I think i have the right look for trees maybe. It just needs a bit more shading (and the trunk) to finish it up. I need these for at least two games I'm doing. Well, one is my Fireflies one, and i forget what the other is.
Anyway, here it is, cnc welcome.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
I'm guessing you made a single leaf, shaded it and then tiled it in there randomly?
That would explain the odd flatity(!), the sense of depth gets distorted because even though the leaf in itself is shaded in an ok manner, the tree is not. Look at the bottom of the tree, there are more highlights in the lower part of the tree than at the top! And a tree does not act like that. In the top there is a thick field of the darkest hue that goes from the top-left to the top-right.
You need to shade the entire tree too.
I know this example is kinda demanding since it's pixel-god-art, but it illustrates my point.
Drool-time is over!
Look at how that tree is shaded in whole. Very bright shades in the top-left , and almost pitch dark in the bottom-right!
You should try and add that feeling of a constant lightsource throughout the entire image. That's always hard when building something made out of smaller intricate parts. BTW, the tree is from Seiken Densetsu 3 aka Secret of Mana 2.
Needs a shadow of some kind. Otherwise it'll look like a bush... the shadow should give it a little height.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
Deleted User
26th August, 2008 at 04:32:10 -
Can't contribute more than what the other guys said, save perhaps imagining the tree as an egg, or bunch of eggs and shade them accordingly. Also, consider the reflective light almost all the time.
It just looks a little flat and photoshopped. What style are you going for? Any screenshots of it ingame? IMO you should just redraw that whole thing by hand but try and give it depth.
There are a few trees outside and non of them look like a big green ball. They all spread out at the bottom and the branches are all very apparent. Of course, this all depends on what kind of tree you are drawing. Your tree looks very photoshoped, does the whole game have this look? If the rest is pixel art you should try redrawing the tree from scratch.
Try googling some tree images, they should come in very useful. Keep it up
Just trying to get that 'tree' look down. I think everyone has trouble with trees. And everyone has tried to do something like that game did. Just a question for james: Think you could draw one or two examples? (Tormshire isn't really a tree game though, just asking.)
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
It is if you are trying to make them look realistic, but i guess even cartoony good-looking (serious, not Looney-toons style) trees are hard too. Damn nature!
I think everybody hates doing trees. Rocks are next. Mechanical objects, snacks, tvs, and other non-natural stuff is easy to do. That and some vehicles. Tanks and mecha should probably come after trees though.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
Speaking of trees. Worked for an hour or so on this. I think i have it just right and only a few places are bothering me. I'll probably work on the trunk some more today or tomorrow as well. I have dishes to do rite now so, maybe later.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
Don't be afraid to put darker shading within the tree itself. You don't want to make the leaves just one big textured ball, remember that leaves shade other leaves and having individual leaves with shadows around them, will dramaticly increase the depth and remove for the most part, the roundness and shiny ball look.
I made this a while back.
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
Registered 04/09/2004
Points 7998
29th August, 2008 at 11:40:30 -
Originally Posted by Xhunterko Davince: i have so many things i want to say to you i'll just keep quiet. You could have been less sarcastic or provided another example.
I wasn't sarcastic. Though the tree definitely still needs improvement, the shading made a huge difference.
Also, the best example here is the Seiken Densetsu 3 tree...
EDIT: I really don't see how you thought my reply was sarcastic...
Sorry, might've over reacted on that. Work can be quite stress full on the mind. I'll try to work on it some more this weekend. Split shift today and early shift tomorrow.
Edited by the Author.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
Originally Posted by BrandonC Don't be afraid to put darker shading within the tree itself. You don't want to make the leaves just one big textured ball, remember that leaves shade other leaves and having individual leaves with shadows around them, will dramaticly increase the depth and remove for the most part, the roundness and shiny ball look.
I made this a while back.
Thanx mate, i used Photstudio 5.5 and my imagination. I like to use textures or photographs to create realistic graphics, but i was struggling to take ariel shots of trees (since i cannot fly!) so made these bad-boys up from scratch.
