How to make a rain sprite?

[xenogia]

Hi guys,

I am using the particle engine script and I want to change the rain sprite, I was wondering what is the best technique to make such a small sprite look good.  Currently I am using GIMP for artwork, and I just can't seem to make anything good.  Any ideas?

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Well, I would say to post an image of what you've done and then this could be moved to the CL where you could get help, but if you haven't made an attempt yet there are a few ways you can go about it:

1.  Static sprite 'cluster' of randomly sized rain drops.  For best results you'll want these to all be vertical drops.

2.  Raindrops of different sizes loaded randomly.  I'm not sure if the particle engine you're using allows this or not, but it would give the better result of the two.

As far as coloring goes, stick with a more neutral color range.  Saturated blues never look right, even transparent, so go for a more grey-blue or grey-blue purple that will resemble actual rain better.  You can use a subtle gradient if you like or leave the drops all one color, though I find gradients to look a bit nicer when made transparent.

[Stupot]

I'm sure it would be possible to script it so that the larger drops (closer to the camera) fall more quickly and the smaller ones (further away) fall more slowly, giving a greater sense of depth.  I wonder how easy this would be?

[xenogia]

I'll play around with it and see what I can do.