Small Character Animation
Printed From: Pixel Joint
Category: Pixel Art
Forum Name: WIP (Work In Progress)
Forum Discription: Get crits and comments on your pixel WIPs and other art too!
URL: https://pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12824
Printed Date: 11 September 2025 at 8:10pm
Topic: Small Character Animation
Posted By: 8BitGinno
Subject: Small Character Animation
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 11:32am
|
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.  |
Replies:
Posted By: kevink
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 12:05pm
| He just looks like he's not trying to fall. |
Posted By: ellie-is
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 12:12pm
| I think his legs should move forward a little more. Arms look nice. |
Posted By: 8BitGinno
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 12:36pm
|
Originally posted by kevink He just looks like he's not trying to fall. Well he is supposed to be leaning a bit forward. Maybe member_profile.asp?PF=16581&FID=8 - lucas_irineu 's advice to move his legs a bit forward will fix it? |
Posted By: neofotistou
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 1:18pm
|
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. |
Posted By: 8BitGinno
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 4:12pm
|
Originally posted by neofotistou 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. He's lumberjack! You take that back!  Ahem.. Anyway, I took your guys' advice.  Looking better? |
Posted By: Qemist
Date Posted: 23 August 2011 at 4:38pm
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  |
Posted By: Wayne
Date Posted: 24 August 2011 at 12:03am
|
Very cute. I think it's fine the way it is but if you're feeling experimental...
...you may want to try see how it looks if his right arm is raised just a pixel higher when in the back position... it's nit-picky but this would help the arc on the arm so when it swings, it doesn't appear to be swinging this way: /\ down-up-down, like a arch but instead appear as if swinging this way: \/ up-down-up, like a swing pendulum or arm Also, as an experiment, you may want to try see how the character would look if the body moved just up and down (like mario or megaman) as opposed to diagonal. Just as an experiment of course... The way you have it may be better than the up-down... just throwing it out there. |
Posted By: 8BitGinno
Date Posted: 24 August 2011 at 2:43am
|
@ 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? |
Posted By: r1k
Date Posted: 24 August 2011 at 10:16am
|
maybe 6 frames for the legs would be better. Right now its basically 2 frames (legs apart, legs together), and the second set of 2 frames is nearly identical. With 6 frames you could perhaps fix that. Seems to make sense in my head, but Im not really an animator. Anyways, it looks good, but would be better if the legs wre a bit smoother. I think the one with the head bob is better. |
Posted By: 8BitGinno
Date Posted: 24 August 2011 at 10:52am
|
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. |
Posted By: jambox_josh
Date Posted: 25 August 2011 at 11:36am
| The head bob definately helps add the appearance of running instead of power walking! maybe a verrrrry slight extra motion to the head in the Z-axis would make this more fluid, as it stands the body and head animation are sort of disconnect. |
Posted By: ellie-is
Date Posted: 25 August 2011 at 1:45pm
|
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. |
Posted By: 8BitGinno
Date Posted: 26 August 2011 at 8:08pm
|
So here's a lil' update: My client that I'm making the character for wanted him to be less "in profile" and to be more "power walking" than running so I had to redo him. And here's the result:  And I'm killing myself trying to animate him. Now he just looks to rigid. I need him done in 3 frames, so it's been quite a challenge. Anyway, here goes another attempt.  |
Posted By: jalonso
Date Posted: 26 August 2011 at 8:27pm
|
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 >>> ../files/icons/kill_all_humans.gif">
 ------------- |
Posted By: Qemist
Date Posted: 27 August 2011 at 4:10am
| Really cool sprite there Jalonso! |
Posted By: Wayne
Date Posted: 27 August 2011 at 6:02am
|
Originally posted by jalonso
Sometimes a 'weak' animation ends up with more personality and character than smooth ones >>> 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. :) |