Adding Shadows To Character Sets
First of all you need the following:
- Photshop (I use CS4 I dont think it matters)
- A Character Set with a transparent background
- Some free time it doesnt take long
Step 1: Adding Transparency to your Character Set
First you have a character set but the background isnt transparen. Easy fix and this should work. Import it into RPG Maker XP. Now go into the
Graphics/Characters folder and then the character set you imported should have a transparent background. Now open it in PhotoShop
Step 2: Fixing the "locked" Layer
First open the character set in PhotoShop
Okay yiou may have noticed that the layer is locked which is bad because we can't add shadows to it.
This is an easy fix. First press Ctrl + A to select the whole image, then go to Edit > Copy to copy the image, now make a new file with the same width and height as your character set. Then go to Edit > Paste to paste the image right in. The Image will look like this:
The layer isnt locked and we can edit it now. But before we do delete the Background layer.
Step 3: Adding the Shadow
Okay so we're about done here. We just got to add the shadow. Right click Layer 1 and go to blending options. You'll see this window.
Now check the box Drop Shadow then click the option so this window appears.
Now I recommend you set it to these settings well this is what I use
It gives a clean image like this and makes it look good (to me) Play around with settings to your liking until you get what you want.
Then File > Save As > filename.png
Congratulations! You have just now (hopefully) successfully added a shadow to your character. This can also be done with battlers, tilesets, and any other rmxp resource. Just follow this guide and add a shadow to any picture!