The only thing I don't like about it, is that you're trying much to harder to give each leaf depth and shape. You're not giving anywhere near the whole tree as a whole any shading at all.
I saw in a sprite artist tutorial a while back, a good technique to use when making tree's. So I'm not taking credit for this idea, but it's worked great for me.
Try creating 3D spheres or even large spheres with a gradient to them, and place them over the tree. This will give you a general idea of how you can shade it.
This is only a guide though to help you shade the whole tree as a whole, rather then just the independent leaves.
I forgot to put a light source in, so it's really nothing but a bunch of spheres with the light source at the camera, but I seriously hope I don't need to spell out why my idea would be useful. Ugh.
Anyone else got any trees they wanna show? We should do this with other common objects too; very interesting to see what people come up with. All of these trees appear good in their own way and i would imagine the same would be said for other subjects too.
Okay. This one is a example not made in mmf2
Did it in painter/photoshop. I spent i think bout somewhat less than one hour on this. I should be working on a game for the compo. Instead of drawing, but hell it's fun.
Anyway the leaves are a custom made brush, it is almost the same principle as copy paste, but much better.
Since u can randomize size, scaterring and color.
Tree bark, on the majority of trees, tends to be more than just one shade of brown.And actually yes, Id probably use purple on a tree trunk.
It seems clear to me that you didn't actually look at what a tree looks like, Don Luciano?
I made the trunk in 3 minutes. And I haven't use purple, didn't u thought that maybe that was my intention.
And i saw plenty of trees, My family has a farm, with a lot of trees, even coloured ones. u know like rose coloured leaves, and purple leaves in the fall.
I haven't seen your post about typical colors on 5 other trees that were posted before.
The point is that u don't get it right? u probably can't draw for shit. is that right Adam?
use different tiles, not just one type. and an outline round it. try to use tiles that are more light or shadowy at either part of the trees volume.
U can see how u made the trunk.. it s not flat... beacuse of shadows.
Originally Posted by -Adam- Yes, because Im going to download any file you now send me? LOL.
i dunno how to make hacks or viruses... it's just a movie. U know a type of movie where u can see how to draw a trunk in less than 3 minutes.
I think u will like it. If I wanted to send u a virus, i surely wouldn't be as stupid as this. So enjoy... idiot.
Originally Posted by -Adam- Either you're a fake account, or you're a forum lurker with an attitude is worse than mine
I don't have a fake account, i joined two years ago, but never was active here, I became active on the forums bout a month ago. Since the competition. And ppl here are really quick to judge, and i don't like that.
It's probably best to stop posting things in this topic now Don. Or at the very least stay on topic.
Oh and thanks for the advice, it makes sense i guess.
This tutorial isn't really a tutorial on trees, but it breaks down impressive graphics in to fundamental parts, so it should be of interest. Tsugumo, chapter 5.
The guy was just trying to help the original poster. There were examples posted earlier by me and other people and all of them used green and brown so I don't know why you were going at him for the fact that he did the same.
Anyway, both the tree you did in mmf and the other look good. . . not really pixel-art'ish but they'd fit in a certain type of game.
Yes, those "trees" are good...however, please stay on topic. Adam probably may not be able to draw...but he'd be able to create a program that'd do it for him. On the other hand, i haven't done any work on it since i last posted. Took a stupid nap today too. I would like to see stuff other people do though. That'd be kinda neat to see.
(Note to self, keep track of posts.)
(BTW, i do have tsugomus stuff on my pc. I think every spriter does.)
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
Originally Posted by Eternal Entertainment This tutorial isn't really a tutorial on trees, but it breaks down impressive graphics in to fundamental parts, so it should be of interest. Tsugumo, chapter 5.
yeah it is kind of bright isnt it. tree leaves are generally darker. also the spheres near the bottom of the tree should be generally a darker shade than the top. light isnt hitting every sphere with the same intensity or even in the same spot. shade the spheres then shade the tree as a whole.
the best way u will learn how to make trees is to take a pencil and draw it on paper. Use a reference, a picture or go out in a park or something. And draw it all by hand. U should use more shadows.
