Tutorial: Fake Shots Making (Advanced)

Fat Cat Lim · May 26, 2001

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.

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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 Edit, then Copy 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 Edit, Paste, As New Layer).

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 Layers, then click on Layer 1 - "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 Layers menu and clicking Layer 3 - "Layer2") but this time, go to Arrange and then Bring 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 Layers, Arrange commands mean the following:

Bring to Top = like it the name says, brings the selected layer to the top of the other layers.

Move Up = moves the selected layer one level above. For e.g.

Background, Layer1, Layer2, Layer3, Layer4

If I Move Up Layer2, the new position will be:

Background, Layer1, Layer3, Layer2, Layer4

Move Down = moves the selected layer one level below. Using the same example with Layer2, the new position would be:

Background, Layer2, Layer1, Layer3, Layer4

Sent 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 Image, Mirror...

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...

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Fat Cat Lim

[ May 26, 2001: Message edited by: Fat Cat Lim ]

Fat Cat Lim · May 27, 2001

Right, now that we have our main character sprites positioned the way that we want, it's time now to move on to the lifebars. Open up your lifebar sprite which you've captured from KOF99. As you can see, we will need to get rid of the Terry's head together along with his name and replace it with a Yashiro's head from KOF98. How do we go about it?

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv19.gif

First, use the 'Dropper' tool (circled in red) and left-click on the Blue colour in the first player character picture while right-clicking on the pink background. What you've done is to designate both colours as the foreground and background colours respectively. You can tell by noticing the colour toolbox on the right.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv20.gif

Now let's work with the KOF99 lifebar sprite. Apparently, we don't want the Terry character picture sprite or his name there. So use the 'Eraser' tool (circled in red). Let's get rid of the "2 HITS" sign while we're at it. Remember that if it seems too small for you, you can always use the 'Zoom' function to get a closeup on your picture.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv21.gif

Right, so we're now left with a KOF99 lifebar sprite minus the Terry Character picture and his name. Now how do we replace it with Yashiro's name and head?

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv22.gif

Open up the file where you saved Yashiro's head. Zoom on it, then delete the character picture border and blue area surrounding Yashiro. *hint* Using the 'Magic Wand' tool makes the job faster.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv23.gif

Once that's done, select an area around Yashiro's head using the 'Selection' tool.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv24.gif

Now that his head is selected, create a new image by clicking on the 'New' button (circled in red). A smaller window will pop up and ask you to determine the new image dimensions before continuing. Enter 320 in Width and 240 in Height, with "Background colour" as the background colour, shown as below.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv25.gif

What this does is create a new image (Image1) of size 320X240 with a pink background, which you have designated earlier. Like so.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv26.gif

Go back to the Yashiro's head and this time, copy (Ctrl+C) or cut it (Ctrl+X). Notice that you don't have to reselect it because the selection marquee is still visible.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv27.gif

Now go back to the new image you created (Image1) and paste the Yashiro character picture as a new layer (Ctrl+L). What happened? Well, the Yashiro's head is now Layer1 on the pink Background.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv28.gif

Let's return to the KOF99 lifebar sprite that we edited earlier. Select the whole image (Ctrl+A, or go to Selections, Select All), then copy/cut the image.
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv29.gif

Then, return to the Image1 window (the pink Background with Yashiro's character picture on it) and paste as a new layer (Ctrl+L). This is what you should get.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv30.gif

But hang on, where's Yashiro's head?! @_@;; Not to worry. He's merely behind the KOF99 lifebar sprite, which is now Layer2. So this means that Layer2 is above Layer1. But how do we get to view Yashiro's head again? Simple. Since you're now working with Layer2 (the KOF99 Lifebar sprite), use the 'Magic Wand' tool to select the pink area within Layer2.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv31.gif

However, notice that not all of the pink area is selected. So to select all of the pink area in every crevice within Layer2, go to Selections, Modify, Select Similar.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv32.gif

Now, all of the pink area within Layer2 is selected. What do you do with it? Delete it! And voila, Yashiro's head should appear again!

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv33.gif
http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv34.gif

Great! Now that we can see Yashiro's head again, we can position it in the character border of the KOF99 lifebar sprite! First deselect the marquee by right-clicking. Then, use the 'Mover' tool to move Yashiro's head to the lifebar.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv35.gif

Now, all we have to do is Merge the layers so that we can start trimming the character border and fill in the colour. To Merge, Go to Layers, Merge, Merge All (Flatten).

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv36.gif

What has happened? Now, all of your layers within Image1 has merged and become part of the background. This means that you can't move or rearrange the layers anymore. So now, let's trim Yashiro's head using the 'Eraser' tool.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv37.gif

Next, we need to fill in the character borders with the First player colour. Remember earlier on I asked you to use the 'Dropper' tool to designate the foreground and background colours? Now use the 'Flood Fill' tool (circled in red) to fill in the blue colour foreground.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv38.gif

So what do we now have? A KOF99 lifebar sprite with Yashiro's head in it! Sweet! *^_^*

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv39.gif

Great! Now all we have to do is...err...hold on one sec. ^_^;; We're missing something, aren't we? Right. His NAME. Well, don't panic. We can still fit it in. Now obviously, Yashiro's not in KOF99 and we're using a KOF99 lifebar theme. We can either create from scratch using the KOF99 fonts (which I have already prepared in advanced here, together along with some KOF98 and KOF97 fonts),

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/koffonts.gif

Or we can grab Yashiro's name from KOF98, and change its colour to the KOF99 theme, using the 'Dropper' to pick out the KOF99 font colours and replace it using the 'Flood Fill' tool.

I've made Yashiro's name from scratch using the KOF99 fonts in Windows Paint. Then, I pasted it as a new layer (Ctrl+L) on the KOF99 lifebar sprite and Merged it again. Leaving me with this...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv40.gif

As you can see, we're nearly finished here. So all we have to do now is to select the whole image of Image1, copy/cut it...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv41.gif

... and paste it as a new layer (Ctrl+L) on the main character sprites (motw1).

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv42.gif

Now the KOF99 lifebar sprite (Layer4) is above all the other layers (main character sprites). So what do you do? Get rid of the pink area within Layer4, by using the 'Magic Wand', left-clicking on the pink area, then Selections, Modify, Select Similar to select the unselected pink areas like so...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/tuteadv43.gif

Then FINALLY, DELETE IT!!! You're finally left with the fake shot you created! Now all you have to do is Merge all the layers to complete the fake shot making steps and save it as a gif file, which the end result is:

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/tutorials/finalversion.gif

And that's all folks! ^_^

*faints*

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Fat Cat Lim

[ May 27, 2001: Message edited by: Fat Cat Lim ]

chohan · May 28, 2001

Wow FCL, thats a cool FAQ, I was planning to learn this stuff, might eswell start right now <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> First need to get the emulator. Ill try to exact copy your image. Going to start tomorrow on it <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Cho

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