Fat Cat Lim
Geese's Thug
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2001
- Posts
- 288
Now that you know the basics of sprite ripping, let us move on to the advanced section, that is making a fake shot which includes lifebars, character portraits, and multiple sprites, and using an advanced graphics program (like Paint Shop Pro) to compile it.
=============================================
Whenever you want to make a fake shot, always make a note of the following:
Background
Characters
Lifebars
Special Effects
It would be wise of you to plan in advanced which characters, background, etc. you want to include in your fake shot. Otherwise, you'd waste time reloading game after game in NeoRageX if you forget to "rip" a particular sprite. These are what I'm going to include in the final version of my fakeshot tutorial:
Background: MOTW Hokotumaru's City Stage
Characters: KOF98 Yashiro, KOF98 Yashiro avatar, KOF99 Bao
Lifebars: KOF99 lifebars
Special Effects: MOTW Hit effect
So this means that I only have to load 3 games: MOTW, KOF98, and KOF99. So after once I load MOTW, I rip the background and the hit effect. Now that I've done that, I go on to load KOF98, grab Yashiro, then finally KOF99, for Bao and the lifebars. Now I don't have to waste any more time reloading from game to game just for a particular sprite. For this 1st part of the tutorial, I'm going to concentrate on adding the main character sprites to the fakeshot before adding the lifebars last.
*Note: In this tutorial, I'll be using Paint Shop Pro Version 6. To Adobe Photoshop users, it shouldn't be too much of a problem following this tutorial since the steps I'll be using in compiling the fake shot will be similar to some of Adobe's Photoshop functions.
First, start your graphics program. Open your Hokotumaru's City Stage sprite from MOTW, which will serve as the Background. It will be the foundation to all your later sprites that will be included in this tutorial.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv01.gif
For our first character sprite, we shall include the Bao sprite from KOF99. Open up the Bao sprite like so. As you noticed, he's surrounded in pink. Also notice that for each different new file you open, the title on the window will be called Background. Ignore that for the moment.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv02.gif
Now, use the 'Selection' (circled in red) tool and select a small area around Bao.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv03.gif
Once you're done, press Ctrl+C (or go to <U>E</U>dit, then <U>C</U>opy if you're unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts) to copy the selected area around Bao.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv04.gif
Go back to your MOTW background and this time, press Ctrl+L (or <U>E</U>dit, <U>P</U>aste, As New <U>L</U>ayer).
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv05.gif
And hey, what do you have? The selection of the Bao sprite over the MOTW background! This Bao sprite shall be now known as Layer1. Notice that Bao is still surrounded in pink and that the window title that previously was titled as Background is now titled Layer1 (circled in red).
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv06.gif
Now, why layers? What is a layer? Think of layers as several sheets of paper with drawings on them. When you pile them up neatly on the table, each sheet of paper represents a layer, where the 1st sheet will be the background, the 2nd sheet as the 1st layer, 3rd sheet as the 2nd layer and so on. That is why the Bao sprite is Layer1, while the MOTW stage is the Background. The best part about layers is that we can arrange them in whatever order we want (except for the background) which you'll soon witness later.
Right. We have the Bao sprite (or Layer1) on the MOTW background. Now you can close that Bao file you had earlier. But hang on one sec! He's still surrounded in pink! Not to worry. Choose the 'Magic Wand' (circled in red), which is a selection tool that select similar colour attributes. Then, click on the pink area surrounding Bao and voila! All of the pink area around Bao is selected.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv07.gif
What do you do with the pink area? Delete it! Which leaves you with a Bao sprite with its own transparent background!
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv08.gif
Sweet! Now, right-click to remove the selection marquee.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv09.gif
"But wait!" you might ask. "In our first tutorial making a fake shot using Windows Paint, removing the selection marquee would mean that the image could not be moved anymore! Will this happen again in Paint Shop Pro?"
The answer? NO
Why? Because Paint Shop Pro is better than Windows Paint. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> The actual reason is because until you merge all the layers, each layer you work with will NOT merge with the Background. The merging process of all the layers you add to the Background will be the last step of the tutorial, which we have some way to go. So, in the meantime, you can still move the Bao sprite (Layer1) around the Background. Choose the 'Mover' tool (circled in red), which allows you to position Layer1 wherever you like.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv10.gif
Now let's do the same with the Hit Effect sprite (Layer2) and Yashiro sprite (Layer3).
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv11.gif
Right! Finally we got the main character sprites on the background. But hang on: something doesn't look right. Yashiro's hitting the back of Bao's head, while the Hit Effect should be in front of Yashiro's leg, not behind it. Let's fix it. This is where the power of layers come in...
Remember the explanation before about each layer as akin to a sheet of paper? Layers' positions are as follows:
Background, Layer1, Layer2, Layer3, Layer4, etc...
But the beauty of layers is that with layers, we can not only move it, but we can also rearrange it in whichever position we like or edit it! To prove my point, here's how I do it. Let's rearrange the Hit Effect sprite so that the Hit Effect sprite will be in front of Yashiro, not behind. Go to the 'Mover' Tool and left-click on the Hit Effect sprite.