What program r u using to draw the tree? Do u use a mouse?
@don: How do you think i know how to sprite at all???
@cecil: Yea i know, I think i'm still playing around with the style a bit.
Yes, i know its bright, i know it needs more shading. I just haven't gotten to it yet. I'm not trying to be mean here, sorry. I just get irritated when people don't think you know obvious stuff...(even though it may take you a while to get it right.)
I have something to work on the contrast thing. I'll probably post another one by wed or something. Hopefully the final tree.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
i've just bout given up on this dang project. I don't mean to offend anyone. It's just that i draw slightly well on paper and i suck at spriting. Sorry to cause problems for anyone. I'm gonna delete this post in day or so.
Again, thanks for trying to help. And i'm sorry if i offended anyone.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
It has come a long way since the first one you posted. I think the problem now is that the shading instead of being like a sphere is more like. . . a frisbee maybe? Like it's mostly flat and then it starts curving under on the edges. With a sphere the entire thing has to be a curve. I think if you can get that and then tone down the neon yellows/greens and finish the trunk you'll have something great.
Rather then giving each bundle the exact same shading of dark rimming at the bottom right, how about you try to do the 3D shading as it actually shows it should be. With the spherical shading, you're not just shading in an inch on the right and bottom sides. That's exactly why it still looks flat. Round objects have much more pronounced and wider shading. With that, the bundles themselves aren't all going to have the same exact shading. You need to make bundles higher in the tree, with more specular lighting, while bundles underneath are being shaded on by the above ones.
PS: Please stop your fruity attempts to be accepted by the large majority of people here by trying to belittle my sarcasm, Adam. It's sad and makes us both look bad.
No, Brandon stop trying to wriggle out of it like a little worm. You accused Xhunterco of "yelling" at someone yet he blatantly didn't? You always do this BrandonC. Miss understand someone then look aggressive.
@don: How do you think i know how to sprite at all???
I m sry i didn't understand what u mean.
What program are u using?
Do u use a mouse?
I still think u need more practice drawing trees if u want to draw it nicely. The most common thing ppl do when trying to learn to draw a certain thing is that they spend too much time on one picture, it's much more better if u take let's say 10 minutes for one sketch and make bout 10 sketches.
not really, 16x16 tiles are hard to do. But in 6 hours u could made 60 or more tiles. And have 55 bad ones, and 5 good ones to choose from. And maybe one that's really good. sometimes quantity is better.
We used to practice pose sketches in ink, we had one minute to draw a pose, and then dina changed pose, and all over again. We had some silly wooden sticks to use with ink. That was fail after fail, until bout u did for dunno how many times, then every fifth looked good.
That's the problem with click games! If you want decent graphics it's going to take hours to do a couple of sprites, a few trees what have you. I find by the time I've done enough pixelling for a level I don't like the look of it anymore and I have to do it again.
Originally Posted by -Adam- No, Brandon stop trying to wriggle out of it like a little worm. You accused Xhunterco of "yelling" at someone yet he blatantly didn't? You always do this BrandonC. Miss understand someone then look aggressive.
I rarely see you ever talk down to anyone else on this site. So don't act like it's just me. Lay off, for christ sake. And stop acting like you need to defend yourself every time I point it out. Want to stop conflict? Don't blatantly ignore them, and then snap at me for being unnecessarily aggressive. I'm not the only person who see's this happening either, so stop acting like it doesn't exist.
Originally Posted by AndyUK He does sometimes but it's usually small digs when the Admins aren't looking.
Which seems to be the story of his life.
Brandon C's life story.
Worked on Arcane Tale for 3 years,barely getting anywhere whatsoever... copied effects from Alonso's HFA... ate, sleep and drank? Showed sudden aggressive outbursts with unnecessary use of bad language towards other users.
Oh yeah- and made a youtube video in which he repeats himself 3 times- LOL!
