Losing detail in images

kimberley71 · Mon 09/08/2004 15:45:22

Hi people, I have searched everywhere for an answer and while some topics come close, I haven't found exactly the info I need. So anyway...the question is...how can I prevent my character from becoming blurry when I make her smaller?
I did her on photoshop using layers (just like an onion) and when I resize her to a suitable size for my game which is 16 bit, 640X480 she is unrecognisable...also, I would love a few criticisms on her, as she is my first attempt at a character so if someone could tell me how to make her appear in this box that'd be great.

I have a horrible feeling you are all going to tell me I have to completely redraw her...*cringes*
if so, what size brush should I use (in Photoshop) and what dpi and what size should I start with (what colour underwear?) etc...
Thank you for your help, I am in awe of the artwork and genius of so many I have seen on this fantastic site. (crawl crawl)

Scummbuddy · Mon 09/08/2004 16:09:12

youre funny, stick around.

before you post a reply, there is a link when you are making your reply to "BBCode and smileys reference" there is a link to how to post images on this forum. when youre ready to make a post in the critics lounge to get criticisim on her, you can also check out the sticky thread (near the top) is "Quick Upload Space for AGS Game Screenshots and Midis Here" and follow the instructions to get free space on the web to host the picture, and then link the image in your critics lounge post.

Now, back to your question: what do you mean "blurry"? Do you mean pixely, or is it really fuzzy? Fuzzy would be a problem. Are you using the correct sizing options on your walkable areas? We're here to help you, so maybe a bit more information.

And red lacey underwear please.

Darth Mandarb · Mon 09/08/2004 16:11:45

Well ... resizing is bad!

In Photoshop (to make the resize not blurry):
You go into EDIT > Preferences > General
You'll see an option for Image Interpolation (probably set to Bicubic).Ã,Â Select Nearest Neighbor instead.Ã,Â This'll prevent it from blurring the image on resize.Ã,Â However, it doesn't do nearly as good a job in keeping it looking like your original image.Ã,Â It might save you some work on having to redraw the whole thing because you'll have a better idea of the shape and such.

Tip: Create the characters the size you're going to use them in-game!

dpi isn't important unless you're planning on printing the character!

To post pictures on the forums:
1) don't post it in here, use the Critics Lounge!!
2) [ img ] http://www.locationofimage.com [ /img ] (remove spaces of course)
3) for more help on board posting code go HERE

kimberley71 · Mon 09/08/2004 16:43:12

So resizing is bad... mmmkay

right, yep thought as much. Ah well, it only took a couple of hours to create her, whats a couple more?
Yeah it is reeeeally fuzzy but I think Darth answered my question, I needed to start in that size...is someone putting together a coherent manual that tells u this stuff before u go and do everything the wrong way? Cos, that'd be really cool.
Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated.

I will put my character in the critics lounge, be sure to have a look and tell me what u think, be gentle...it's my first time...

monkey0506 · Mon 09/08/2004 17:04:31

You could try setting the image to indexed color, and then resizing it by a proportional amount. Not sure why, but it seems to prevent blurring for the most part...

jrl2222 · Mon 09/08/2004 17:08:12

If your using photoshop change to index color using exact. then resize the picture to the size you need. Make sure on the image resize screen you set Resample Image to nearest neighbor. You'll have to do some pixel cleanup after but it should get you something useable atleast.

kimberley71 · Mon 09/08/2004 17:08:23

Okay I put the images up in the critics lounge, one just for u Scumbuddy

I accidentally forgot to put the [img] thingies in the one titled "Hey Scumbuddy" so I reposted it and called it "Red Lacy Underwear"

Okay, it is 1:30 in the morning here so I had better put myself to bed.
Thanks Monkey, I will try that tomorrow and let u know how I go.

kimberley71 · Tue 10/08/2004 00:16:57

Okay well I changed to indexed and then tried resizing and set it to nearest neighbour and it just went to a bunch of pixels in the vague shape of my character

I think I just started waaaaaay too big.
Never mind, back to the drawing board. Thanks everyone for your help.

Snarky · Tue 10/08/2004 01:57:35

I don't know for sure, but I can imagine that resizing with "nearest neighbour" doesn't work well for multi-layer images.

Maybe you should try flattening your image before resizing it.

jrl2222 · Tue 10/08/2004 03:51:00

Check out your thread in Critics Lounge. I did a quick resize of your image. It's untouched after resize. I used Index color selective pallette then nearest neighbor. It's not perfect but it gives you a basis to work from.

kimberley71 · Tue 10/08/2004 04:07:58

Thanks Snarky, yeah I flattened the image first, I don't think u can resize if you don't.
Ta for that jrl2222, it looks better than my attempt.

Losing detail in images

monkey0506