Monster Hunter LifeBars

[PsychoticMarik]

Tsunamidusher's topic about Monster Hunter lifebars(over at MugenGuild)inspired me to think about trying to create them.
So here is what I was thinking(The red arrows are pointing to where the character portraits would go).

Here is a bigger picture of the side part.


Im really wanting to give it a go, but when it comes to creating custom lifebars...I have no idea where to start.
I can sprite, but im not really sure how to go about spriting these.

Can anyone tell me what you need to do to create custome lifebars?
I would like to know all the specifics if possible.
Such as how big they need to be, what to do to make sure the timer fonts work, the portraits fit, and the life bars work correctly.
Im not planning on programing it myself...just spriting it.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Post Merge: July 17, 2009, 09:06:56 PMI've made of progress with this lifebar.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9320/monsterhunterlifebar.gif
Any form of feedback is appreciated. 

[SesakaX]

Now that will be cool to have as a life bar!

I was thinking that the portrait space looks small, but maybe the portrait icon can be resized into there pretty nicely, yes?

[Amlethus]

Stylish, keep up the good work.

[PsychoticMarik]

Now that will be cool to have as a life bar!

I was thinking that the portrait space looks small, but maybe the portrait icon can be resized into there pretty nicely, yes?

I suppose so, but I dont know anything about the programing aspect of it.

Stylish, keep up the good work.

Thanks.
It probly needs some more work but I hope I can find a programmer eventually.

[Worksa8]

I'm looking at your signature and thinking:
Maybe not a monster hunter game, but one, well created character. A boss monster maybe....
I dunno, just my thoughts.

[PsychoticMarik]

I know what your saying.
I was thinking the same thing.
I really doubt I'd even be able to find anyone to help make characters for it, so maybe I'll just pick a monster and give it a try.