Post by: YoZangWu on January 21, 2015, 12:55:06 AM
So I have noticed on several sites many people have requested Kefka. This would be the first character I would b undertakin and was curious would this b a bit much of an undertakin for a very first charcater?
This would b hand drawn and not a rip from a previous game so needless to say, will require ALOT of drawings.. ???
I figured it would b best to ask those whom had experience with character creation.
extremely sketchy concept.. threw together to get an idea what i am workin wit
according to MUGEN community... is this a go?
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/concept%20art%20org/draft-3.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/concept%20art%20org/draft-3.png.html)
Post by: supa2520 on January 21, 2015, 07:42:10 AM
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 21, 2015, 07:56:36 AM
If you will going to hand draw it, I have some suggestions:
- Draws it at the double size of a normal character (you can use MVC Ryu or Cyclops as the "normal character" reference size), so it will look HD when you bring it to mugen
- To avoid color loss, I suggest you to use hard brushes instead of soft ones, because this creates too much color tones and this will make everything hard. You can antialias the edges with hard brushes on brighter/darker tones.
If you need some references, look at this:
http://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters4/heart-a.html (http://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters4/heart-a.html)
http://www.fightersgeneration.com/games/hokutonoken.html (http://www.fightersgeneration.com/games/hokutonoken.html)
(http://www.fightersgeneration.com/np8/game/aqua7.jpg)
You have nice works in DA :)
Post by: YoZangWu on January 21, 2015, 08:43:06 AM
Also, thank you for the references and the compliments on my DA spot!! ;)
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 21, 2015, 08:48:27 AM
Some other games, like SF HD, uses the character 4x times bigger than a normal character, but I don't think its needed. 2x is enough.
Post by: YoZangWu on January 21, 2015, 08:51:31 AM
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 21, 2015, 09:07:04 AM
Ah, when drawing the character, you should make him face to the right, not the left, ok?
Post by: YoZangWu on January 21, 2015, 09:08:36 AM
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 21, 2015, 09:16:18 AM
Post by: Saber Alter on January 21, 2015, 09:58:33 AM
Post by: YoZangWu on January 21, 2015, 10:11:21 AM
Post by: YoZangWu on January 27, 2015, 02:16:47 AM
So went through a couple of sketches and think im going with:
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/kefka-draft2.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/kefka-draft2.png.html)
ROUGH DRAFT! - Yes this is very sketchy but I think this is what I will start with the idle .
I think I might tweak the hands though, now looking at them, they seem a bit weird
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 27, 2015, 06:42:58 AM
And remember to use hard edge brushes, because soft brushes creates too much tones.
Post by: YoZangWu on January 27, 2015, 08:35:51 AM
Again this is just to get an idea of where to go with this. Now that I know the sizes I should be working wit, I will be redrawing it.
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 27, 2015, 09:00:08 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/0UDSGjL.gif)
(http://i.imgur.com/YP5PRPB.gif)
Both brushes are 1px. The left is a pencil and the right is a brush with 100% hardness, but it still creates anti-alias.
You should use the one at left. The left one has only 2 colors, the right one has...137.
Post by: YoZangWu on January 27, 2015, 09:29:34 AM
Post by: YoZangWu on January 28, 2015, 12:16:58 AM
So this is 300x300 is this a good size to work with? He basically fills the area so is that still too big? The sizing is the most confusing part for me... ???
If this is good, what size would MUGEN be set at? 640x480 ?
Also used Pencil tool only ( why it looks so rough )
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/kefka-doom-idle4.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/kefka-doom-idle4.png.html)
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 28, 2015, 06:46:48 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/KdMDkTP.png)
The size is a tad big. It would work better using a 0.45 scale, but this would make some pixels to be erased when scaled.
I've scaled the sprite to 250x250 and its perfect to me
(http://i.imgur.com/5vrEZpb.png)
The faults at the stroke are photoshop's fault.
Post by: YoZangWu on January 28, 2015, 08:56:17 AM
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 28, 2015, 09:02:27 AM
Post by: YoZangWu on January 28, 2015, 09:26:31 AM
If the later, how did you achieve this if you don't mind me asking so I can do this going forward? Did you just replace a character's idle stance with the drawing on all frames?
