Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: Akumayo on Fri 30/12/2005 19:07:05

Title: Character Backside Sprite (see front first)
Post by: Akumayo on Fri 30/12/2005 19:07:05
Well, as the subject says, this is my first attempt at a real character (as opposed to a bird's eye view of one) in a very long time.Ã,  I think he looks somewhat okay, but critic on how to perfect him would be most appreciated.Ã,  He is supposed to be a somewhat mysterious guy, who serves as a leader of sorts to his friends.Ã,  The cane/rod thing in the second pose is one of his weapons.Ã,  The metal thing is his other weapon in the third picture.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyingreenishtrenchcoat.PNG)
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithotherweapon.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyingreenishtrenchcoat.PNG)
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithotherweapon.PNG)

-Regards, Akumayo
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: ManicMatt on Fri 30/12/2005 19:25:08
I prefer it to the top down sprites, but I can't actually figure out the head. What is it exactly?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Akumayo on Fri 30/12/2005 19:32:46
I was going for a semi-cartoonish look, so the head has dark brown hair, giant sunglasses, and the mouth/nose are covered by the trenchcoat.  Also, what exactly do you mean:
Quote
I prefer it to the top down sprites

What are the "top down sprites"?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Candle on Fri 30/12/2005 20:17:28
 (as opposed to a bird's eye view of one) = top down sprites
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Akumayo on Fri 30/12/2005 20:20:15
Oh, okay, thanks GBC.Ã,  I get it now, duhÃ,  :P
Yes, it does look nicer than my bird's eye sprites by about x300
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: ManicMatt on Fri 30/12/2005 21:04:39
I think the problem lies in the fact that the sunglasses and the hair are hard to difrentiate (sp) becasue they are both dark colours. Perhaps if the glasses didn't touch the hair? A bit of skin to seperate them?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Akumayo on Fri 30/12/2005 21:17:47
Looks like that could be the problem.Ã,  Here's two alternatives.Ã,  The first (which I prefer) changes the shape of the sunglasses, and the second changes the hair color so that the glasses are more noticable.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyintrenchcoatalternatives.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyintrenchcoatalternatives.PNG)

Which is nicer?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: ManicMatt on Sat 31/12/2005 01:02:03
The one on the left I prefer!

Anything else I can advise on? I'm not good with the foot thing, but it looks like they have one foot pointing sideways for some reason. Would it look better if you just copied the foot on the right, mirrored it and pasted it on the other foot?

You could also give him some fingers?
(unless minimal detail is intentional, then excuse me)
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: mozza on Sat 31/12/2005 03:23:07
I don't know but I think it looks as if I am looking at the character's back. :-\ I think it could be the trench coat or maybe the shape of the head or both. Other than that it looks pretty good.
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Akumayo on Sat 31/12/2005 03:38:45
Here's an update.Ã,  Since I too liked the style on the left (smaller glasses) I went with it for this style.Ã,  In the top frame, his head and coat have been modified for what is hopefully a more obviously forward facing view, as mozza had a good point, it kinda looked like his backside, it also tries out ManicMatt's idea on the feet... I personally think both style's look okay... maybe somewhere inbetween.Ã,  Thoughts?Ã,  The bottom frame is my concept of his backside (still has an un-altered foot concept)

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/alternativeandbacksideforguy.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/alternativeandbacksideforguy.PNG)

Which feet look better?  And is the head more obviously forward facing?  Other comments?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: mozza on Sat 31/12/2005 04:20:32
I think it looks like he is facing forward now which is good ;) but in the back view his left foot is pointing down when I think it should be pointing up. Just see what it looks like.
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Akumayo on Sat 31/12/2005 04:35:08
I couldn't really find a way to fix his foot in the back-view frame, because the pitch of it lies in how you look at it, not the pixels themselves.Ã,  I will work on trying to acheive more depth by shading later, but first, here's my attempt at the "in-between" concept for his feet.Ã,  I like this one more than the frames with the same feet on both sides, he looks more casual here, but that's my opinion.Ã,  EDIT:Ã,  Added another concept, it's him without his coat on.. I know... very rough... but it's still in work.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/frontandbackalternativefoot.PNG)

(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithoutcoaton.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/frontandbackalternativefoot.PNG)

(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithoutcoaton.PNG)

What do you all think of the new foot and coatless view?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sat 31/12/2005 08:05:07
I made a quick paintover and tried to keep it in the style you were going for.

His head is a little smaller and I changed some of the tones to add more contrast.


To make it look even more like he is being viewed from the front you could change the view so he is turned somewhat.

(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/guytrench.gif)
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time
Post by: Akumayo on Sat 31/12/2005 17:10:09
Oo, that does look better, I'll begin revising mine soon.Ã,  The folds at the collar make the most difference in my eyes I think, it makes the view more... real.Ã,  The lock of hair also helps quite a bit I think, like I said, I'll begin revision soon and add some of your ideas.

