Topic: C&C for my sprite tree

[Aėrendyll (formerly Yurina)]

Hi all,

A few months ago I started up an RPG (I have several thread about it lying around on the forum, so you might have noticed ) and I'm having a bit of trouble on drawing trees. So I ask your help once again.

Here's my tree (with an example of the sprites I use next to it):

1x


2x


Is there anything odd about it? Does it look unnatural? Should I change some colours?

I'll be awaiting your reply!

Cheers,
~Yurina

[Dan]

I like it, it has a SNES RPG game type of feel to it If its supposed to look like a bushy round shaped tree I think it works. I dunno if the lighting would need to be adjusted if you wanted lots of these on the screen at once tho...

[Aėrendyll (formerly Yurina)]

I like it, it has a SNES RPG game type of feel to it If its supposed to look like a bushy round shaped tree I think it works. I dunno if the lighting would need to be adjusted if you wanted lots of these on the screen at once tho...

I'm very glad you like it!

I thought of making some darker versions which are less detailed when I use more of them in one screen. That also makes the landscape more intresting, doesnt it? ^.^

[Ali]

The way the leaves are blue when in shadow looks really nice. It looks odd, however, that the trunk doesn't do the same. Might I suggest you create 'warm' trees and 'cold' trees?

I would add bluish shadow to the trunk to create a colder tree, and a warm golden colour for the shadow of the leaves of the warm, sunset tree. By selective use of the trees you could give create different atmospheres / times of day.

I also like the idea of using lots of simple trees and a few more detailed focal points.

[SpacePirateCaine]

I like it - it has a very groovy, classic top-down action-rpg look to it. Sort of along the zelda bent. I'd suggest, if I might, to also design a tiling pattern for your trees, using the same parts, so that you can easily fit many together. And lots of other debris, of course. It's a great start, and I'm interested in seeing where it is you plan on taking this.

One thing that does come to mind, is your character has a very well-defined black border, while the tree doesn't. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it does distinguish your character from their surroundings, but for consistency, you may want to alter either the character sprite, or the outer edge of certain elements.

[Aėrendyll (formerly Yurina)]

Thanks for the C&C everyone!

One thing that does come to mind, is your character has a very well-defined black border, while the tree doesn't. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it does distinguish your character from their surroundings, but for consistency, you may want to alter either the character sprite, or the outer edge of certain elements.

You're right about that, but I'm planning to make all interactable things with black borders, and all none-interactable with a screentone that is slightly darker as it's darkest shad (when that is pitch-black I'll use an other colour when necissary).

The way the leaves are blue when in shadow looks really nice. It looks odd, however, that the trunk doesn't do the same. Might I suggest you create 'warm' trees and 'cold' trees?

I would add bluish shadow to the trunk to create a colder tree, and a warm golden colour for the shadow of the leaves of the warm, sunset tree. By selective use of the trees you could give create different atmospheres / times of day.

You're right about that. I'll look into it!

I'll be working on an improved version for now, it won't take very long!

[monkey_05_06]

This is a very nice tree. Wonderful job.

[buloght]

I agree with what has been said, the tree rocks. Your graphics are going from strength to strength and you really capture the SNES-RPG charm in your sprites, tiles and objects. I can't wait to see how your game is turning out .

I agree with ali on the blueish shadows on the treetrunk.

[Aėrendyll (formerly Yurina)]

Ding, ding, ding! Update!

I improved the shadows of the treetrunk!

Here's the result:



I hope it turned out well enough...

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,
~Yurina

EDIT: Before I forget: thanks buloght and monkey_05_06!

[EagerMind]

Nice looking tree, and sprite!

Now that you've darkened the shadows at the top of the tree trunk, I'm wondering if maybe it would look a little better if you also darkened them a little at the bottom around the roots. Not much, just a few pixels. It might give a little better sense of depth.

[Aėrendyll (formerly Yurina)]

Nice looking tree, and sprite!

Now that you've darkened the shadows at the top of the tree trunk, I'm wondering if maybe it would look a little better if you also darkened them a little at the bottom around the roots. Not much, just a few pixels. It might give a little better sense of depth.

I'm on it!

EDIT: Within a minute I made this:



EDIT 2: Since my USB-stick is six feet under, I uploaded the wrong thing a few secs ago. Sorry for that...

Is this what you meant?

[EagerMind]

Yeah. I guess there's not much difference, but I think maybe its a slight improvement.

[MashPotato]

I just have to say, that exploding puffball of a tree is adorable ^_^  The shadows on the tree trunk could still be a little colder to match the leaves, though.

[Aėrendyll (formerly Yurina)]

The shadows on the tree trunk could still be a little colder to match the leaves, though.

Heh. I use this kind of contrast at purpose: I just love it the way it looks now. Maybe I'll post other versions or completely different trees in the future, but I'm satisfied now.

And I'll try to start the game-in-production thread ASAP, but my coder is temporarily away, so that'll have to wait.

Until next time,
~Yurina