Finally... => Creative Projects => Topic started by: Rose on August 24, 2017, 10:58:25 am
Title: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: Rose on August 24, 2017, 10:58:25 am
Okay, so here's the deal. I'm working on a program that shows fortresses in glorious 3D, with creatures all shown as sprites, colored and scaled appropriately, as shown in exhibit A: (http://i.imgur.com/hwivsF3.png)
Problem is, I have artwork for the civilized races, a couple animals and scary beasts, and that's about it.
That's why I'm asking for help.
I'm not much of an artist (much more of a programmer) but we have plenty of great artists here that would definitely be up to the task, if willing.
How it works:
All sprites in Armok Vision are made up of one or more layers that can optionally be colored and turned on/off depending on what the creature is wearing, or hairstyle, etc.
The whole collection is then scaled according to the size of the creature, according to whatever base size is written down as being the base size of the creature. For example: I re-use much of the same sprites for humans, elfs, goblins, and elephant-men, with the base size of the sprite being the same for all of them (Slightly smaller than a dwarf, because they're drawn slightly smaller than how the dwarf is drawn) but then the sprite is scaled up a little for humans, a little less for goblins and elves, and a lot for elephant men.
Not all sprites need layers, though, but for creatures that can have different variations in skin or hair color, it gives some nice variation.
For coordination, I've made a sheet with all the creatures in DF, found here:
Also bump, because there's 766 different creatures in the game, and one man can't do all of them.
Title: Re: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: bloop_bleep on September 06, 2017, 01:56:05 pm
Could I try? I can't commit to anything, but it seems like a nice side-project. Could you tell me the specifics, like what size to make it and any additional information I need to provide?
Title: Re: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: Rose on September 06, 2017, 02:13:33 pm
Dwarfs are drawn on a 256x256 sprite, so you can use that as a base for sizing. If you're drawing something much larger than a dwarf, you can use a bigger sprite, and the reverse for something smaller. In the end, I scale them proportional to the area in pixels compared to that of a dwarf.
If you want the sprite to take the colors from DF (in case the animal in DF varies color) then you should make it near grayscale (you can add some coloring, like yellowish hilights and bluish shadows look nice). 128 gray should be the primary color in that case, Otherwise, use whatever colors you want.
A thick black outline helps sprites still be readable when far away, so that's desired. See the dwarf sprites as an example.
Title: Re: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: bloop_bleep on September 06, 2017, 02:17:57 pm
Cool! I'll take keas, since they seem pretty common in fortresses.
Title: Re: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: Dorsidwarf on September 07, 2017, 04:47:23 am
(https://i.imgur.com/QuZDvKR.png) I'm sure this isnt up to your high standards (those are all really nice wow)
but "Angel duck" made me laugh. A lot.
Title: Re: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: Rose on September 07, 2017, 07:24:20 am
Yeah, that's any vault guardian that's duck shaped.
Honestly, I love it.
Title: Re: I need creature sprites for Armok Vision!
Post by: Dorsidwarf on September 07, 2017, 04:19:21 pm
Its fearfully messy cause im in a hurry but look its Bert the giant
If you want to try some artwork, just PM me your email, and I can give you write access, and you can claim whichever sprite you want to do.
Hey! I'm think (and work) about a three years for new tileset... Shortly - i want to make a big tiles (was started from 40x40). About a month i really want to make a Stonesense graphics. As are you, i'm not very good at drawing, i'm creative man with spread skills of programmer. And now about a week i was find good (as i think) way to realise that. At first I need a curves, don't pixels to realise that plan. Today I did find your topic. I recommend you ask for curves arts. If you have a curves you may select a size that you need. After some pixelhunting you will receive what you need finally.
P.S. Sorry, I'm not so good at english.
P.P.S. My last example of dwarves.png below in spoiler