EDIT:Ã,  Trying to do justice t progz's excellent modifications, I came up with these changes.Ã,  The view on the left is the old one, and the right is the modified one.Ã,  I am very content with these changes.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyintrenchcoatheadmakover.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyintrenchcoatheadmakover.PNG)

I'm still not totally satisfied, but I think this was a great improvement.Ã,  Any more ideas?

EDIT AGAIN:

I went back and tried attaching a collar to the guy, what'dya think now?

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithcoatorguywithcollar.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithcoatorguywithcollar.PNG)

Which one looks better?  Left or right?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (YET ANOTHER EDIT)
Post by: Krysis on Sat 31/12/2005 23:58:16
his head is too big. Looks very unnaturall.
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (YET ANOTHER EDIT)
Post by: MarVelo on Sun 01/01/2006 00:12:17
I like it like this----



(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4209/guyintrenchcoatalternatives9tr.png) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (YET ANOTHER EDIT)
Post by: Akumayo on Sun 01/01/2006 00:18:55
Quote from: taffytom on Sun 01/01/2006 00:12:17
I like it like this----

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4209/guyintrenchcoatalternatives9tr.png) (http://imageshack.us)

Hrm...Ã,  I prefer the new "boxed" glasses style.. and he's not allowed to have a nose, only an optional mouth, and if he has a mouth, it may only be one pixel thick.Ã,  (He's based on a comic character I drew up with some friends)
I'm going to work on the head soon... it is rather... watermelon-like.

EDIT:

Okay, I went back and tried my hand at shrinking his watermelon of a head.Ã,  I think I might have ruined it... but maybe there's still hope.Ã,  Now he kinda looks like Tiny.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithagainmodifiedhead.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithagainmodifiedhead.PNG)

Keep it?  Burn it?  What?  Is it as horrible as I think?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT Smaller Head)
Post by: MarVelo on Sun 01/01/2006 01:51:10
I think you have it, looks nice
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT Smaller Head)
Post by: Akumayo on Sun 01/01/2006 02:02:29
I made a few more modifications (keeping the smaller head style)  I added some German/Russian flags, modified the arms, and tethered the coat at the bottom.Ã,  I feel like it's much closer to completion now... but still something is missing... out of place...

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyalteredstanceandaddedflags.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyalteredstanceandaddedflags.PNG)

Ideas on improvement?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT New style)
Post by: bigrd32 on Sun 01/01/2006 06:32:13
He is starting to look a little like an astronaut (don't know if that's good or bad).  Also, I think if you show the bridge of his nose it will be a little more clear that his face is being covered.
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT New style)
Post by: Akumayo on Sun 01/01/2006 06:38:51
Quote from: bigrd32 on Sun 01/01/2006 06:32:13
He is starting to look a little like an astronaut

Yes... now that I really look at it... yes he is beginning to look like an astronaut...Ã,  great... not exactly what I was aiming at.Ã,  I have some ideas for another makeover... I'll begin working on them tomorrow I guess...Ã,  As for his nose, it's a rule, he's not allowed to have a nose.

EDIT:Ã,  Went back and tried again.Ã,  I think I acheived the anti-astronaut look pretty well in the alternatives below the main.Ã,  In the main I simply gave his weapon back and added eyebrows.Ã,  In the two below, (a) picture, added shaded coller, (b) picture, added unshaded color.Ã,  Which looks better, shaded/unshaded?Ã,  And does he still look like an astronaut or some other odd profetion to anyone?

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithmeannessbackalternatives.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guywithmeannessbackalternatives.PNG)

Which one is nicer?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT (Which One?!))
Post by: ManicMatt on Sun 01/01/2006 20:07:23
I prefer the one on the right, just outta personal preference.

by the way is this character actually russian and german? Does it not take away some of the mystery?
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT (Which One?!))
Post by: MarVelo on Sun 01/01/2006 21:18:27
the patches on the bottom of the coat look awkward, i like the bottom left one
Title: Re: My first attempt at a real character in a LONG time (EDIT (Which One?!))
Post by: Akumayo on Sun 01/01/2006 22:03:23
I was leaning towards the bottom right personally.Ã,  I think I'll remove the patches on the knees, mainly because they'll be hard to animate.Ã,  And Perhaps he should only be german... the russian flag isn't dark enough... I dunno... he was German and Russian in the comic book.Ã,  I might make another paintover, but I'm still not sure about which collar look is better.

EDIT:Ã,  Made more changes (went with unshaded collar) and here's what just might be the finished product.Ã,  Unless someone else has some suggestions of course.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyfinishedmaybe.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/guyfinishedmaybe.PNG)

Any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Character Backside Sprite (see front first)
Post by: Akumayo on Fri 06/01/2006 02:28:24
Okay, using the new sprite, I developed a backside view... and I'm disappointed with it.

x1
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/characterbacksideview.PNG)

x2
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/characterbacksideview.PNG)

How can I improve this?