[VX] Using Sprites as Faces

[Stardust]

Using Sprites as Faces


This tutorial will cover how one goes about making sprites usable as faces in RPG Maker VX.  It's an idea I developed from my lack of artistic skills beyond sprites, and it can be enhanced with sprite emotions and, although there currently isn't one, a script that could make faces use animated sprites.  I don't intend to ask for the script, but feel free to make a script request if you're interested. :thumb:

Borrowing from Despain's idea, I'll be using pictures to create the tutorial.  It will be easier for you to read and understand, and I'm getting bored of making purely text tutorials.  For the tutorial, I will be using Paint.net.  More advanced programs will probably work, but MS Paint won't.  Paint.net is free, so there isn't any reason why you can't use this tutorial.  I'll break this tutorial down into five spoilers with three images each so I won't overload someone's computer. :crazy:

Spoiler: 1-3

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Metora/Tutorials/Tutorial1.png[/img]

Open up your paint program...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... orial2.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... ial3-1.png[/img]

Spoiler: 4-6

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Metora/Tutorials/Tutorial4.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... orial5.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... orial6.png[/img]
You don't have to use all the facings for a sprite.  I usually use facings in scenes, but not for regular play.  If you want to use facings in regular play, you'll have to use conditional branches to check which direction the player is facing.

Spoiler: 7-9

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Metora/Tutorials/Tutorial7.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... orial8.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... orial9.png[/img]

Spoiler: 10-12

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Metora/Tutorials/Tutorial10.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... rial11.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... rial12.png[/img]

Spoiler: 13-15

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Metora/Tutorials/Tutorial13.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... rial14.png[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/ ... rial15.png[/img]

 

[regi]

Pretty useful. It seems a zoomed-up VX sprite actually looks nice as a faceset.

There's a much faster way though for steps 4-8. You can simply select the individual sprite and use the command "Crop to Selection."

 

[Stardust]

I would do that, but my hand is usually too shaky to get an accurate selection.  In the end, it's much easier, and usually faster, for me to go through resizing the canvas.  It's a personal preference, so cropping would work just as well.

 

[regi]

Or you could zoom up like doing pixel art.

 

[dadevvtsvre]

It's a bit unorthodox (like Regi mentioned, there are easier ways to resize the sprite) but I never knew that VX sprites looked that good as a face set. Heck, I might even do that. Thanks for the tut!

 

[Stardust]

Selecting like that requires the knowledge of where each sprite ends in the 32x32 grid, and even with the math, I got extremely confused for some reason.  I just find resizing easier and safer.  I can understand complicated masses of stuff, but a blank space confuses me.  :crazy:  Oh well.  Either method gets the job done.

 

[HotSpot6]

GIMP can do grids like that, but good method nevertheless. But I never thought about doing this. I needed to dust off my old version of Paint.Net and update it so I could resize the sprite properly, lol. I hope you make more tutorials soon!

 

[rocknroll93]

wow, it does look good. shame I don't like VX that much.

good to see someone else using paint.net btw