A Bunch of Norn Heads: Introducing a Creatures 1 Project
With a little motivation at long last, I broke ground on my latest Creatures 1 project! Before I go into any detail, know that this is not absolutely necessary to play the game. In fact, the project is basically a bunch of fixes that simply have not been made because they’re so minor. The worst result is a few floating pixels… Hardly worthy of any attention! Yet after I released the recent update for the C1 Grendel, I decided that it was time to work on the C1 Norns. In a selfish way, this project is mostly for myself… If no one else ever uses it, I’ll still be a happy Creatures player! Read on for a little more information of what this will entail, including some early examples!
An example of my early handiwork can be found when one compares the above, original sprite image with the one pictured on the right. No more crazy pink and purple outlines! Edges have also been slightly smoothed, while another minor improvement has been made to the eye. My goal is not to create absolutely perfect image files: Part of the charm of Creatures 1 is the graphics style, and the last thing I would want is to drastically change it! I was pleased with this first result, and hopefully other Creatures 1 players will agree. There are numerous images with minor issues, including white pixels, stray pixels, and even some splotched eyes.
This is the original White Haired Pixie Norn. I am working on fixes for these breeds:
- Banana Norn
- White Haired Pixie Norn
- Horse Norn
- Santa Norn (Breed Slot 3)
- Purple Mountain Norn
- Forest
- Ron Norn
Enjoy another sample fix! No more algae green outline, and a couple of other minor changes can be found. Not only will the image files be getting a makeover, but I will also be updating the body data files to allow for better mixed breeds. Sometimes body parts don’t line up as nicely, though again, this is something that doesn’t actually hinder gameplay. Despite being minor changes, each and every image file for every life stage will need an update. This requires a lot of time, yet I’m definitely committed to releasing these updates! Just be prepared for a bit of a wait. To be rid of those floating pixels will be worth it in the end!
Oh wow, those look so much better. Maybe I’m just particularly vulnerable to it, what with being a 3D artist and having done some green screen work, but those little things always get under my skin.
I can see exactly how these came about. Someone drew the original sprites on coloured backgrounds, then used the magic wand tool in Photoshop to extract them, probably unaware they left tiny bits behind.
I for one will definitely use these, and will thoroughly enjoy them. If only there was a way to compile them with the installer so I’d never have to think about them again.
Thanks, ArchDragon! I’m sure there would be a way to make these absolutely perfect, but so long as the vast majority of issues are fixed, I’ll be happy! One other major change will fix the Banana Norn: Currently, there is an issue with movement and head placement in the adult male, and the elder has mixed up image files so he appears to look way up when he’s supposed to be looking down.
Luckily, the colored outline isn’t too prominent! I can’t believe the developers never released an update, though. I love the graphics style, yet these pink and green outlines aren’t exactly cute!
Some breeds may get a little more of a makeover: The baby male Forest Norn has a little less hair, mostly because having it hang over his face so far seems out of place for a baby, and it was rather messy. This is kind of what I did with the male baby Grendels, and I hope it will make these Norns a little more adorable! One other thing I’m beginning to notice is how the head sprites facing directly forward and backward are different sizes in some breeds. These all use one set of coordinates from the body data file, which might explain some of the issues. Some head sprites are also different sizes/positions for the open and closed eye versions… Part of the reason why some breeds look like they’re scrunching up their eyes when they blink.
I highly doubt this will be a CCSF release, and it may not even be something for this year. I’ll have to see how things go, and how much time I have! In the worst case, I might post a partial release when I have all the males done, or certain breeds completed. At least that would be something!
If it wouldn’t be too forward of me to inquire, which programs do you use to edit these sprites? Do you need something like Photoshop?
I use a couple of different programs. The first is the One Stop Sprite Workshop, which allows for the viewing and compiling of C1 and C2 sprites. Very handy! I also use Paint and Photoshop for a couple of different techniques, though the majority of the editing happens in Photoshop. It’s a delicate and tedious process at times, yet I really enjoy seeing the final changes come to life!
Oh wow, thanks. I was curious as I was attempting to create sprites for a C1 Norn breed that Scoota and I were working on a few years ago, before I lost the files. I wondered if there was something special you had to use (I was using GIMP), to get them to look so neat and lovely.
Is it hard to figure out which colour pixels to use where? (I was colouring/drawing over the tops of the originals, using them as a base, so I didn’t try to keep all the shading etc. because I quite frankly have no idea how to. I need to research the process some more.
I use a combination of the eyedropper tool and a modified pencil tool. Sometimes I simply replace incorrect pixels with those around them, while others (such as the pink and green outline) need more of a colored shading. It’s surprisingly easy, though a little tedious! I may look into creating a tutorial, since I would be happy to share some of the things I’ve learned! I’m moving very slowly, yet progress has been made!
Ah, yes, the eyedropper tool! I can see how useful that one would be. A tutorial would e much appreciated if you ever do make one. But, no pressure or anything. Thanks for answering my questions. =^_^=
You’re very welcome! I can’t promise a tutorial anytime soon with my crazy list of projects, but it’s something I’ll certainly put on my list for the future. I might even learn a thing or two as I go through this process, and I’m sure others will be glad to see how to do something like this! I suppose it’s the first step to creating an actual breed… Or maybe it’s a pre-step. Ha ha!