Notice that when you clicked on the Hit Effect sprite, the title window immediately changes from Layer3 to Layer2? This is because when you were working with the Yashiro sprite and adding it to the background with the Bao sprite (Layer1) and the Hit Effect sprite (Layer2), it automatically became the 3rd layer of the background, i.e. Layer3. Thus now, Layer1 is the Bao sprite, Layer2 is the Hit Effect sprite while Layer3 is the Yashiro sprite. Go ahead and click on each sprite and everytime you do so, the window title will change depending on the corresponding layer that you're working with.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv12.gif
However, clicking on the MOTW background will not change the window's title nor does it mean that you're working with the background. To work with the background, you have to go to <U>L</U>ayers, then click on Layer <U>1</U> - "Background".
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv13.gif
Now...where were we...Oh yeah! We were supposed to make the Hit Effect sprite (Layer2) be in front of Yashiro (Layer3). So, let's continue, 'kay? ^_^;;
Go back to the Layers Menu once you've left-click on Hit Effect sprite with the 'Mover' tool (or by going to the <U>L</U>ayers menu and clicking Layer <U>3</U> - "Layer2") but this time, go to Arra<U>n</U>ge and then <U>B</U>ring to Top.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv14.gif
As expected, the Hit Effect sprite is on top of the Yashiro sprite.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv15.gif
For reference, the <U>L</U>ayers, Arra<U>n</U>ge commands mean the following:
<U>B</U>ring to Top = like it the name says, brings the selected layer to the top of the other layers.
<U>M</U>ove Up = moves the selected layer one level above. For e.g.
Background, Layer1, Layer2, Layer3, Layer4
If I <U>M</U>ove Up Layer2, the new position will be:
Background, Layer1, Layer3, Layer2, Layer4
M<U>o</U>ve Down = moves the selected layer one level below. Using the same example with Layer2, the new position would be:
Background, Layer2, Layer1, Layer3, Layer4
<U>S</U>ent to Bottom = again, like the name, brings the selected layer to the bottom of the other layers.
We haven't forgotten about the Bao sprite...^_-+ again, left-click on the Bao sprite (Layer1) with the 'Mover' tool and this time, go to <U>I</U>mage, <U>M</U>irror...
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv16.gif
...which flips Bao the other way around...
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv17.gif
...to the other side of the picture. ^_^;; Not to worry: again, you can move Bao back to the position you like using the 'Mover' tool. Like so:
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv18.gif
To be continued...
=============================================
Fat Cat Lim
[ May 26, 2001: Message edited by: Fat Cat Lim ]
=============================================
Whenever you want to make a fake shot, always make a note of the following:
Background
Characters
Lifebars
Special Effects
It would be wise of you to plan in advanced which characters, background, etc. you want to include in your fake shot. Otherwise, you'd waste time reloading game after game in NeoRageX if you forget to "rip" a particular sprite. These are what I'm going to include in the final version of my fakeshot tutorial:
Background: MOTW Hokotumaru's City Stage
Characters: KOF98 Yashiro, KOF98 Yashiro avatar, KOF99 Bao
Lifebars: KOF99 lifebars
Special Effects: MOTW Hit effect
So this means that I only have to load 3 games: MOTW, KOF98, and KOF99. So after once I load MOTW, I rip the background and the hit effect. Now that I've done that, I go on to load KOF98, grab Yashiro, then finally KOF99, for Bao and the lifebars. Now I don't have to waste any more time reloading from game to game just for a particular sprite. For this 1st part of the tutorial, I'm going to concentrate on adding the main character sprites to the fakeshot before adding the lifebars last.
*Note: In this tutorial, I'll be using Paint Shop Pro Version 6. To Adobe Photoshop users, it shouldn't be too much of a problem following this tutorial since the steps I'll be using in compiling the fake shot will be similar to some of Adobe's Photoshop functions.
First, start your graphics program. Open your Hokotumaru's City Stage sprite from MOTW, which will serve as the Background. It will be the foundation to all your later sprites that will be included in this tutorial.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv01.gif
For our first character sprite, we shall include the Bao sprite from KOF99. Open up the Bao sprite like so. As you noticed, he's surrounded in pink. Also notice that for each different new file you open, the title on the window will be called Background. Ignore that for the moment.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv02.gif
Now, use the 'Selection' (circled in red) tool and select a small area around Bao.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv03.gif
Once you're done, press Ctrl+C (or go to <U>E</U>dit, then <U>C</U>opy if you're unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts) to copy the selected area around Bao.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv04.gif
Go back to your MOTW background and this time, press Ctrl+L (or <U>E</U>dit, <U>P</U>aste, As New <U>L</U>ayer).
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv05.gif
And hey, what do you have? The selection of the Bao sprite over the MOTW background! This Bao sprite shall be now known as Layer1. Notice that Bao is still surrounded in pink and that the window title that previously was titled as Background is now titled Layer1 (circled in red).
