[CFRESOURCE]BABS Character Templates

[Calintz]

Dear Chaos Project,
I am going to create a set of templates aimed at Blizzard ABS's pose requirements. The demand for resources to use with Blizzard's active battle system is off the charts as is, and yet continues to grow. I want to help people get off on the right foot by supplying them with resources that will help them create their own characters and poses. I have started this endeavor by reconstructing a default character template which can be found below. This is only the beginning of what I hope to be a great addition to the resources found here at Chaos Project.

I greatly encourage questions, comments, and concerns throughout this process. It will help me create finished products that meet member's interests. I may even create several poses for the weapon sets should people want there to be more than one animation for their characters.

The templates will be made in the following order:
1. Default Charaset
2. One Handed Sword
3. Spear
4. Two Handed Weapon (Axe, Greatsword...etc)
5. Bow and Arrow
6. Fisticuffs
7. Blunt Objects (Staff, Club, etc...)

Templates:
Default Charaset:

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OHS Pose: (One Handed Sword)

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[poxy]

Pretty cool. Haven't tested it yet. These should come in handy when finished, tho. Level up for taking on the task

[Calintz]

@Poxy:
The Niche said he tested the first attack sprite, and that it worked fluently.

I will try to finish the Spear sometime tonight.

[Wizered67]

Great job! Level up!

[Calintz]

Thank you Wizered67.

[The Niche]

Test sprite:



Ok, so it looks pretty stupid without the sword. Obviously. But still, it works pretty well.

[Calintz]

The animation looks fast...is that the default speed for gameplay?

[The Niche]

I don't know, actually. It's G_G's sprite animator, if that explains it at all. How's the project going?

[Calintz]

Eh, they look like they're traveling 2frames per second. Gameplay goes at four I think.
I traveled to Sweet Valley to visit my father this weekend, and I didn't take my laptop with me. I got back earlier today, so I haven't had the time to work on this task. I will continue working this week. Sorry for the delay.

[Dweller]

Eh, they look like they're traveling 2frames per second. Gameplay goes at four I think.

If you use with Blizz-ABS you can configure the animation frames rate, so is not a problem.

[Holyrapid]

Dweller, take a moment to think about how long Calintz has been on these forums. He knows that for certain, even if he doesn't use BABS, he has checked it out...

[Dweller]

Dweller, take a moment to think about how long Calintz has been on these forums. He knows that for certain, even if he doesn't use BABS, he has checked it out...

mmm he said gameplay goes at four, for that reason I said in Blizz-ABS you can configure that. I respect Calintz work and my comment was not on the way of offend or attack him (quite the opossite). 

[Holyrapid]

And that's not what i meant either... What i meant is that there was no reason for you to point that BABS setting to Calintz as it is reasonable to assume that he knew it for certain...

[Calintz]

@Dweller:
Thank you for clarifying that. I, in fact, did not know that for certain.

@Desk:
Assuming makes an ass out of you and me...a salaried member of management where I work told me that once. Not that I'm scolding you, but I think this quote can be appreciated by this conflict. Never assume anything. Draw assumptions last, and have support for theories at all measures...

In the end, his post was beneficial. =).

[The Niche]

Cal! How's the project  going?

[Calintz]

Hey bud,
this project is still underway. I have been working diligently on a custom tileset for my game. This is where my time has been going. Rest assured though...I will complete this task, especially since I am going to need these sprites for my Gladiator game!

[nathmatt]

just thought i would let you know your images were down

[Calintz]

Shit...they're still loading on my page, Lol.
I'll renew the links. I still have them on my photobucket, but I moved them.

[The Niche]

*Gentle reminder*

[The Niche]

Ok guys, Calintz has been away or something, and I think I'm not the only one getting a little impatient. So to give you something to occupy your time while we wait for him, I've edited the OHS pose to make a left handed one and a two weapon one.