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 28, 2015, 10:09:33 AM
Post by: YoZangWu on January 30, 2015, 12:28:08 AM
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/kefka-250%20pixel.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/kefka-250%20pixel.png.html)
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 30, 2015, 06:51:28 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/XUJsEGQ.png)
Looks good to me. My only concern is the shadow inside his cape (the dark yellow parts). Why its "sharpened edge" or "pointed"? Its the shadow from the "feather" on his head?
Post by: YoZangWu on January 30, 2015, 08:39:23 AM
Any pointers on the animation process rather than draw this entire image over and over again?I am guessing maybe copy paste then move parts of the body slightly per frame. This is how I was going to go about it but if there is a better way, please let me know! :)
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 30, 2015, 08:49:58 AM
(http://www.fightersgeneration.com/characters/m-doom.gif)
About the animation, it would be better to ask to some animators here, like Rage, Loganir, Jmaxx, Verz36, etc.
I will pm those guys.
Post by: Rage on January 30, 2015, 12:27:37 PM
Than you Illusion! The shadows were meant to where the cape ruffled, where it kind of waves. Although I see what you mean they do look a bit sharp, I suppose I could taper this off as it goes up.before i say anything, is this a free drawn character or are you using bases?
Any pointers on the animation process rather than draw this entire image over and over again?I am guessing maybe copy paste then move parts of the body slightly per frame. This is how I was going to go about it but if there is a better way, please let me know! :)
Post by: YoZangWu on January 30, 2015, 12:29:18 PM
Post by: Rage on January 30, 2015, 04:54:58 PM
Now if you are using videos or gifs as a reference Rotoscoping (AKA tracing) is a method to getting those smooth animations you seek. All you do is draw over a video or gif of the animation you wish to mimic.
In photo shop take advantage of your layers. uses layers to help guide your animations. Also an more advance trick and great for custom characters are the use of folders. Example: you have a character wave her hand in front of her face. Cool but later you need that same hand. Now now you have to draw the hand again or copy that layer with the wave and erase the face to get the hand. Well if you draw the hand on a different layer from the face and group them in a folder. Now you can grab that hand quickly for the new animation or to add it to the sprite sheet.
Ok im done for now :-@
Post by: YoZangWu on January 30, 2015, 06:17:51 PM
Now you mentioned the rotoscoping. If I were to use, say for instance, an animated gif. Is there a program that will split the frames or, forgive me if this is basic knowledge or not as I have never tried it, is there an option within Photoshop that will split frames into either layers or a sequenced image?
Post by: O Ilusionista on January 30, 2015, 07:28:38 PM
yes for both cases. you can use this site to extract the gif frames: http://gifmaker.me/exploder/ (http://gifmaker.me/exploder/) its online and free :)
IrFanView ( a free tool) can make it too.
For photoshop, depends of which version do you have. There is an script for that in CS6, for example.
Go to FILE > SCRIPTS > export layers to files
Post by: YoZangWu on March 11, 2015, 12:01:25 AM
If you have any suggestions on at least the animation portion, please feel free to throw your comments, I check on this post readily for any suggestions and/or teachings.
Thank you all for you patience!!
Post by: Ganbare-Lucifer on March 11, 2015, 02:12:17 PM
Perharps an hyper where he could destroy the universe, creating a hell, purgatory and a heaven like in the Final Battle on Final Fantasy VI.
...and the 'playable fighter' must defeat the three forms in order to win the battle.
Post by: YoZangWu on March 12, 2015, 01:46:12 AM
Post by: Ganbare-Lucifer on March 12, 2015, 03:26:08 PM
Whoa Blizzard! I will start with the basics first before jumping into somthin so ambitious! Sounds awesome altho sounds more on the lines of a boss character and I wanted a player that everyone could use on the same playing field. Maybe as a v.20 (Kefka Boss)? Still an awesome suggestion, i will def keep in mind!!! :w00t:
But i'm meaning something with x5 full bar and it's hard to execute.
Also the forms whould be playable, with some twearking to not make them cheap
Post by: YoZangWu on March 12, 2015, 10:07:17 PM
But i'm meaning something with x5 full bar and it's hard to execute.
Also the forms whould be playable, with some twearking to not make them cheap
OHHH ok now I get you. Yes that does sound like a great idea. I did have the idea of his light of judgment, but yours seems a bit better. Perhaps I can still go with mine but as a lower level hyper.
