Tutorial: Basic Sprite Ripping from NeoRageX and Fake Shots Making

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
So you wanna learn how to rip sprites from NeoRageX, eh? Good for you! ^_^ Now, things you're going to need:

NeoRageX 0.6B
Game Roms that you want to sprite rip
Windows Paint


Yes, for this tutorial, you don't need any fancy-schmancy high-tech graphics program on the market to rip sprites and make fake shots (Though they can be extremely time saving). Be warned however, that NeoRageX acts weird with VooDoo 3D card and as a result, when you save your shots in NeoRageX's Shots Factory, the picture would look all weird-looking. Because of this, you'll need to use the F10 button to save your shots.

Please note that these shots were taken without Edge Enhancement on. If you save the shots with Edge Enhancement on, the pictures saved will be 640X480 size and would look blurry if you try to resize them to a smaller size. So I recommend capturing your shots without edge enhancement on, thus the size of your shots would be in 320X240 size.

Let's go!

=========================

Okay, let's say you want to rip a Terry sprite from KOF94 doing his jump D. Now, how do you do so? Simple. First, you need to have the KOF94 game roms. Load the game, then once the game starts and you have positioned Terry the way you like him to be, press the TAB[B/] to return to the main menu, then go to "Shots Factory" You should see a picture like this...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image3.gif

Yay! Our Terry's sprite is there! But wait, he's surrounded by other sprites as well, such as the lifebars, character names, Yuri, London Bridge, soldiers on horses, Credits, etc. First thing first: let's get rid of the lifebars and character names. Uncheck Front Layer, like so. It will remove the lifebars, character names, lifebars, and the Credits signs at the bottom.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image4.gif

Now that we've removed the lifebars, it's time to find the Terry sprite. See the multi-checked boxes called "Objects" earlier on the left of the "Output" box? Every single checked box there represents a sprite! Now, all you have to do is click on the one by one to find out which is the Terry sprite that you want.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image5.gif

Note that in the "Output" box, the last 2, 3 rows of boxes near the end usually contain the main character sprites, while the first few rows of boxes deal with the background sprites.

You've found your Terry sprite. Good for you! Now, remember the position of the unchecked box that contained the Terry sprite. We'll get back to it later...

Now, see the two options at the bottom of the "Objects" box? "Mark All / Clear"? Click on "Clear" and all the checked boxes in the Objects section becomes unchecked and empty...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image6.gif

...so does the "Output" box next to it, leaving you with a black, empty box. Take it easy! Just click on the "Mark All" option and all the boxes automatically become checked, and the "Output" box is filled with the previous image. Remember: each checked box represents a sprite in the "Output" box. Now, why are we doing this? Because it's easier to remember first where the original Terry sprite was and then later separating it from the other sprites, instead of manually clicking on all the other boxes to uncheck them.

Now, see the unchecked option next to the "Front Layer" option below the "Output" called Alt. Backcolor"? Click on it and the "Output" Box is immediately covered in pink. This will make it easier later for you to remove the Terry sprite, as you'll soon see why.

Remember the position of the Terry sprite box in the "Objects" section? Check that box and now, you have the Terry Bogard sprite surrounded in pink.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image8.gif

Finally! Now all you have to do is save your shot! Click on "Save Shot", like so.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image9.gif

Now, go to Windows Paint, and open up your shot. And VOILA! Your Terry sprite!


To be continued...

Fat Cat Lim

------------------
Mysterious. Debonair. Criminally Insane.
 

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
Now that we have learned how to obtain a particular sprite from a game. Now, how do we make a fake edited shot, comprised of other sprites? Let us say, you want to create a fake shot with Terry Bogard VS Kevin Rian in a Samurai Spirits 2 background. First, obtain the sprites following the same methods mentioned before. To obtain the background, just remove the main character sprites in the 'Objects' box, and the front layer which consists of the lifebars, character portraits, names, and credits.

Then, you need to create a background first to put all the other sprites (Terry, Kevin) in. Open up the Samurai Spirits background.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image11.gif

Next, open up another Windows Paint window and in this window, open up the Terry sprite that you captured earlier. It is best that when working with multiple sprites or images, you open multiple windows so you know what sprites you are working with. Too many open windows can be cluttersome, so at least open up two windows when working with multiple images. The first window will be the background of the fake shot, while the second window would consists the sprite that you want to include in the background.

