AuthorTopic: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!  (Read 17615 times)

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

[WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

on: November 24, 2006, 02:35:14 am
YES! The wonderful splosion critique that all of you gave Lelle and his explosion inspired me greatly. I had been thinking about pixelling an explosion for a while now but now I finally got to it.

If the colours make you want to puke, wait until you see the final game 0:< "NEON NIGHTS", that's a name for a game just begging to be filled with NEON colours, amirite? Anyways this is supposed to be some kind of high-tech laser-y grenade explosion so hence the colours. If a laser-y grenade doesn't make sense to you, I'd be willing to guess that Disco Afro-armed Mechas doesn't either u _ u

No, really, colours will (might) be toned down eventually, and new shades will be added.

Only the first six frames are really done (and the sixth has two bright yellow pixels that shouldn't be there :0), the rest is a rough sketch. But I figured it's worth posting since the core of the animation is done.

(and yes, I love the ba-DAM flash effect of metal slug .. Cave Story has it too :] Oh, and the game will feature prominently dark backgrounds. Yus. )



KILL IT with your wonderful critique! If you have something to say, go ahead :>

Edit before even posting:
Eugh, that purple colour really hurts. Well well, I figure I'll be going to bed right now anyway.

Oh, whoops, look what nifty stuff GG could do :D

Here, have a sprite sheet!



(tad bit nicer colours there too  ^-^)
' _ '

Offline Dusty

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1107
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #1 on: November 24, 2006, 02:54:17 am
I really love the colours. It makes it distinctive and stylistic, especially the fact that the explosion doesn't float directly upwards, but off to the right.
:y:

Offline Franky G

  • 0001
  • *
  • Posts: 39
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #2 on: November 24, 2006, 02:59:30 am
I'm geeking out. Thasts SO cool!! :yay: (i'll have crits for it soon but needed to jump in and say that.)  nice work!

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #3 on: November 24, 2006, 03:04:34 am
I really love the colours. It makes it distinctive and stylistic, especially the fact that the explosion doesn't float directly upwards, but off to the right.
:y:

Since it's a grenade explosion, it's supposed to feel a bit dynamic, so if it's thrown to the right, the 'splosion that follows is tilted to the right.

Franky> Mah man, come with the crits and be SUPER!

Yus! Thank you :3 I'll be going to bed now.
' _ '

Offline Franky G

  • 0001
  • *
  • Posts: 39
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #4 on: November 24, 2006, 03:34:56 am
man i cant wait to see the finished product. As with Dusty, i like the colours.

one thing i want to point out: I especially like how you've made the particles of light illuminate towards the end of the animation. I'm not sure how you've gone about making this animation. Was this what you intended or are they supposed to be references for detail which will be added later?

Here are my crits.

1. I think the explosion takes too long to erupt.
How do i explain this.. i can't see the huge outwards force that i can imagine this explosive should make. At the moment it looks like something flammable going up (ignore the black and white flash and i think it might be a little more obvious). I think it would be good to try skipping the 3rd and 5th frame to see if it helps? maybe just skipping the 3rd frame will do?

2. The smoke ring
The smoke ring seems to start high and then move towards the ground after the explosion. My understanding is that the ring is a dust ring being pushed from the ground. In this case it could never travel down. Is should remain flat at least until the wave has stopped. I suggest modifying the 2nd, 3rd and 4th frame and just push the ring down a few pixels to keep it in line with the later frames.

I'll spend more time looking at details, but so far the rest seems pretty smoothe to me.

Looking forward to seeing the next update.

« Last Edit: November 24, 2006, 03:36:41 am by Franky G »

Offline ptoing

  • 0101
  • ****
  • Posts: 3063
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • variegated quadrangle arranger
    • the_ptoing
    • http://pixeljoint.com/p/2191.htm
    • View Profile
    • Perpetually inactive website

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #5 on: November 24, 2006, 04:20:59 am
I think as far as stylized videogame explosions go you win. The only thing that nags me are the colours :B
There are no ugly colours, only ugly combinations of colours.

Offline crab2selout.png

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 643
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • lost my left-most pixel in the war
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #6 on: November 24, 2006, 04:35:42 am
love the way it swirls at the end and how the smoke has a sparking/puffing/jumping movement. Saved to my HD.

Offline Conzeit

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1448
  • Karma: +3/-0
  • Camus
    • conzeit
    • View Profile
    • CONZEIT

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #7 on: November 24, 2006, 05:00:56 am
hhhmmm. jeez, you got it down pat on the first try...I always go too overboard with the extra knicks and knacks...Looking forward to see what you come up with next!