Two Weapons: ShowHide

Left handed sword: ShowHide

Calintz, if you want to edit these to make them more in keeping with the style, that's fine, but I just did a bit of frankenspriting from the template itself, so it shouldn't be necessary.

[DeXuS]

Your image links have been cancled by photobucket, please someone repost the images.   

[The Niche]

Gawd I'm bored. Very bored in fact. And I kinda needed the template. So:

Shh! It's a secret!: ShowHide

It's a two handed weapon template. Not a two handed sword one, I'll need to edit it a bit before it can be used as that. And I shall post a sprite showing how to use it tomorrow, I kinda need sleep now.

And Dexus:

Spoiler: ShowHide

[DeXuS]

Sweet, Thank you!!!   (Levels you down per request) I feel evil now, lol

[Ryex]

not to belittle you work niche but the two handed one in only right for the top pose

[The Niche]

It'll make a bit more sense when I upload an example sprite.

Edit: Ah fuck, Ryex was right. Ok, I'll have the fixed version up later on.

And I think that weapons might need a little bit more than resizing and rotating. >.<

Edit: Tadaaaa...

Template: ShowHide

Note: This template is going to require you to edit the weapon sprite a little, so if you're requesting weapon sprites, be sure to mention that you're using this to the spriter. They also might not have seen the template, so provide a link to this message.

Weapon alignment demonstration: ShowHide

For those of you who haven't already copped on to the fact, the black line represents the weapon.

Edit: Woops, I left in some guidelines. The template's still usable, but it doesn't look as good.

Edit: Fixed version:

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Edit: Example sprite!

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Edit: Ok, it's actually possible to use this template for swords. It's a little complicated, so here:

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Sorry about the white spaces in the animation, G_G's sprite animator does that automatically.
Also, I added an animation to the example sprite.

Edit: Whoa almost double posted there. Anyway, I did the two handed spear set as well.

Pose: ShowHide

Alignment Guide: ShowHide

The same note as before applies to this template too. I've really gotta stop doing them like this.

Edit: Spear pose example!

Spoiler: ShowHide

Not my usual demo character but what are you gonna do about it?

[The Niche]

And, I've gone and done the bow template too! Aren't I nice? (BTW Cal, I'm sure your templates will be better than mine, if you do make any more. Please do post them here, especially if they're different poses)

The template:

Spoiler: ShowHide

Guide:

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[Ryex]

when you use a bow you draw back to your ear or just behind not half a foot behind your back. also you line up the center of the bow with your eyes so you can sight down the arrow.

fixing those things will make it look better and solve the problem of the arms looking like contorted rag dole oranatang limbs
that template clashes horribly with my knowledge of archery.

I'm sorry it so harsh but the template looks awful and I can't think of a nice way to say that. sorry.

[Blizzard]

Wow, those are freakishly long arms. O_o

[Kagutsuchi]

Wow, those are freakishly long arms. O_o

its not a man, it is a japanese tentacle monster here to rape us all!

Appreciated the work Niche but you gotta work a bit more on that one

I have practiced a bit of archery in my life, and I want to note 3 things:
1. The hand holding the bow gets stretched out, while the hand holding the string stops straight next to your ear / straight behind it
2. You will be standing slightly sideways (if you feel like you can handle that)
3. Also you are not bending your back like that

Try standing in archery position yourself and see how your hands are, if you are stretching the hand pulling the string far behind your head YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!

LIEK DIS YEZZ

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OR DIZ

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Or maybe this..

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But absolutely not this

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[Ryex]

ok, you can do the last one but the bow better be dam awesome.

[The Niche]

I know right? Yeah, I'll redo this when I get the chance. Thanks for the advice!

[RoseSkye]

OR DIZ

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She's nice and flexible.... mmm I'd arch her bow.

[Kagutsuchi]

OR DIZ

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She's nice and flexible.... mmm I'd arch her bow.

Sure you quoted the right picture? :V

[Taiine]

Thought this may help some.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOCE-vqehLM&feature=related
Short video on the archers pose and how to shoot.

