Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

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Dypo deLina
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Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Dypo deLina »

Some of you may remember that I once promised to write up an animation tutorial in GIMP...

...If not, that doesn't matter. I'm writing it up anyway, as it seems that some spriters, like GotMLK7, for example, may need it in the future. :nod:

Well, let's get this party tutorial started! :D

---
First off, let me state something about the program I'm using. Personally, I prefer GIMP 2.6, as I'm more acquainted with it than with later or earlier versions. However, this tutorial should still work, even if you're using earlier or later versions. ;)
(I'll need someone to check whether the above is true, though...)

Step 1. Opening GIMP.

Obviously, we'll start by opening GIMP. (Surprising, isn't it? :XD:)
To do this, simply click on the program on your desktop or wherever you've put it.

Step 2. The Sprite Sheet.

First, you'll need to draw your character. I find it's the easiest to concentrate on drawing a single frame first, but it's really your choice. That said, it's always easier to concentrate on one thing at a time(, unless you're Singi-Chan, that is). :XD:

As an example, I've taken the frontal sketch Singi-Chan made me. I've coloured it, and will now make it into a sheet. To do this, I've opened the first frame in Paint. After all, Paint is the easiest to work with when you're making a sprite sheet, simply because it's so simplistic.
Now, all you have to do, is move the sprite to the left, and copy it. Before you copy it, however, make sure you expand your working space a bit by lengthening it on the right.
Spoiler : :
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Spoiler : :
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If you've done that, copy the first frame and paste it on the right of your sprite.
Spoiler : :
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Repeat this process until you have five frames, as that is all you need for the blinking animation. We'll work on the talking sprite after that.

Personally, I prefer making the background green as well, but that's your choice.
Spoiler : :
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So now we have five frames, as you can see. Now all is ready for the animation process. I'm using Yamija's "trick" for this, which can also be found in Singi-Chan's art thread. For those who are too lazy to look it up, however, I'll explain it in detail.

Oh, and before I forget: Start with the second frame. You'll be needing the first frame in the sprite sheet as well.
Spoiler : :
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First and foremost, I recommend you zoom in sufficiently, allowing you to see it more easily. Then, simply select the area from above the eyelids until the middle part of the eye...
Spoiler : :
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...and move it down a little bit.
Spoiler : :
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You can probably see some of the area above it has vanished now, To fix this, simply fill it up with the appropriate skin colour.
Spoiler : :
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After that, repeat this process for the other eye, and be sure to fix problems that come up.
Spoiler : :
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Congratulations! You have now finished the second frame of your animation! We're not done yet, however...

That's right. We still have three more frames to go. Or one, actually. You can leave the last frame as it is, and you can copy the second frame to make the fourth. Just paste it on top of it.

Which means we only have to do the third frame now. Actually, this step is very simple.
Just erase everything up to the lowest part of the eyes...
Spoiler : :
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You'll notice some white parts from the eye are still present now. To fix this, replace the white with one of the darker (brown) colours.
Spoiler : :
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Repeat this process for the other eye, and... Ta-dah~! You've finished the third frame! :D
Spoiler : :
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Now, if you did it correctly, it should resemble this:
Spoiler : :
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---

Aaaaand that's all for now. I'll work on the actual animations later. :)
Last edited by Dypo deLina on Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by gotMLK7 »

I know you haven't really done the animating tutorial yet, but I was wondering, how many milliseconds do you move between frames?
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Hersh/Fiendy has credit for the amazing GiGi pics and enigma has credit for the adorable Kenshin Mega Man sprite!

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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Dypo deLina »

With the blinking frames, I type in (100 ms) and (replace), because I use a sheet. At the last frame, the delay should be (3600 ms). :D
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by gotMLK7 »

How about for a pointing sprite?
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Hersh/Fiendy has credit for the amazing GiGi pics and enigma has credit for the adorable Kenshin Mega Man sprite!

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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Dypo deLina »

A pointing sprite...?

Hmm... 100 ms between each frame, I'd say, with 500 ms at the last frame. :)
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Mimi »

Thank you, Dypo-kun! With this, I can stop relying on others to do my dirty work!sprites!
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Dypo deLina »

You are most welcome, milady. :D

EDIT: Meh, the tutorial is taking longer to write than expected... :random:

Must be because I'm taking all these screenshots... >.>
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Mimi »

:) It will pay off, Dypo-kun~
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Dypo deLina »

Bumping this so newer spriters can see it. D:

I'm not ready to submit it as a finished guide yet, but it could help...
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Tap »

Dypo wrote:Bumping this so newer spriters can see it. D:

I'm not ready to submit it as a finished guide yet, but it could help...
I'll add it into the list once it is complete. :wink:

Also, make sure to spoiler tag your large images so it looks neater. Also, at the moment, some of those images take up the entire screen. :P

I like how's turning out so far! Perhaps you should cover animation timing/framing as well?
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Re: Animation Tutorial in GIMP/MS Paint

Post by Dypo deLina »

That'll all be part of it. :D

I'll try to cover as much as possible. ;)

Also, the spoiler tagging seems useful. I'll add that now.

EDIT: Done. :mrgreen:
チラセ・マギタ
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