If you use RMXP, then Night_Runner made a script for me which does exactly that.
#==============================================================================
# ** Night_Runner's More Sprite Frames
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# History:
# Date Created: 15/Dec/10
# Created for: Stripe103
# @> http://www.rpgrevolution.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46903
#
# Description:
# This script is designed to have more frames for the walking motion of a
# player, increasing the default 4 frames of walking to 8.
#
# How to Install:
# You know the drill by now, copy, Tools >> Script editor, scroll down,
# bottom right right click >> Insert, paste.
#==============================================================================
#==============================================================================
# ** Game_Character
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Edited to show 8 sprite frames for a player (line 49 edited edited).
#==============================================================================
class Game_Character
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Frame Update
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def update
# Branch with jumping, moving, and stopping
if jumping?
update_jump
elsif moving?
update_move
else
update_stop
end
# If animation count exceeds maximum value
# * Maximum value is move speed * 1 taken from basic value 18
if @anime_count > 18 - @move_speed * 2
# If stop animation is OFF when stopping
if not @step_anime and @stop_count > 0
# Return to original pattern
@pattern = @original_pattern
# If stop animation is ON when moving
else
# Update pattern
@pattern = (@pattern + 1) % (self.is_a?(Game_Player) ? 8 : 4)
end
# Clear animation count
@anime_count = 0
end
# If waiting
if @wait_count > 0
# Reduce wait count
@wait_count -= 1
return
end
# If move route is forced
if @move_route_forcing
# Custom move
move_type_custom
return
end
# When waiting for event execution or locked
if @starting or lock?
# Not moving by self
return
end
# If stop count exceeds a certain value (computed from move frequency)
if @stop_count > (40 - @move_frequency * 2) * (6 - @move_frequency)
# Branch by move type
case @move_type
when 1 # Random
move_type_random
when 2 # Approach
move_type_toward_player
when 3 # Custom
move_type_custom
end
end
end
end
#==============================================================================
# ** Sprite_Character
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Edited to half hte width of the bitmap for a player (line 119 edited).
#==============================================================================
class Sprite_Character
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
# * Frame Update
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
def update
super
# If tile ID, file name, or hue are different from current ones
if @tile_id != @character.tile_id or
@character_name != @character.character_name or
@character_hue != @character.character_hue
# Remember tile ID, file name, and hue
@tile_id = @character.tile_id
@character_name = @character.character_name
@character_hue = @character.character_hue
# If tile ID value is valid
if @tile_id >= 384
self.bitmap = RPG::Cache.tile($game_map.tileset_name,
@tile_id, @character.character_hue)
self.src_rect.set(0, 0, 32, 32)
self.ox = 16
self.oy = 32
# If tile ID value is invalid
else
self.bitmap = RPG::Cache.character(@character.character_name,
@character.character_hue)
@cw = bitmap.width / (@character.is_a?(Game_Player) ? 8 : 4)
@ch = bitmap.height / 4
self.ox = @cw / 2
self.oy = @ch
end
end
# Set visible situation
self.visible = (not @character.transparent)
# If graphic is character
if @tile_id == 0
# Set rectangular transfer
sx = @character.pattern * @cw
sy = (@character.direction - 2) / 2 * @ch
self.src_rect.set(sx, sy, @cw, @ch)
end
# Set sprite coordinates
self.x = @character.screen_x
self.y = @character.screen_y
self.z = @character.screen_z(@ch)
# Set opacity level, blend method, and bush depth
self.opacity = @character.opacity
self.blend_type = @character.blend_type
self.bush_depth = @character.bush_depth
# Animation
if @character.animation_id != 0
animation = $data_animations[@character.animation_id]
animation(animation, true)
@character.animation_id = 0
end
end
end
#==============================================================================
# ** End of Script.
#==============================================================================
There is also a version of this which makes you able to have the sprite animate faster.