Using Blender To Create Sprites

[twick87]

I was messing around with blender's camera and found a way to make sprites using it:



This was created entirely using blender 2.6 using irregular buffshadow. I intend to make a new game using this. It looks so much better than pixelized sprites. I might make a "Tomb Raider" clone.

[SuperSonic]

Do you have a tutorial?

[twick87]

Sorry. I do not. Do you know how to use blender? If you do, then it's simple. Create a square room (just a simple square--can be edited to make molding). Create you models (furniture, actors). Change the camera to orthographic, center it, set it to track from an empty at the center and position it above the room. Create your materials (colors & textures). Create a "HEMI" light and clear the rotation. Create a "SPOT" light (shadow only) and set the shadows to "BUFFSHADOW" and make sure it's set to "IRREGULAR". After all of this is done, set the resolution to 640x480 (You can pick a higher res, but you'll need better models). Hit F12 and your room will render. If it shows green in Game-Editor, open the saved image with gimp and flatten it (removes the alpha channel--this way, Game-Editor will calculate the green background as alpha). Or color to alpha the green. Save the image and load it into Game-Editor as an actor. If all goes well, you'll have the perfect room actor.

Note: To render without the green (or whatever color) background, change output to PNG and make sure RGBA is selected.

Example:



I may, perhaps, make a youtube video tutorial. If I have the time. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[twick87]

Creating characters this way will make characters look more "real". Here's a model I've been working on:



Any guesses who it is?

[twick87]

This method is similar to The graphics in "Fallout 2":

[Hblade]

http://gifninja.com/animatedgifs/142046 ... eframe.gif

[Jagmaster]

Have you guys used/heard of the Cycles and Freestyle renderers? I was just playing around with Cycles yesterday, and got some pretty good lighting results. After using it, I don't want to go back! The only issue so far is it does not yet support subsurface scattering (as far as I'm aware) but I'm sure it will be eventually. I was going to post a little demo using the results I got in cycles, but could also make a quick tutorial as well if wanted.

The freestyle renderer is pretty neat for faking 8-bit sprites, I have yet to play with it. It's still in development:

http://www.blendernation.com/2012/05/23/eight-bit-blending/


@twick87
I'm liking that head, but I don't recognize the face, it's familiar though... Keep it up! Can't wait to see it textured.

[twick87]

The head is Anderson Cooper. LOL

[twick87]

I may try the freestyle render engine. It looks pretty cool. I make a lot of cartoons and it would help with some of my other projects.

[Jagmaster]

Ah, yeah! Anderson Cooper, why did I not recognize that?
Now I shall wait and see what role he'll play in a video game

[twick87]

I'm selling that model on an online 3d marketplace. He won't be used in any of my games. Just something to make a little extra cash. Just used this character as an example of how detailed characters can be.

[twick87]

I know it doesn't pertain to the game I'm working on, but here's an update on my Anderson Cooper model:

[Hblade]

Holy crap thats detailed! lol nice job

[twick87]

Finally got the hair nailed down. It looks similar to Anderson's real hair, but it isn't quite right yet. Getting closer, though:

[Jagmaster]

Pretty much nailed it bud! Texture it, add some sss, and it'll be perfect! Good luck on the 3D marketplace!

I myself have been spending waay too much time modeling, texturing, and -trying- to rig a certain green robot. Once I get the turnaround uploaded I'll post it here if ya don't mind