Isometric bot...thing

[neverest]

I don't spend any time just practicing spriting so I thought I'd try something for fun. The main thing I wanted to do was use a more conventional and logical process, as I have the habit of lining one bit, then colouring it before I've even finished measuring out the proportions. Also I'm generaly bad at stances so i thought I'd practice with a robot.


and this was the process:


any crits apreciated. thanks

[David]

I think you've done very well in all that you set out to do. Everything looks very solid but the last step. I think dithering hurts in this case. I understand why you did it, but if this thing is made of metal or shiny plastic the dithering ruins the effect. Also you shifted the contrast down a notch (this is most evident to me in the side of the head) taking away a bit of the crispness it had. My final minor quibble is that you could add some nice detailing on him. Run some lines down the sides, numbers, letters, or any sort of design. He's quite plain at the moment.

Hope I haven't discouraged you -- it's actually very nice.

[Lick]

That's a nice mech! I like the fact that you showed the progress, really inspiring. I agree with David that the dithering in the final image kinda removed the glossiness. And also, the gloss doesn't seem constant; the head seems to be shinier than the rest of the body.
Some area's of the image look pillowshaded, for example the left-arm.
The secondary light, I'm not sure where it comes from. The right (really close to his ass), or top-right (that would make his back reflect also, but it doesn't)?

BTW, I would love to see a completely selective outlined version. 

[Nix]

that would make such a nice game . i adore the colour scheme.

[neverest]

ok, updated version:





Thanks, yes you were right about the dithering David, I much prefer it without. Generarally I find a lot of robots I see a bit fussy with unneccesary ornamentation, so I went with more of a shapely style. But I can see now it may want a little something in some of the larger areas. I also might practice doing a much dirtier version like my original pencil sketch.

Agreed the secondary lighting was a bit off, hopefully thats rectified now. it should be pointing towards his back (west south-west). I think what threw it most was the shine on the head which I've moved round. I've also tried to make the glossiness more consistent.
Thanks for all the help.


Edit: tried a distressed version:

[Rawsushi]

Love the design. I think I prefer the lighter version of the robot more.

I did an edit of the darker version. Hope you don't mind.

It's animated against the original so you can see what I changed.

[baccaman21]

Hey neverest... hope you not sour with me after the Background thing? :S

This looks cool man... love the design... really sweet.

Have you considered knocking the far arm and leg into the b/g a touch... ? To make the foreground limbs stand proud a little?

[Dhaos]

Nifty, I like the topmost version alot, more subtle shading. Being that you used a dark outline, might consider AA'ing more to it...

Monsoon2d, great edit. Contrast is your friend.

[neverest]

Hi Monsoon2D, no I dont mind when its pretty like that!
I wasnt very happy with the optical bit in mine so I've gone for a bit of a compromise, I realy liked what you did, but I wanted to keep a bit of colour in there as well. I've also taken into account some of the other bits you did, the undershine is really nice and I've applied that to some more of the body, also I was initially worried too much aa might spoil the style but after seeing yours I've added that to most of the edges. Oh  I've also added some proper shadow to the legs and back.



baccaman21, no thats fine, fundamentally I am here to learn, although I felt I'd followed the rules, I just wasnt sure if I'd done something wrong, but I can't say I lost much sleep about not having set up the gif pallette! I'll worry about that when Mr Nintendos knocks on my door with a sack of loot  

Back to the bot, basically, no. hehe I hadnt thought about it but I guess I could maybe desaturate them a little. To be honest I'm not really too keen on that look, its ok on a side view, but in that case it greatly helps tidy up any animation, which I dont think is such a problem in iso. Regardless I might try it anyway, I may change my mind when I see it.

Thanks for the comments etc

Edit: Thanks Dhaos, yeah particularly after seeing that edit I'd noticed that also, hopefully thats rectified a bit in the new version.

[Dhaos]

Nice update, the orb could use some shading on < side to indicate its more round...basically darking it slowly with your existing tones. It would also be pretty cool if you gave some illumination to the barrel of the gun. The blue you used on the orb might do. Again very nice fixes, this bots turing out well.