Originally Posted by AndyUK He does sometimes but it's usually small digs when the Admins aren't looking.
Which seems to be the story of his life.
Brandon C's life story.
Worked on Arcane Tale for 3 years,barely getting anywhere whatsoever... copied effects from Alonso's HFA... ate, sleep and drank? Showed sudden aggressive outbursts with unnecessary use of bad language towards other users.
Oh yeah- and made a youtube video in which he repeats himself 3 times- LOL!
Right. Adam has got me all figured out. Lets just give the little bawl baby what he wants. You're right Adam! Everything you say about me is true!
There, you happy? Cause you know... nothing you said is at all worth fighting against. It's unfair for you, simply because arguing with someone who's clearly incapable of doing so, would make me feel guilty anymore. I'm sorry.
Right, lets please stay on topic. I'll probably have a new tree tomorrow. It might've been smarter on me to turn this into a dev project at the start. But oh well, hind sights always after the fact.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
Haha, I love how you've already posted that Brandon. I think we've grasped that basic knowledge. But yeah anyways, I made a quick tree (well.. 23 mins )
Basically I tried to make the branches look like they are going in all directions (although it's not that clear) the branches should look like they're going towards and away from the camera, as well as to the sides. If you just have branches sticking out from the sides, it starts to look even more flat. Anyway:
I didn't like those colours so I "cheated" and changed the hues in Photoshop
It looks kinda shiny- that's because I'm pretty lazy and use circular shading, pretty much like in the example Brandon kindly posted twice. Bear in mind that if you're going to use the circular shading method, it looks better if you blend the shades not by smoothing them, but by trying to use "texture" so giving the illusion of texture through pixels...
Crap example but:
If you practice doing some pixel art with a set palette so like 4-6 colours or something, then try and draw a textured object using those colours, you find yourself limited, and using colour you never thought you would for shadows, like shades of purples and blues, instead of blacks or the same shades you've already used. Contrast really helps things to look nice sometimes, like in the tree Eternal posted earlier:
The light hits from the top left, the bottom right is all shadowed, using purples and black. Its a pretty dramatic contrast, but to the human eye it works well.
Whoa, serious improvement from the first time I saw this thread, Xhunterko.
Adam, write up an article so others can read that too. You've already did about half (all?) the work anyway, just toss it up into an article so I can find it more easily next time
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I think that would be a good idea. Oh, here's the latest. Trying to decide on the trunk style. And, in case you haven't guessed, i'm afraid to add highlights to it. At least just not yet.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
First, i would like to say thank you to anyone who's posted on this thread. You have been a lot of help I probably couldn't have gotten better without it. So, in case your wondering what game/s i'm going to use the trees for, just check here:
Also, that's where I'll be posting about this subject from now on. I still have a lot of work to do with it before I'll be happy with it, but this is good for now.
Once again, thank you to everyone who's taken a part in this discussion. Where as the discussion on my work is closed, that doesn't mean people still can't post/view the examples here.
Anyways, thanks again. Sorry for offending anyone or being such a pain.
Thank you.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
I would have to see the other graphics to know which style would be best, but here's my suggestion. You can either try to draw every leaf like you're doing now and shade it OR you can do something simple and quite possibly just as effective and shade the green without showing every leaf. My personal opinion is the reason you are having so much trouble is because you are trying to draw and shade every leaf when there is no point in putting that much detail if the tree is going to be in the background. Like I said, I would have to see what everything else looks like to give a better critique.
All very good looking trees, espacially Xhunterko, BrandonC's and Adam's efforts, but they are all good looking. I liked this thread coz it's good to see what people have come up with.
Thats a pretty good example (From the Snes version of Mr Nutz)
Notice how the leaves are bigger and more detailed as well as lighter in colour the closer they are to the front. The further back leaves are a lot smaller and almost just solid dark green.
I really was worried about this thread getting too large. Guess i shouldn't have. But anyway. So, its been a few days, and I've been working on it. Well, the trunk at least. I think I'm bout ready to go with highlights on the leaves. I want to do something a bit different with the large center piece, but i might just leave it. Also, i'm looking for some suggestions on the texture. Anyways, here is the latest wip. I think i get better with good cnc. I just hope i can deliver with a good game with all this.