In the Paint window with the Terry sprite, choose the 'Fill' option, circled in red.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image12.gif

Next, fill all pink areas surrounding the Terry sprite in white (In case you don't know where to find it, it's circled in red. ;p ). Important: It MUST be in white, you will see later on...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image13.gif

Remember, ALL of the pink areas (the Alternate Colour) must be filled with white colour. So remember to magnify your sprite if you're not sure whether you cover completely any small pink areas that you might have missed out. Once you locate them, fill them with white colour as well.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image14.gif

Then, select an area around Terry by choosing the 'Select' option (Upper red circle). IMPORTANT: After you select the area around Terry, take note of the two boxes below the tool box. Select the lower box of the two (lower red circle, and highlighted in blue).

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image15.gif

Next, Copy (or Cut) the image.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image16.gif

Now, go back to the Samurai Spirits background in the first window. Choose the 'Select' option again. See the same two selection boxes again below the tool box? Select the lower box again (lower red circle).

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image17.gif

After that, paste the image that you copied/cut earlier...

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image18.gif

And, what do you get? A Terry sprite on a Samurai Spirits background! Finally! ^_^ Notice that the Terry sprite is not surrounded in white colour. You cannot do this if you had chose a different colour earlier to fill the pink area. And because you chose the second lower box below the tool box, you have made the white areas surrounding Terry transparent.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image19.gif

Note that the Terry sprite is surrounded in a selection marquee (the square box with broken lines). This means that you can move the Terry sprite (the selection marquee will disappear temporarily while you're moving it and will appear again if you stop positioning). Like so.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image20.gif

Important Note: Until you paste another image or remove the marquee selection around Terry, you can still position and move the Terry sprite however you like. However, once the marquee selection is gone, you cannot position or move the Terry sprite anymore. In short, the Terry sprite will become part of the background and become as one image.

This means that whatever fake shot you make using Windows Paint, you have to plan in advance which the order of the sprites you want to add first onto the background. For example, if you want the Terry sprite to be in front of the Kevin sprite, you have to paste the Kevin sprite first, then only can you add the Terry sprite later.

*Those using Graphic Programs such as Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop should not have a problem with these as each sprite they paste onto the background is called a "layer" and until the file is saved, each layer can be moved or positioned.*

Now, open up that Kevin sprite that you obtained earlier. Repeat the same steps (filling, selecting, copying) with the Kevin sprite.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image21.gif

Then, paste the Kevin sprite onto the background with the Terry sprite. Again, note that it is in the selection marquee. That means you can still move/position it around. Also note that the Terry sprite is not in the selection marquee anymore, meaning you can't move/position it anymore.

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image22.gif

Once you are satisfied with the position of the Kevin Rian sprite, remove the selection marquee, and voila! Your first fake shot! ^_^ Go have a beer or an ice-cream to celebrate.
biggrin.gif


http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image23.gif

http://web.one.net.au/~fatcatlim/kofgraphics/Image24.gif

Remember that these are merely the basics of sprite ripping from NeoRageX and making a fake shot. If you want to learn the advanced techniques of adding lifebars, edited character names and the like, just play around with the NeoRageX Shots factory and Windows Paint. Soon, you'll get the hang of making it and it will become much easier.
smile.gif


Good luck!

Fat Cat Lim

------------------
Mysterious. Debonair. Criminally Insane.
 

BioMotor_Unitron

Global Moderator,
20 Year Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2000
Posts
6,160
Hey, thanks for the guide, FCL. I will give it a try when I have some free time.

-BioMotor_Unitron
 

21

n00b
Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Posts
19
Thanks for the info fat cat. I figured out most of the first stuff but I didn't know that you could just fill in the pink background white and make it transparent. And to think all, this time I wasted erasing pixel by pixel by pixel.... Anyways hopefully by next week I'll get my fake shot up. I got the idea written out but I can't decide on the title. Its a tie between "SNK's How to be a Player" and a "A Thin Line between Love and Getting your Ass Whooped."

------------------
THE SMOKERS CREED

Smokers live and smokers die.
But in the end we all get high.

So if in life you don't succeed,

Fuck it all and smoke some weed!
 