I think if it's a laser explosion it should have something more than the pallete to make it weird looking.The power of Lasers is the heat created from light focused into one small point right? how about you make the explosion about energy getting sort of "summoned" into one small point? it'd be pretty much like an underwater implosion but whitout the beggining part where it expands.
« Last Edit: November 24, 2006, 06:16:04 am by Conceit »

Offline EyeCraft

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 597
  • Karma: +2/-0
  • What are you scared of?
    • View Profile
    • Death By Dev

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #8 on: November 24, 2006, 06:09:51 am
Far out I'm totally in love with this. Maybe...maybe make that horizontal shockwave ring emit sooner...

But really, its just delicious.

Offline Helm

  • Moderator
  • 0110
  • *
  • Posts: 5159
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
    • Asides-Bsides

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #9 on: November 24, 2006, 10:07:26 am
I don't see anything crittable. You win.

Quote
No, really, colours will (might) be toned down eventually, and new shades will be added.

What are you talking about?! Don't change the colors! Don't tone down anything!

Offline Gunne

  • 0010
  • *
  • Posts: 182
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • hello..
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #10 on: November 24, 2006, 10:08:52 am
I don't see anything crittable. You win.

What are you talking about?! Don't change the colors! Don't tone down anything!

ditto here :y:

colours are awesome stylistic..
in the shadows, lurking.

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #11 on: November 24, 2006, 11:22:56 am
MAN you guys!

You just upped my self-confidence * infinity ; w;

Now I'm going to answer to your critique without squealing like a six-year-old bathing in candy ;0

SQUEAL!

Ok.

man i cant wait to see the finished product. As with Dusty, i like the colours.

one thing i want to point out: I especially like how you've made the particles of light illuminate towards the end of the animation. I'm not sure how you've gone about making this animation. Was this what you intended or are they supposed to be references for detail which will be added later?


Started out as references for "fire blobs" burning through the smoke or something like that. Then I went and darkened the cloud around them gradually as the explosion erupted et voila, by chance I had a really cool effect. So no, I'm not going to chance it :D Lucky strikes are for keeping, I say!

Quote

Here are my crits.

1. I think the explosion takes too long to erupt.
How do i explain this.. i can't see the huge outwards force that i can imagine this explosive should make. At the moment it looks like something flammable going up (ignore the black and white flash and i think it might be a little more obvious). I think it would be good to try skipping the 3rd and 5th frame to see if it helps? maybe just skipping the 3rd frame will do?


First frame takes away a lot from the explosion. In GG, I don't have a fixed frame rate so the first three frames have extremely little delay, but even then it looked better without the third frame ;\ I don't really know why I felt I had to add it in in the first place, I made that frame in the middle of the process. Oh well. The fifth frame, I cannot make my mind up if I want it or if I don't. Some of the cringy movement goes away, which adds BADAMPF to the explosion but then one of my favourite frames has to go :\ Plus the explosion looks colder. I'll do more on the whole explosion and then I decide if it stays or goes. But the third frame will go.

Quote

2. The smoke ring
The smoke ring seems to start high and then move towards the ground after the explosion. My understanding is that the ring is a dust ring being pushed from the ground. In this case it could never travel down. Is should remain flat at least until the wave has stopped. I suggest modifying the 2nd, 3rd and 4th frame and just push the ring down a few pixels to keep it in line with the later frames.

I'll spend more time looking at details, but so far the rest seems pretty smoothe to me.

Looking forward to seeing the next update.

hhhmmm. jeez, you got it down pat on the first try...I always go too overboard with the extra knicks and knacks...Looking forward to see what you come up with next!

I think if it's a laser explosion it should have something more than the pallete to make it weird looking.The power of Lasers is the heat created from light focused into one small point right? how about you make the explosion about energy getting sort of "summoned" into one small point? it'd be pretty much like an underwater implosion but whitout the beggining part where it expands.

Actually, that I call is a laser explosion is mostly because it sounds hip and cool, you know? It's just a flashy grenade explosion with extra sci-fi-flashiness for an equally flashy game (that doesn't exist yet but what the heck.) But your laser-specific crits is the shit, I tell you. There will be more explosions in this game and I'll definately take your advice :D

I don't see anything crittable. You win.

What are you talking about?! Don't change the colors! Don't tone down anything!
ditto here :y:

colours are awesome stylistic..