If you want, you can discuss here, or at my Fireflies project page. Doesn't matter to me. Thanks again.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
Thats a pretty good example (From the Snes version of Mr Nutz)
Notice how the leaves are bigger and more detailed as well as lighter in colour the closer they are to the front. The further back leaves are a lot smaller and almost just solid dark green.
Link doesn't work.
Originally Posted by Xhunterko I really was worried about this thread getting too large. Guess i shouldn't have. But anyway. So, its been a few days, and I've been working on it. Well, the trunk at least. I think I'm bout ready to go with highlights on the leaves. I want to do something a bit different with the large center piece, but i might just leave it. Also, i'm looking for some suggestions on the texture. Anyways, here is the latest wip. I think i get better with good cnc. I just hope i can deliver with a good game with all this.
If you want, you can discuss here, or at my Fireflies project page. Doesn't matter to me. Thanks again.
The trunk is much too contrasting and... scribbly? The leaves look better though, not great but useable.
Actually, I have no problem saying the trunk looks like crap, simply because I'm pretty sure he hasn't actually worked on a final for it yet. So, the leaves look great though. I'm sure you're ahead of all of us on that trunk though, make sure you send us the final.
@Brandon: Strangely, i don't have a problem with with you saying that either.
@Dr James: Yes, i know. I talked about the contrast on my project page. I was following a tutorial and had this palette on my pc. Any advice on the texture thought? I saw something else somewhere but i think that was a bit too advanced for me.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
As I've said before, it's a background... There's no need for you to try and put a lot of details in it and that's why I think your having so much trouble. Now I'm not sure how much this would match the style of your game, but I did this in a couple minutes just to show you that sometimes simple is better.
Originally Posted by Yami As I've said before, it's a background... There's no need for you to try and put a lot of details in it and that's why I think your having so much trouble. Now I'm not sure how much this would match the style of your game, but I did this in a couple minutes just to show you that sometimes simple is better.
Just to clarify, it's by someone called Tsugumo, not me.
It is a great article though (the full article has lot's of excellent stuff on sprites and tiles aswell).
Did you just accuse me of ripping off from somebody else? Cause I knew nothing about that games existence until you mentioned it. By the way, I looked it up and it actually looks pretty cool.
No no, I'm not accusing you of ripping, it's just a really lame joke. You see, after that game was released every single platformer was compared to it, and more than once people got wrongfully accused of ripping elements from it. And of course, many platformers were very inspired by Cave Story afterwards. Anyway, that was the time when the hilariously lame cave story ripoff joke got born.
The only problem Yami, is that for this particular project (Fireflies), the back ground is all you see. This moc up with early graphics says it all.
The only other visible things will be a gauge on the right, a score in the top right. A bar telling you what season it is in the top left. And maybe a timer in the top center. Also, you'll have your jar floating around the screen. Plus, i'm going to have a dark layer over this so it appears as night time. With a few more layers, it should appear as though the fireflies are lighting up the landscape. The background will hopefully only appear (if there's not a moon out) when a firefly lights up. I want to be as good as I can get here. Seeing, this is a slightly puzzle game.
(No, these are not final graphics. Grass mebe. But those trees are fairly old.)
Edited by the Author.
All platforming problems can be mostly solved here:
No offense, but if you could have done it the way everyone else has suggested then this thread would not even exist. With that said, unlike some people I decided to give you an example of which you could create with ease. Just do something simple, but at the same time without limiting yourself to something you already know you cant make. It will save you a lot of time and allow more effort to be put into other areas of the final product.
This time i actually spent time on the tree
and believe it or not, adam did say something helpful about not using circular shadeing
dont be affrade to simplify the trunk just a little
and try to use less contrast
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
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, and almost pitch dark in the bottom-right! 
Edited by the Author.
, here's my effort of some lovely trees, complete with shadows;
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