Breeze Revolution Revolution

[Despain]

http://bb.xieke.com/files/missingno1.png[/img]
missingno's
zephyr template
an updated version of GreenRaven's Breeze

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Everybody knows I'm not a fan of the Breeze template. It's not because of the template itself; it definitely has some good points to it. But for the most part the majority of sprites on this popular template encourage poor pixel practices. I personally believe that the purpose of a sprite template is not simply as a base. A sprite template should be a useful tool for beginning pixel artists. Therefore, it is my goal to reintroduce the template in a way that will maximize its useability as a spriting tool.

Enough chatter. Let's see it.

http://bb.xieke.com/files/male.png[/imgzoom]

http://bb.xieke.com/files/female.png[/imgzoom]

The male and female forms of the zephyr.

Spoiler: Additional Information

These sprites are not simply edits of the original Breeze, but were originally created with the intention of building upon where the Breeze original fell short. Hopefully the similarities and differences to the Breeze template are evident. The most prominent difference is the color palette, which has significantly more contrast than the original. It also makes use of "cooler" shades to give it a more natural coloring.

examples

Of course I wouldn't leave you with that. I've made some quick examples to show how the template might be used.

http://bb.xieke.com/files/examples.png[/imgzoom]

The first line is the palette that I created.

Spoiler: Palette Information

If you look at it, you'll notice that the two darkest shades are the same color for each of the colors. Following that, there are only 5 different colors used for the next shade. The two lightest shades are unique for each color.

What is the purpose of this? It avoids "straight ramps" (ie. colors that go straight from a dark shade to a light shade) which make colors look very artificial. At the same time, it helps unify a palette which ensures more consistency within the overall project. Lastly, it actually tends to make palette creation quicker and a bit easier, while at the same time giving (generally) better-looking results. Sounds good!

Also make a note that I don't use pure black (#000000) or pure white (#ffffff). Nowadays the biggest reason for avoiding these colors is personal preference, but I'd suggest avoiding those anyway, since things tend to look more natural (at least to me) without those.

My palette is by no means perfect, nor is it complete. And I didn't include it for you to use directly. It's an example, and it might be useful to think about when picking colors of your own to work with.

The second line shows four example characters.

Spoiler: Character Information

I believe these display a nice range of unique personalities (less so on the latter two, which are intended to show normal-looking but lively NPCs). The first two I think are good representations of what a standard RPG sprite would look like on the zephyr.

The third line shows some alternate body types. A heavier, older-looking form for the male and the female, and then a third difference for a child sprite. Notice how in the heavy people, the difference isn't only in the width of the body: their faces have more rounded cheeks.

Spoiler: Body Type Information and Advice

Because of my intention for this to be a spriting tool rather than a simple base, I'm not going to be released fully animated versions of these alternate forms (other people are welcome to, but a part of me discourages that). Why? Because I think that it would be a worthwhile exercise to edit the template on your own. As a spriter, it is your job to alter the base into something that fits the character you are creating. At least that's the way I see it. It might sound weird, but I genuinely want people to improve, and the best way to get better is to do things yourself. Use my examples as models and inspiration, but learn to manipulate the pixels on your own.

Good luck and have fun!

And remember... semper games.

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[Mascarpone]

Brava misingno. Brava.

 

[Pink Wabbit]

The new improved Breeze Template (In other words the Zephyr Template) is very cute looking! I really agree with Mascarphone, Bravo Missingno.

 

[Venetia]

Naked, the template is sorta ugly (very small sprite templates always just look like little piles of dough to me). But with clothes/hair, it's surprisingly adorable and well-done (and honestly how many sprites in a game are going to end up naked?). I think that was probably the goal, anyway--templates should really just be a sizing/style guide.

You've done really well with the palettes, too, but you always do, so that's no surprise.

They sorta look like they're slouching from the back, though.

 

[Tindy]

That's pretty cool. I might even try it!  I agree with Venetia, though, they look slouchy from behind.

 

[The Panda]

"The Panda" on the Zephyr Template: http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s194 ... Zephyr.png[/IMGZOOM]
^_^

It's definatly an improvement from Breeze, and I love how you managed to improve it while still retaining it's cuteness!
The only problem I can see is how it looks slouchy in the back like Vennie said, but that might not be noticable after you sprite clothes over it.. I'm not sure I'll have to try it and see.
^_^

 

[Venetia]

I think the slouchiness is probably a result of the back of the skull lacking an outline.

