Pixelation

Critique => Pixel Art => Topic started by: Charlieton on September 27, 2012, 06:28:33 pm

Title: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Charlieton on September 27, 2012, 06:28:33 pm

So here's this guy:

(http://i.imgur.com/EU7JA.png)

I asked for anatomy-critique in the casual pixels-thread some week/s ago, but haven't gotten any replies. That request still stands, though.

I went on and tried to animate him breathing, just for practice. This is how far I got:

(http://i.imgur.com/mYcO7.gif)

I have some issues with these results, such as the inhale being too sudden, to the point of jarring if you don't pay close attention to the frame leading up to it. Actually, it's like you only see two frames throughout the whole loop. Can you offer any suggestions on how to make the transition from empty to filled lungs (and vice versa) more smooth? And should I exaggerate the inhale some more? How, then?

Also, I feel like the whole sprite might be a bit too rigid. What other movement could I add to the animation in combination with the breathing to make it more interesting? I know I'll add blinking eyes, for example. But what else? Knees bending a bit? More facial expressions?

Lots of questions here. :blind:
Anyway, thanks for your help, guys!

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Helm on September 27, 2012, 06:43:27 pm

This is where subpixel animation is useful. You can tween sub-one pixel movement by using intermediate shades. It'll look very fancy, though time consuming to make.

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: ericbloom on September 27, 2012, 07:10:38 pm

In case anyone else doesn't know what sub pixel animation is, I just found a pretty sweet breakdown:

http://2dwillneverdie.com/tutorial/give-your-sprites-depth-with-sub-pixel-animation/

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Charlieton on September 27, 2012, 10:25:42 pm

Yes, I considered that sub-pixeling might be the right thing to apply in this case. I haven't tried it before, though, so this should be suitable as a practice course in that as well.

Thanks for the comments! I'll study the link you supplied, ericbloom.

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Charlieton on September 29, 2012, 09:09:15 pm

Okay, here's an update, and my first try at doing something subpixel. Not sure if it's done right, but at least the animation is more active now. Don't mind the arm, though! Not exactly sure what's going on there. :huh:

side-by-side comparison:
(http://i.imgur.com/QOrpi.gif) (http://i.imgur.com/mYcO7.gif)

Maybe it's too active ;D. Anyway, it's fun to experiment with!

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Friend on September 29, 2012, 11:42:23 pm

breath seems too fast if he is relaxed.  Breath seems too shallow if he is slightly exhasperated

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Charlieton on September 30, 2012, 10:49:30 am

Agreed. The pose would suggest he's relaxed, so that's what I'm going for here. Is this better?

(http://i.imgur.com/pjViX.gif)

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: ErekT on October 01, 2012, 08:26:35 pm

The jerky feel comes from the head moving two pixels in a single frame; one down and one to the side. If you just move it down one pixel things get smoother.

(http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz263/ErekT_Pixel/breathing.gif)

But I think you're gonna need an in-between frame for the head-bobbing. Maybe even two to make the sub-pixel blur less evident.

(http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz263/ErekT_Pixel/breathing_sub.gif)

Title: Re: Dude sprite, breathing animation [C+C]
Post by: Charlieton on October 01, 2012, 09:46:21 pm

I was wondering where I'd go next. Thanks for the advice, ErekT! I'll improve on the head movement.