there's no historical predecent to excuse it away. Additionally, the anti-aliased painted lines are less "bold" than the hard lines of pixel art, so they don't have that stand-out quality. Instead of popping, the sprites still seem to kind of fade into the background even though they don't match it. The effect is like a blurry spot on an otherwised focused picture.
If you do use painted sprited, my suggestion would be to give them extremely thick black lines. Right now your painted lines are less than a pixel thick. I would make them, like, two pixels thick. You could probably get away with just having a thick black outline around the edge of the character rather than making every interior line that thick.
Also, I would actually strongly recommend going out of your way to not color coordinate the sprites with the background. You want the characters and interactive objects to stand out, and the main character to especially stand out. I promise it will not break your game's aesthetic.
Pages:
1
