Topic: Castlevania: SOTN HACKED: sprite assistance thread.

[Esco]

Well normally I would not just make another thread like this for the hack, but in this case since I know I will need to use this things SEVERAL times I figured why not.

My issue is this: I have a very nice looking sprite that was made for the hack for Alucard's katana swords. The problem that me and my talented artist are having is that I cannot seem to describe for him what exactly my issue with it is. All I can say is that the legs seem to look off compared to the rest of the sprite.



I think that everything looks great, except for the legs themselves. They just don't seem to fit in, but I cannot describe why.

Can anyone better describe what might be wrong with it? I am not an artist so I do not know any of the terminology, or how to describe what needs to be done with it.

P.S. Pay no attention to the sword and sheath; they are only placeholders for now.

[BMC_War Machine]

Hey dude, i dont mean to go off topic but i have a question for you: i watched your vid on youtube with the slogra gaibon fight, how did you make the onion skin work for alucard? i havent found any programs that can do that or at least i dont know of any.  and as far as the alucard animation with the attack, i think it looks good as is dude but thats just my opinion.  keep it up dude!

[BullockDS]

Well, this is just me, but it seems kinda out of place for Alucard's legs to not move or turn in any way at all. Maybe having his legs turn ever so slightly forward during the attack could make the difference; as of now, the legs just staying perfectly still seems pretty stiff.

[KaZudra]

The legs have to show Shift of balance to actually show that Alucard is actually swinging the sword.
Right now the legs are throwing the whole thing off.

[Esco]

Sorry about the dead link; the pic is back up now. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions thus far. Can anyone come up with some more specific suggestions for the legs? I am happy with the rest, but I think that the legs still need some changes.

[X]

You could always try watching videos of combatants practicing with samurai swordplay. It would be a really good reference strategy and you can get the feel for how you want Alucard to behave whilst swinging a Katana around.

[Esco]

Here is the latest one:



If anyone is going to critique it, please be specific. Sorry, but the comments thus far are just way too vague to truly be useful. 

[BullockDS]

It's good to see some leg movement, which is a plus. Unfortunately, since it's just the same left leg (our right) shifted forward a few pixels, it still looks awkward; the leg should rotate and move moreso than just shift.

[Inccubus]

OK. Having a katana of my own and having practiced quick draw in the mirror for some time I think I can tell you exactly the issue with this sprite. The stance is way too stiff and unanimated. When a real person does this sort of strike correctly the legs should spread and bend slightly while the torso turns to reach for the sword. Then the torso should turn along with the arm while performing the strike.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

As other people have pointed out, the problem is:
-the sprite's center of gravity is too high (spread the legs a little, maybe lower the overall sprite by a pixel or two)
-The movement of the legs. They need to shift and rotate mostly in place, depending on how dynamic the swing is supposed to be.

[Esco]

As other people have pointed out, the problem is:
-the sprite's center of gravity is too high (spread the legs a little, maybe lower the overall sprite by a pixel or two)
-The movement of the legs. They need to shift and rotate mostly in place, depending on how dynamic the swing is supposed to be.

All right. Thanks for being so specific; it helped a LOT. You too incubus! Here is the newest one:



Other than some slight clean up, does anyone have any other critiques?

[KaZudra]

All right. Thanks for being so specific; it helped a LOT. You too incubus! Here is the newest one:



Other than some slight clean up, does anyone have any other critiques?

a slight turn in the torso would perfect the animation

[Inccubus]

That's waaay better, now.

[Pemburu Vampir]

Something is wrong with his head, it looks too big or maybe it's his body that's too small.