Joined
Apr 16, 2001
Posts
20
Hey Fat Cat how did you catch the images of paint and such. I'd be more than happy to make a Callus Conversion Tutorial...but if you don't mind could I put it in here so that people actually read it?

------------------
WHY MUST I BE CURSED OF BECOMING ANOTHER YEAR OLDER?!
 

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
Mick Kensou: I used Paint Shop Pro 6 Capture Shot capability. I run both programs at once, then, after setting a timer on the PSP screen capture, I quickly switch windows and the screen is captured.

As for the Callus Conversion, I suggest you make a new topic instead of putting it this topic for faster reference.

Fat Cat Lim

------------------
Mysterious. Debonair. Criminally Insane.
 

mookystains

Chairman Kaga sez, "Dakis-san's the one who's goin
Joined
May 6, 2001
Posts
2,563
IT works look at the pic i made. Its marou from waku waku 7 Vs. The monkey in the metal slug games! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">


mygame.jpg
 

Ixyon

n00b
Joined
May 11, 2001
Posts
12
So that's why those screenies come out all screwed-up! I need to get a GeForce2!
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
15
FCL! You're the man!!

Hm, in which directory does the PC store the shots we took from NeoRageX when we save it? I can't seem to find any of my shots after saving 'em on NeoRage...
><
 

Robi15

,
20 Year Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2000
Posts
876
Fat Cat Lim, thanks for the info! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
Amm, is it hard to make animated gifs with the sprites? A second episode in the sprite making? Would bee good to know.
 

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
Kula^Diamond: Go to your NeoRageX directory. It should have a directory labelled "Shots". Otherwise, you can designate another directory in Windows for your shots to be saved by typing the full path of the directory you want to save in in the "Directories" option in NeoRageX's main menu.

Robi15: OOOooooh...animated gifs? o_O; You sure you want to learn? Yes, you can use NeoRageX to get the sprites you need to make an animated gif, but it takes more time and patience to make one. It can be quite tiresome.

Plus you might need a more advanced graphics program like Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop.

Fat Cat Lim
 

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
By the way, Robi15, in case you're interested, I can try make a tutorial next weekend when I have the time. Can't do it this weekend, 'cause I'm gonna be busy.

Fat Cat Lim
 

mookystains

Chairman Kaga sez, "Dakis-san's the one who's goin
Joined
May 6, 2001
Posts
2,563
its pretty easy to make animated gifs from that turitol, heres one i made.


chicken.gif


It it from the background of a MOTW stage.

[ May 16, 2001: Message edited by: mookystains ]
 

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
Heh heh. It's easy to make small animated gifs like that chicken from the MOTW background. How about making a 100 frames animated gif of K' doing his SDM heat drive, which you have to individually edit and arrange so that their motions would be sync? <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

I wonder if I dare to make a Yamazaki ani gif doing his HCBx2 +P SDM... <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> I wonder how many days it'll take me...

Fat Cat Lim
 

Fat Cat Lim

Geese's Thug
Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Posts
288
No worries. ^_^ In fact, I credit it to Protogem for teaching this to me in the first place.

Anyone interested in making fake screen shots with an advanced graphics program like Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop? I wouldn't mind making another mini tutorial on one.

Fat Cat Lim
 

Bufa

Crossed Swords Squire
Joined
Apr 11, 2001
Posts
184
Originally posted by Ixyon:
<STRONG>So that's why those screenies come out all screwed-up! I need to get a GeForce2!</STRONG>

yeah, my card (intel810, integrated) screws up Shot Factory screenshots as well. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
 

PrOzErG

Sacrifice is pleasure, , ,
Joined
Jan 7, 2001
Posts
1,553
Originally posted by Bufa:
<STRONG>yeah, my card (intel810, integrated) screws up Shot Factory screenshots as well. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Yes you guys need a better card not the one that comes whit the computer it has to power to do it but sometimes the card is so shit it cant even handle 3-D games, its easy you might wana get a 16mb or 32mb card from a good company it will do the job !!
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
 

Bufa

Crossed Swords Squire
Joined
Apr 11, 2001
Posts
184
i wish i could. the card is integrated. i can't remove it, there's no space to put another one in. the only things that are upgradeable are the RAM, the hard drive, and the one space to put in a cd-rom/dvd-rom/etc drive.

(the pc i'm using is an iPAQ, and i'm going to kill my brother for buying it.)
 
Top