Okay, change "tone down" to "tweak into pure awesomeness if needed" and there you have it <3
' _ '

Offline DrDerekDoctors

  • 0010
  • *
  • Posts: 136
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #12 on: November 24, 2006, 01:53:14 pm
Very nice indeed! Love the way it flows and the colours suit it really well.
--

DrDerekDoctors

Offline .TakaM

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1178
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • View Profile
    • Fetch Quest

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #13 on: November 24, 2006, 02:21:27 pm
gorgeous. definetly something I will keep for inspiration :)
Life without knowledge is death in disguise

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #14 on: November 24, 2006, 04:11:22 pm


You might want to keep that one instead, bro :0

As of now, I have no means of batch-converting PNG to GIF and I'm on the move, so you'll have to see how it animates later :\

But stay tuned! Don't forget about this topic! I need attention :yay:
' _ '

Offline ptoing

  • 0101
  • ****
  • Posts: 3063
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • variegated quadrangle arranger
    • the_ptoing
    • http://pixeljoint.com/p/2191.htm
    • View Profile
    • Perpetually inactive website

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #15 on: November 24, 2006, 04:16:05 pm


:yay:

Awesome is all I can say!

There are no ugly colours, only ugly combinations of colours.

Offline baccaman21

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 549
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • It's critique, don't take it personally.
    • View Profile
    • Linked In

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #16 on: November 24, 2006, 04:21:24 pm
ditto
Buy the book - The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

www.burnzombieburn.com

Offline Lelle

  • 0001
  • *
  • Posts: 51
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #17 on: November 24, 2006, 04:21:34 pm
I also got to join in and say itīs exceptionally awesome! Got nothing else to say really :]

Cheers,

Lelle

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #18 on: November 24, 2006, 04:27:33 pm


:yay:

Awesome is all I can say!



Buh!

MAGIC! Animation!

I'll be saving that one ;]

Nice that you all like it, folks. Will be posting some other animations later, I'm sure they didn't come out as nicely as this one, this one was really a lucky strike, didn't even know how I did it :\

But if you find something to CC, do it. And of course I love praise and so, since I'm an attentionwhore but that's just up to you :> If you have no negative CnC, at least tell me what it is specifically that you DO like about it. That'd be helpful also, since I'll be making more animations later and wanna know what I should be aiming at.

Thanks for the animation magic, though, ptoing :D I really appreciate it.

(this is the first explosion animation I've made in like five years or something so I'm surprised it came out this well. Paper doodling and scribbles paid off, I guess. :])

Cheers allofya.
' _ '

Offline calle_

  • 0001
  • *
  • Posts: 11
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • hm?
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #19 on: November 24, 2006, 04:38:05 pm
o,O  love it.

Offline eqko

  • 0001
  • *
  • Posts: 63
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • ehr !?
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #20 on: November 24, 2006, 04:41:00 pm
this is def ftw ...

the thing I personaly really love is the poof coulds going outwards near the bottom.
previously known as equinoxx

Offline saimo

  • 0010
  • *
  • Posts: 164
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • R37R34M
    • View Profile
    • RETREAM

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #21 on: November 24, 2006, 05:30:06 pm
Wonderful! It rocks!
Colors and motion are f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c.
The only thing I don't like much is the first dark frame... but it's a personal thing of mine...

saimo

Offline baccaman21

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 549
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • It's critique, don't take it personally.
    • View Profile
    • Linked In

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #22 on: November 24, 2006, 05:51:44 pm
remove that frame and it loses the impact...

Buy the book - The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

www.burnzombieburn.com

Offline saimo

  • 0010
  • *
  • Posts: 164
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • R37R34M
    • View Profile
    • RETREAM

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #23 on: November 24, 2006, 07:20:20 pm
remove that frame and it loses the impact...
Well, I had actually done it before posting just to make sure it was not only an abstract idea.
What can I say... I like it better without, both because I do not like perceiving the undefined black shape and because the explosion is more sudden, brutal... but, as said, it's a personal thing.
Of course, on a very bright background things would be different.

saimo

Offline Franky G

  • 0001
  • *
  • Posts: 39
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #24 on: November 24, 2006, 10:08:29 pm
Awesome work Jad! big thumbs up on this one.  :y:

Offline Rox

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 591
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #25 on: November 24, 2006, 11:04:09 pm
This is decidedly beautiful. Love the fluidness, love the colors even more.