Post by: YoZangWu on March 31, 2015, 11:13:12 PM
Post by: YoZangWu on April 28, 2015, 02:00:06 AM
***Your thoughts??***
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style5.gif)
I know this is taking longer than other people's projects but this is my very first and learning along the way. I am glad for yall patience as this has been alot of work that I know with experience and practice will be simple work...
Post by: YoZangWu on May 20, 2015, 12:01:46 AM
Anyways, this are moving quicker than I expected... I hope you guys like and let me know what you think, really!
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style3.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style3.png.html)
Post by: Rage on May 20, 2015, 01:06:22 AM
ok so I made the base form to work off of - this will be the base for alot of animations (does need a bit of clean up tho)... yea i know it has been bout a month between updates lol^^(PM)^ great work, i want to see more. XD||
Anyways, this are moving quicker than I expected... I hope you guys like and let me know what you think, really!
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style3.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style3.png.html)
Post by: YoZangWu on May 20, 2015, 10:53:16 PM
^^(PM)^ great work, i want to see more. XD||Thank you Rage. Still a learning experience for me, but slowly but surley. ThnX for approvin! Workin n Photoshop, tryin 2 find tha best way 2 get this animation workin properly! :P
Post by: O Ilusionista on June 04, 2015, 02:48:31 PM
ok so I made the base form to work off of - this will be the base for alot of animations (does need a bit of clean up tho)... yea i know it has been bout a month between updates lol
Anyways, this are moving quicker than I expected... I hope you guys like and let me know what you think, really!
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style3.png) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/YoZangWu/media/concept%20art%20org/kefka-idle-style3.png.html)
Yes! Its going in a very good direction!
Post by: DEMONKAI on June 04, 2015, 08:27:12 PM
Those looks hot....second version is fire!
much success to you on finishing him
Post by: YoZangWu on June 16, 2015, 01:26:39 AM
Its a bit off from what I have been doing but while im working on animations, I thought I would work on a stage
here is a VERY sketchy concept of the Warring Triad
lemme know what you think so far :P
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/concept%20art%20org/Warring%20Triad4.png)
Post by: -Whiplash- on June 19, 2015, 05:08:20 AM
Post by: YoZangWu on July 01, 2015, 09:04:34 PM
Dunno if its for Kefka or his stage but either way, Im glad you like!! :D !!!
So Ive been strugglin wit this Kefka animation and has been extremely slowly and seems a bit counter productive. So, Im asking if anyone has any suggestions on sprite animation software that would be great for manually drawing each frame? Photoshop just doesnt feel right and I just think there has to be somthing better out there for this type of work.... Photoshop is great for single images and some amazing artworks but animation... there its lacking :(
granted Im getting some work but I just feel like there can be somthin else out there thatll get things moving quicker
Post by: YoZangWu on July 12, 2015, 02:05:47 AM
So before I totally loose interest and give up all together, I think Ill go this route. I am sorry for all that this might not be 100% custom. I just got to feel like I am getting somwhere with this to keep myself into it. (Later on I may adjust when I find a workable rhythm.)
This will still be custom drawn though, this was never the issue... it has been the animations and how to work with the sprites in PhotoShop....
If anyone has any suggestions on a better method of doing custom animations outside of PhotoShop, please let me know.... I try it a go and possibly go back to 100% custom.
**** even if I do the "Frankensprite" method, it will only be the basics I plan on doing. (walking, block, jump and the so on) but all will be tweaked and drawn to match Kefka and hopefully capture some of his personality****
Post by: YoZangWu on September 07, 2015, 01:53:45 AM
I decided to go a bit more on the cartoon end since many of the other characters seem to be in this route and might fit in a bit better.
I havnt shaded anything yet and not complete as far as animation is concerned but here is a basic ilde stance....
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/YoZangWu/Untitled1.gif)
Once again, this is just a WIP and slowly working in this when I have time... VERY SKETCHY
Im not to crazy about the wind blow on the fur and also not happy wit the cape... things I will work on changing
Post by: TK8314 on September 11, 2015, 09:36:07 PM
Post by: YoZangWu on September 11, 2015, 10:39:19 PM
Kefka huh!? He looks pretty shweet so far! :3
Thank you TK8314! Just started learning Graphicsgale and my first attempt at animation so has some work that needs to be done. I am happier wit this pose and think I will stick with this one.