Body to the side, left arm stretched out, legs placed at shoulders width apart, draw back to the ear/jaw/eye/personal pref, look down the arrow to sight.

^^; I love archery. ;3

[RoseSkye]

OR DIZ

Spoiler: ShowHide

She's nice and flexible.... mmm I'd arch her bow.

Sure you quoted the right picture? :V

*rubs nipples* Yes.

[The Niche]

Alright, finally got around to doing this.

The template: ShowHide

The guides: ShowHide

Would someone please do an example sprite for me? I have to hit the hay.

[Ryex]

great improvement just a fee things.

- the position of the arm on the forward facing sprite is two low. it needs to be up closer to the ear.

- the feed on the side facing sprites looks weird because they're right next to each other and on the same level.  shorten and move the back foot back a little to make it look like the feet are staggered like they should be.

it's much MUCH better compared to the first try, good work!

[Blizzard]

I agree. This looks really good.

[The Niche]

Alright, this shouldn't take too long. Thanks for the feedback, I should have the sprite done within the hour.

Edit: Yep. Took me from 08:30 to 9:29.

Template: ShowHide

Guides: ShowHide

[Ryex]

much better, but I think the legs are too far apart now.  the arm position looks much better too.

[The Niche]

There's just no pleasing some people... I was too lazy to do new positions for the legs so I just took Calintz's legs from the sword pose.

[Ryex]

ah, well IMHO the legs should be about half way between where they are now and where you had them strait. at least now it looks believable it just look like he is squatting low with his legs spread, which I wouldn't do were I to shoot a bow. but for a flashy dame effect it's believable.

[Dweller]

Nice work The Niche.

Testing your bow template:

Spoiler: ShowHide

[The Niche]

Nice work The Niche.

Testing your bow template:

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Sorry, imageshack is blocked for me. Would you be able to upload to photobucket?

[G_G]

LOL! Its the exact opposite for me. Good thing I'm still at home >.<

Spoiler: ShowHide

[The Niche]

You have a habit for self advertisement, I see. Anyway, that looks good, thanks for the upload!

EDIT: HOLY SHIT I'M ALMOST FINISHED!!one

Ok, I'm not sure if I want to do a barehand template, does anyone need one?

I have a couple of things to add to the to-do list:

Spoiler: ShowHide

• Gun - should be the same for rifle, pistol and crossbow.


• Miscellaneous poses, such as pointing for the use of a skill, consuming an item, maybe crouching for charging.


• Jump and sneak templates and I'll upload the template I use for running


• I intend to also make a female set for the templates and possibly a child set as well

Edit: Done the template for a two handed gun. One handed is a few edits to this one, so it'll be up later.

The template: ShowHide

Guidelines: ShowHide

Edit: Eh, I was too lazy too do the one handed template. So, here's one of my misc poses, pointing:

With Head movement: ShowHide

Without: ShowHide

Edit: Scratch that, I'm done the one handed gun. I think it may need some improvement later, but yeah. Guns are done.

The Template: ShowHide

[JellalFerd]

Do you think you could do a template for thrusting a spear as a projectile?

[The Niche]

I could do it but it won't be for a while. I'm moving on to the ARC rtp and all the spriting I'll be doing will be for that.

[JellalFerd]

D:
Oh well, might as well try spriting it myself.

[The Niche]

Alright, well here's how I do it:

First off, get the walking template. Copy the first pose for each row of the default template to make a base image. I reccomend saving that image, you'll probably use it alot.

Next up, draw in the positions of your weapon using single pixel lines to represent the weapon. Make sure to do it on a new layer.

On another layer, use single pixel lines to guidelines for the arm and leg positioning.

On yet another layer, take the darkest colour from the template and draw around the limb guidelines. You might want to hide the weapon guides.

Finally, shade it in using the other colours. I can't really help you with this step, trial and error all the way.