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv06.gif
Now, why layers? What is a layer? Think of layers as several sheets of paper with drawings on them. When you pile them up neatly on the table, each sheet of paper represents a layer, where the 1st sheet will be the background, the 2nd sheet as the 1st layer, 3rd sheet as the 2nd layer and so on. That is why the Bao sprite is Layer1, while the MOTW stage is the Background. The best part about layers is that we can arrange them in whatever order we want (except for the background) which you'll soon witness later.
Right. We have the Bao sprite (or Layer1) on the MOTW background. Now you can close that Bao file you had earlier. But hang on one sec! He's still surrounded in pink! Not to worry. Choose the 'Magic Wand' (circled in red), which is a selection tool that select similar colour attributes. Then, click on the pink area surrounding Bao and voila! All of the pink area around Bao is selected.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv07.gif
What do you do with the pink area? Delete it! Which leaves you with a Bao sprite with its own transparent background!
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv08.gif
Sweet! Now, right-click to remove the selection marquee.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv09.gif
"But wait!" you might ask. "In our first tutorial making a fake shot using Windows Paint, removing the selection marquee would mean that the image could not be moved anymore! Will this happen again in Paint Shop Pro?"
The answer? NO
Why? Because Paint Shop Pro is better than Windows Paint. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> The actual reason is because until you merge all the layers, each layer you work with will NOT merge with the Background. The merging process of all the layers you add to the Background will be the last step of the tutorial, which we have some way to go. So, in the meantime, you can still move the Bao sprite (Layer1) around the Background. Choose the 'Mover' tool (circled in red), which allows you to position Layer1 wherever you like.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv10.gif
Now let's do the same with the Hit Effect sprite (Layer2) and Yashiro sprite (Layer3).
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv11.gif
Right! Finally we got the main character sprites on the background. But hang on: something doesn't look right. Yashiro's hitting the back of Bao's head, while the Hit Effect should be in front of Yashiro's leg, not behind it. Let's fix it. This is where the power of layers come in...
Remember the explanation before about each layer as akin to a sheet of paper? Layers' positions are as follows:
Background, Layer1, Layer2, Layer3, Layer4, etc...
But the beauty of layers is that with layers, we can not only move it, but we can also rearrange it in whichever position we like or edit it! To prove my point, here's how I do it. Let's rearrange the Hit Effect sprite so that the Hit Effect sprite will be in front of Yashiro, not behind. Go to the 'Mover' Tool and left-click on the Hit Effect sprite.
Notice that when you clicked on the Hit Effect sprite, the title window immediately changes from Layer3 to Layer2? This is because when you were working with the Yashiro sprite and adding it to the background with the Bao sprite (Layer1) and the Hit Effect sprite (Layer2), it automatically became the 3rd layer of the background, i.e. Layer3. Thus now, Layer1 is the Bao sprite, Layer2 is the Hit Effect sprite while Layer3 is the Yashiro sprite. Go ahead and click on each sprite and everytime you do so, the window title will change depending on the corresponding layer that you're working with.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv12.gif
However, clicking on the MOTW background will not change the window's title nor does it mean that you're working with the background. To work with the background, you have to go to <U>L</U>ayers, then click on Layer <U>1</U> - "Background".
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv13.gif
Now...where were we...Oh yeah! We were supposed to make the Hit Effect sprite (Layer2) be in front of Yashiro (Layer3). So, let's continue, 'kay? ^_^;;
Go back to the Layers Menu once you've left-click on Hit Effect sprite with the 'Mover' tool (or by going to the <U>L</U>ayers menu and clicking Layer <U>3</U> - "Layer2") but this time, go to Arra<U>n</U>ge and then <U>B</U>ring to Top.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv14.gif
As expected, the Hit Effect sprite is on top of the Yashiro sprite.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv15.gif
For reference, the <U>L</U>ayers, Arra<U>n</U>ge commands mean the following:
<U>B</U>ring to Top = like it the name says, brings the selected layer to the top of the other layers.
<U>M</U>ove Up = moves the selected layer one level above. For e.g.
Background, Layer1, Layer2, Layer3, Layer4
If I <U>M</U>ove Up Layer2, the new position will be:
Background, Layer1, Layer3, Layer2, Layer4
M<U>o</U>ve Down = moves the selected layer one level below. Using the same example with Layer2, the new position would be:
Background, Layer2, Layer1, Layer3, Layer4
<U>S</U>ent to Bottom = again, like the name, brings the selected layer to the bottom of the other layers.
We haven't forgotten about the Bao sprite...^_-+ again, left-click on the Bao sprite (Layer1) with the 'Mover' tool and this time, go to <U>I</U>mage, <U>M</U>irror...
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv16.gif
...which flips Bao the other way around...
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv17.gif
...to the other side of the picture. ^_^;; Not to worry: again, you can move Bao back to the position you like using the 'Mover' tool. Like so:
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv18.gif
To be continued...
=============================================
Fat Cat Lim
[ May 26, 2001: Message edited by: Fat Cat Lim ]