Full Games List
Featured Games
New Games
Reviews
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
Forums
Post History
Chat
New to RMN?
Full Store List
RMN Music Pack (free)
Add Review
Subscribe
Nominate
Submit Media
RSS
Clash of the portrait styles!
polarcactus- 05/08/2012 07:30 AM
- 9975 views
Ah, yes. Yet another graphical setback, yet, no fear. Nothing disastrous has gone done this time. I've always been wondering about the portrait usage in the game, and when I took a vote over at rpgmakervx.net a while back, I asked the players to ask which portrait style they preferred. Original art versus my Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance edits.
The original art won out in the end, but not by a landslide. The votes ( out of the 142 cast so far ) came rather close. 49 for OA vs. 44 for FE art, iirc. The remaining votes consisted of those for whom the art style didn't matter.
So, I've been thinking ( and doing ) two releases of the game: One with the original art, and one with the FE art, since I've always been particularly fond of the latter. Just last night, I whipped up Laine's FE version, based off her new design.
And it's also for those of you who think my art is horrible... Huge heads, slanting characters and the like. The FE art gives the game quite a professional look, if I say so myself.
All edits done so far ( with Laine's older design ) I really don't want it to go to waste.
Against...
Oh, the head sizes... I seriously need to refine my art technique.
BUT! I am not ditching the OA. There will still be a download for those who like original artwork in games, so, yeah. Should get rid of that one dilemma that has been bothering me for a while.
Oh well, back to the drawing board. Oh, and I have time to kill, since I finished up my testing last night. ^^
The original art won out in the end, but not by a landslide. The votes ( out of the 142 cast so far ) came rather close. 49 for OA vs. 44 for FE art, iirc. The remaining votes consisted of those for whom the art style didn't matter.
So, I've been thinking ( and doing ) two releases of the game: One with the original art, and one with the FE art, since I've always been particularly fond of the latter. Just last night, I whipped up Laine's FE version, based off her new design.
And it's also for those of you who think my art is horrible... Huge heads, slanting characters and the like. The FE art gives the game quite a professional look, if I say so myself.
All edits done so far ( with Laine's older design ) I really don't want it to go to waste.
Against...
Oh, the head sizes... I seriously need to refine my art technique.
BUT! I am not ditching the OA. There will still be a download for those who like original artwork in games, so, yeah. Should get rid of that one dilemma that has been bothering me for a while.
Oh well, back to the drawing board. Oh, and I have time to kill, since I finished up my testing last night. ^^
Posts 
argh
792
View playlists
CloseI would recommend using original art. As stated before, rips are...well, rips. Even if your own art is less refined, it is more original and that's important. And yes, it will improve as time goes on.
The original art portraits are quite big and blurry compared to the FE ones, though. As many have said previously, resizing may be in order.
The original art portraits are quite big and blurry compared to the FE ones, though. As many have said previously, resizing may be in order.
I really wouldn't put out two different versions of the game just to have one with FE portrait edits and your own art. That's really silly and more time consuming than it needs to be (and really, don't even listen that guy who mentioned that to you--he's a dick, trust me). You still have room to grow as an artist, but just because of that one comment, you shouldn't go "well jee, I should just have two versions so I appeal to everyone!". Stick with your Original Art, it will pay off in the end, BELIEVE me.
Have you tried making your original art resized so it's smaller (more closer to the size of the FE portraits?) so they don't have that blown up look?
Another idea is to take your FE portraits, print them out, and trace over them for the proportions. And keep doing that until your proportions are a bit more in sync with the style and then try again on your own and use the FE portraits as a guide to guiding you to doing better proportions (smaller heads, etc.). There are many ways to grow as an artist here and I don't think releasing two versions of your game is going to help. It'll just be more work for you in the end.
Have you tried making your original art resized so it's smaller (more closer to the size of the FE portraits?) so they don't have that blown up look?
Another idea is to take your FE portraits, print them out, and trace over them for the proportions. And keep doing that until your proportions are a bit more in sync with the style and then try again on your own and use the FE portraits as a guide to guiding you to doing better proportions (smaller heads, etc.). There are many ways to grow as an artist here and I don't think releasing two versions of your game is going to help. It'll just be more work for you in the end.
cokidoki
50
author=alterego
Two versions of the same game just for a change on the art style? That's silly! ...If anything, why not just include in the same download a separate carpet with the FE/custom portraits, so anyone can dump them into the game at wish. Or make that an actual in-game option...
Also, not trying to be an ass here, but you've already been given some directions on what's wrong with your art and how to fix it. I mean, you're just a few simple Photoshop edits away from better results. Big heads? Resize. Slatend bodys? Rotate. Clean lineart? Pen tool... If you were really concerned about this, you'd go over it right away, instead of waiting six months to do it.