Regarding the black frame, I do think it looks better without it in a non-contextual kinda sense, like this. But in a game, the black frame definitely helps, especially if you can sync it to a good explosion sound. You know the first syllable in "ker-POW"? That's the black frame. No explosion ever has a pre-bang like that in real life, but a good explosion in a game probably ends up having it. Some games even give weapons the same effect (which bugs me, because it rarely works (See the pistol in FarCry PC)).

Anyway, beautiful.

Offline baccaman21

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 549
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • It's critique, don't take it personally.
    • View Profile
    • Linked In

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #26 on: November 27, 2006, 09:54:13 am
getting back to the black frame...

in order for it to work... you need to sort the timings out better on those first 2 frames. The whole loop (apart from the blank frame) is played at 40 fps... the "flash bang" segment of the sequence (ie.e the black to white shape) needs to literally play so quick you almost miss it...

i've reduced the timings on those frames to 20fps and then the remainder plays at 40 fps...



the key to it is into tricking the eye into HEARING the bang... (I know that sounds weird) but that's the point of the black frame to white frame...
Buy the book - The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

www.burnzombieburn.com

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #27 on: November 27, 2006, 10:15:35 am
My explanation is that the sudden transition from black to white simulates the blinding caused by such a bright flash; it also surprises the eye, that first attempts to adjust to the black that is shown, but immediately is encountered with a bright white, It kind of fuxxors with the eye, and I always find myself feeling a bit blinded by it (though I never really am :0) and I think that's the kind of impact an explosion should have.

Anyways, thanks for all nice words, I'm off pixelling a bit more now :]

Thank you all for the encouragement!
' _ '

Offline saimo

  • 0010
  • *
  • Posts: 164
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • R37R34M
    • View Profile
    • RETREAM

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #28 on: November 27, 2006, 10:32:09 am
getting back to the black frame...

in order for it to work... you need to sort the timings out better on those first 2 frames. The whole loop (apart from the blank frame) is played at 40 fps... the "flash bang" segment of the sequence (ie.e the black to white shape) needs to literally play so quick you almost miss it...
Fully agreed.
In fact, your modified version look a lot better :y:

Quote
i've reduced the timings on those frames to 20fps and then the remainder plays at 40 fps...
mmm... I guess what you actually had in mind was 60 fps... right?

saimo

Offline Panda

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1008
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • 威風堂々
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #29 on: November 27, 2006, 10:38:03 am
mmm... I guess what you actually had in mind was 60 fps... right?

I guess he meant 20 milliseconds on those frames which would be 50fps, and the ones with 40milliseconds being at 25fps.

Btw neat explosion.
« Last Edit: November 27, 2006, 10:41:28 am by Panda »

Offline baccaman21

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 549
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • It's critique, don't take it personally.
    • View Profile
    • Linked In

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #30 on: November 27, 2006, 10:52:09 am
yeah... you're right... I meant milliseconds... my bad... :P
Buy the book - The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

www.burnzombieburn.com

Offline Jad

  • 0100
  • ***
  • Posts: 1048
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #31 on: November 27, 2006, 11:13:43 am
Yes, of course, baccaman, that's exactly what I was aiming for :] It's just that my current GIF-animation gadget doesn't let me tweak such things. A shame, really :< Maybe I'll dish out moneys for a Full Graphics Gale. Heh. (now helm and ptoing and millions of pixelationers go 'GET PRO FUCKING MOTION IF THERE'S THE OUTWARDS DISHING OF MONEY INVOLVED')

But until then, I'll just say that inside my graphics gale where I can tweak frame delay, It looks just like in Baccaman's edit :] So that's exactly what it's supposed to look like.
' _ '

Offline baccaman21

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 549
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • It's critique, don't take it personally.
    • View Profile
    • Linked In

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #32 on: November 27, 2006, 12:30:43 pm
(now helm and ptoing and millions of pixelationers go 'GET PRO FUCKING MOTION IF THERE'S THE OUTWARDS DISHING OF MONEY INVOLVED')

I'll be 1 of those millions ;)
Buy the book - The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

www.burnzombieburn.com

Offline Larwick

  • 0011
  • **
  • Posts: 738
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • Larwick
    • http://www.pixeljoint.com/p/3794.htm
    • View Profile
    • Artstation

Re: [WIP] Animated Lazer Splosion! It Explodes!

Reply #33 on: November 27, 2006, 10:12:45 pm
Dude, that really is a beautifully stylistic explosion. Kudos! No crits from me.. not that thats anything amazing.  :lol: