Hey guys,

So I'm in the process of making a character for a game. I'm somewhat new to animated sprites.

Anyway, thoughts on him?


And here are all the frames.



Edited by 8BitGinno - 23 August 2011 at 11:53am

I think his legs should move forward a little more. Arms look nice.

Yes, I think it will fix it. You are right that running is like falling.
But think of what you do when you fall: you put one foot forward, to steady yourself.

This is what happens in running too. Your forward leg position is too vertical. You have to make the front leg go totally diagonal \ .
Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REO2D239tdk

Cute burglar by the way.


Edited by neofotistou - 23 August 2011 at 1:19pm

Looking better. At first I tought you only had 2 frames or so but the arm seems to be moving well while the legs need more angles? Im not good at this stuff myself but felt like replying

@ Qemist
Yeah, the legs are 4 frames as well but don't look as smooth for some reason.

And now that I look at my second try it looks like he's power walking, not running. Hrmmm..

@ Wayne
Yeah, I think I'll play around with it a bit more.



And... I'll just edit this post instead of double posting.

I almost completely redid him. Here are two styles: One with the diagonal head bobbing and one without.


Thoughts? Which is better? Do they still need to be improved?


Edited by 8BitGinno - 24 August 2011 at 5:01am

Yeah, I like the head bobbing as well.

As for the frame number, I have to keep it short since it's for a game. I'd love to do more frames for smoother animation, but I've got a workload ahead of me.


Edited by 8BitGinno - 24 August 2011 at 3:27pm

Eight is usually a good number of frames for animation. If you look up idleworm's walking cycle tutorial you might find some good tips for this run here. Running is just a more exaggerated and faster walk.

So far your animation is not bad, you just need some inbetweens. Add what happens between the middle frame and the ones where he has his leg extended. That would help to make it smoother and more like a run.

I think it looks fine, but I thought the first version did too
Advice: Don't 'over-sweat' the player sprite for now. Use him as a placeholder and develop other needed assets. Once you have some BG tiles, other enemies and stuff that will show you what or even if any needed changes are required for the player sprite. Especially, as the sprite has a 3 frame limit.
By working a bit more dynamically you can resist the urge to self-nitpick and over analyze.
Sometimes a 'weak' animation ends up with more personality and character than smooth ones >>>


Edited by jalonso - 26 August 2011 at 8:32pm

I agree. Sometimes simplicity is what gives sprites their charm.

EDIT: By the way, it doesn't seem to matter now that the direction has changed but sorry I suggested the non-head bob version. I wasn't sure if it would make it better but thought I'd mention it since it sometimes isolating/simplifing motion helps in situations where 2-4 frame cycles are played at higher frame rates than intended. If you ever return to the run (the head bob diagonal one), watch out for how the left arm swinging back "sticks" to the silhouette compared to the previous version.

In your new 3/4 version, your walk might feel better in motion if your foot "passing" pose has one leg off the ground, leg bent, as it moves forward.

Good luck with your assignment. :)

Edited by Wayne - 27 August 2011 at 6:22am