Also, guys, this ain't a chat you know? ...My poor notices just got flooded with you convo. xP
It's still her decision to make whether or not to do it. Dont be so tough to her, after all it's really hard to manage things once you get into game developing.
And about our convos, it's our way of showing our affection to one another :)
Two versions of the same game just for a change on the art style? That's silly! ...If anything, why not just include in the same download a separate carpet with the FE/custom portraits, so anyone can dump them into the game at wish. Or make that an actual in-game option...
Also, not trying to be an ass here, but you've already been given some directions on what's wrong with your art and how to fix it. I mean, you're just a few simple Photoshop edits away from better results. Big heads? Resize. Slatend bodys? Rotate. Clean lineart? Pen tool... If you were really concerned about this, you'd go over it right away, instead of waiting six months to do it.
Also, guys, this ain't a chat you know? ...My poor notices just got flooded with you little convo. xP
Also, not trying to be an ass here, but you've already been given some directions on what's wrong with your art and how to fix it. I mean, you're just a few simple Photoshop edits away from better results. Big heads? Resize. Slatend bodys? Rotate. Clean lineart? Pen tool... If you were really concerned about this, you'd go over it right away, instead of waiting six months to do it.
Also, guys, this ain't a chat you know? ...My poor notices just got flooded with you little convo. xP
cokidoki
50
author=bigtime
I was inspiring you!!!! Go forth and draw like the great yuna.
Hahahaha. Yes my friend. :3 She really inspires me a lot you know. Enelysion is my favorite VX game so far :D
cokidoki
50
author=bigtime
From me. GO cokidoki! I have faith in you!
haha, you're such a nice guy big time. :3 and thanks :3 just one question, you have faith in me? hahaha
cokidoki
50
woooow. that's time consuming. :\\ ugh, where shall I get inspiration to start already. O.O
cokidoki
50
author=yuna21
Most time consuming... colouring for sure. ><
oh :( for how long does it take you to color one portrait?
cokidoki
50
author=yuna21
Yes indeed. It's more rewarding in the long run... In the very, very loooong run. ><
Yes. Very, and I must say that you are proud of your work :3 so what do you think is the thing that makes you consume your time, drawing or coloring them? :D
cokidoki
50
author=yuna21
Actually, I'm not the first one to use FE9 portraits for a VX game. Have you checked out A Dust Tale? That's where I got the idea from to use those portraits. ^^
So that's why :3 They are so cool but yet making custom art is cooler, right? :3
edit: I saw them already but they look futuristic and I am more into medieval times. :3
Actually, I'm not the first one to use FE9 portraits for a VX game. Have you checked out A Dust Tale? That's where I got the idea from to use those portraits. ^^
cokidoki
50
author=yuna21
@cokidoki: Laine's FE version is put together by using various FE characters of the same game. FE9 has nearly 70 different full body shots ( there may be more ). Look at the general in black with the pinkish hair in my first post. That's where I got part of Laine's hair from.
Yes, I know that Luchi but I have never combined their hair. I have tried making those frankenportraits of FE9 before for my game but I guess, there will be no originality if I do same coz you're already using those. :) :(
@cokidoki: Laine's FE version is put together by using various FE characters of the same game. FE9 has nearly 70 different full body shots ( there may be more ). Look at the general in black with the pinkish hair in my first post. That's where I got part of Laine's hair from.
cokidoki
50
author=yuna21
@cokidoki: Thanks. :) I suppose in the not so far future, custom art all the way for the game's final full release. But I don't know when that's going to happen.
A question to you guys: Does the resolution of the custom art look... odd? As if its enlarged or something? I have no idea how to make my art look, you know... clearer? Since I lack a tablet, I don't go over my original lineart, I just darken it.
Testing out a cutscene with the FE edits. The smaller portrait size means up to 4 characters can be on a screen at once. I <3 the look of this. So... clean. ^^ Or maybe it's the colours.
Yes. I love that cutscene. I love Laine's FE look. But you said that you lack a tablet, so how did you manage to draw her hair like that and her shoulder armor? :3
@cokidoki: Thanks. :) I suppose in the not so far future, custom art all the way for the game's final full release. But I don't know when that's going to happen.
A question to you guys: Does the resolution of the custom art look... odd? As if its enlarged or something? I have no idea how to make my art look, you know... clearer? Since I lack a tablet, I don't go over my original lineart, I just darken it.
Testing out a cutscene with the FE edits. The smaller portrait size means up to 4 characters can be on a screen at once. I <3 the look of this. So... clean. ^^ Or maybe it's the colours.
A question to you guys: Does the resolution of the custom art look... odd? As if its enlarged or something? I have no idea how to make my art look, you know... clearer? Since I lack a tablet, I don't go over my original lineart, I just darken it.
Testing out a cutscene with the FE edits. The smaller portrait size means up to 4 characters can be on a screen at once. I <3 the look of this. So... clean. ^^ Or maybe it's the colours.