@The Panda: Remember to use Des's palette information. Your palettes are very washed out and drab.

 

[The Panda]

oo I completely missed the palettes XD
Ok so like this then: http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s194 ... ephyr2.png[/IMGZOOM]
It looks a little too yellowish to me but I'll make a thread for it later, we're supposed to be critiqueing the Zephyr not the Panda ^_^

On topic: It look like that could be it, but Des might have to redo most of the back if it is. I just spent 20 minutes trying a bajillion differant ways to add an outline to the back of the head and no matter what I did, it looked awful =/ (then again I could just be terrible at making palettes AND adding outlines, but i tend to be good at editing templates usually..)

 

[Venetia]

wow, with that palette it looks a MILLION times better! :O!

 

[Axerax]

I like it and all, think it is nice you made a new palette to improve qualities left off with breeze. My only complaint. I feel that both male and female templates give a feeling of an elderly looking character. Indeed it will call for darker palettes, but from my own standpoint, it is still slightly different than breeze, in comparison it still doesn't give me that cartoon-chibi feeling, but simply a more realistic small sprite. All in all good work and hope to see some stuff done on this.
~Axe

 

[Despain]

Indeed it will call for darker palettes, but from my own standpoint

Don't confuse "more contrast" with "darker". It's understandable coming from a beginning spriter, but the higher contrast on these sprites actually makes them look brighter, because they pop more.

in comparison it still doesn't give me that cartoon-chibi feeling

You have a point here in that my version doesn't look nearly as flat as the original. If that's what you mean by cartoon.

 

[Venetia]

Des you forgot to shade under the hair lines!!! :O!

 

[Despain]

huh?

 

[Venetia]

http://pixelcocktail.com/hosted_items/shit/gasp.png[/imgzoom]

it looks better when there's a little shading under the hairlines so the hair doesn't look "pasted" on

I'm just being a prick right now because i don't feel like working out ;(

 

[Despain]

Trying to hit me back with my own common criticisms?

http://pixelcocktail.com/hosted_items/shit/gasp.png[/imgzoom]

it looks better when there's a little shading under the hairlines so the hair doesn't look "pasted" on

I'm just being a prick right now because i don't feel like working out ;(

Works in the middle one maybe, but not on the other two. There was shading under their hair, but it was minimal and eased the transition from skin to hair, rather than being a shadow.

Think about how the light source hits. In the other two characters, the hair was high and tight, pulled back straight from the scalp. There's no shading under the hair in that case because it wouldn't cast a shadow.

I usually tell people to shade under the hair because few people use this kind of hairstyle, even though it's rather common in reality.

Yours both look fine, but the hair doesn't fit the style that I had in mind. In both of yours it looks like hair is casting more of a shadow, rather than being pulled back tight. It depends on the kind of character.

 

[Ellie]

They look like what the RMVX RTP should have looked like. Fantastic, way better than the origional breeze anyway.

 

[xinrua]

OMG!
Sorry but I have to agree with Wyatt^^
It should have been the original rmvp rtp.
They do look cute.
I might use these on my project when I get home.
Or not.
I am still looking for some good templates

 

[Light]

Wow I love it! I really hope to see a lot of resources for this template!  :lol:

 

[Mascarpone]

Completly off topic:

Despain, who's the sceney kid in your avatar and Ven, why are you a jello o.o

Slightly more on topic:
I am curious, was the whole breeze thing really irking you to the point of recreation?

 

[Venetia]

Think about how the light source hits. In the other two characters, the hair was high and tight, pulled back straight from the scalp. There's no shading under the hair in that case because it wouldn't cast a shadow.

Then you'd have to lighten the outline around the hair that's at the hairline. The chick on the right looks okay enough because the outline is sort of washed out, but the dude's hair looks pasted on because it's a very dark blackish outline which blends in like a libertarian in a socialist convention, into his very light forehead.

Anyway we're talking about like 3 pixels so whatever I don't care lol

Despain, who's the sceney kid in your avatar and Ven, why are you a jello o.o

His avvie is Shane from The L Word on TV and mine is just ... Well it's adorable o_o