Graphics

[TheLostGuru]

I am horrible at graphics... Getting better, but still horrible. Most of my games are programmed quickly and then I spend forever making crappy graphics. I am wondering if I have a better option than drawing my own graphics. I know that I can hire someone to do the graphics part of a game, but I don't have enough projects to do this. Is there some resource on the web that has free graphics? As in free enough that I can use the graphics in commercial games? I am guessing the answer is no, but just in case...

p.s. I know that by practicing I can get better. That is not what I am looking for in responses for this thread.

[mr_malee]

if you like pixel isometric art then: http://reinerstileset.4players.de/englisch.htm

if you like video game sprites then there's a few around, just search in google. I think that you are able to use them. Check the copyright information on the site if your unsure.

Don't really have anything else. I think it migth be hard to find a free graphical resource. Creating graphics is a skill and usually comes at a price.

[renderhjs]

most freeware graphics are utterly crap
unlike code or flash movies graphics aren´t that much opensource or free to begin with.
There are though many commercial texture, graphics & cliparts collections for commercial people.
I think the best solution for you would be to find someone willing to do what you need for your product.

[georgecalgary]

if you like pixel isometric art then: http://reinerstileset.4players.de/englisch.htm

if you like video game sprites then there's a few around, just search in google. I think that you are able to use them. Check the copyright information on the site if your unsure.

Don't really have anything else. I think it migth be hard to find a free graphical resource. Creating graphics is a skill and usually comes at a price.

Thanks for your link. I need that too. Graphics is a time beast, think about when you draw a simple taper with pencil could cost you two hours and more....

[everfornever]

Show me your game, show me a graphic needed, give me credit in the game, I will make you some fly ass graphics.

In small doses

[The Helmsman]

This is probably the biggest collection of free tile sets in internet.

If you need a free photos as well, you can find this website useful too. Most of the photos there are free of charge for any projects.

What else..., recently I found a good way to make graphics for games using following approach. But I don't think it will be acceptable for everyone - you need a little art skills to use it + wacom tablet (not necessary).

Here is a process:
- take a picture that fits your needs, a flower for example (it can be commercial one also, or your own sketch that you scan or shot to bring into digital format).
- open it in Photoshop (or any other editor) to quickly pickup colors for a future palette you'll use.
- open your picture in Flash also (put it in the first frame).
- now, press a F6 to create a keyframe next to the one contains bitmap you brought and make it blank (it will be a place where you'll draw your picture).
- switch to the setup onion skin mode .
- take a pen and draw a contour lines (using bitmap in the first frame as reference).
- when it will be finished you can fill your drawing with colors.
- and finally add some shadows.

The whole process you can see here .

You can also find a lot of tutorials on how to quickly draw on adobe site

[DayDream]

One of the biggest problems with all this free art or quick patched up art shortcuts is the lack of consistency... What makes a game stand out is a polish from loading screen to game over and everything inbetween. A few nice graphics don't make the game - but they can take it a step further.

My suggestion to you and most other coders would be to stick to what you are good at - code great games - and team up with an artist - who sticks to his field and creates the art. There are those out there who are talented in both fields and code great games while doing the art at the same time but they are not the norm.

I know it sounds easier than it is - and finding good, reliable artists can be hard but it can make all the difference to a game.

[georgecalgary]

For me I will use some graphics roughly in early development stage whatever they're crap or not, doing so it's the only way to focus my time on code. Graphics could be upgraded later.

[The Helmsman]

My suggestion to you and most other coders would be to stick to what you are good at - code great games - and team up with an artist - who sticks to his field and creates the art.

As far as I know, from the previous posts here on FK concerning help with a game graphics, it's hard to find talented artists to help, basically because most of people here want a little bit more then just a credit in new game

Tell me if I'm wrong.

[Squize]

It is difficult to find good artists who can produce lots of different styles and on time.

In saying that though, as coders we seem to think we should be able to attract artists to our work just on the merit of it being a game. I think a lot of people expect to get artists of the calibre of daydream, and are pretty dismissive when people who are still learning their skill post here with offers of doing graphics, as we have such high visual standards.
But it does work the other way, if you're a good artist you want to work with a coder with the ability of iopred / strille etc. and not just devote your time and energy into improving what at the end of the day will always be an average game, no matter how pretty it looks.

Cuts both ways, good coders get to work with good artists 'cause both parties know the end result will be great.

Squize.

[trogdor458]

or cuz they're just lazy, im finding im getting better at this 3d art (yes, due to practice thelostguru), but I hardly like trying to make my own graphics (the 3d ones are a pain; my learning process is hindered 'cuz it renders so damn slow (but i still love it :p))

unfortunately, i find copying more troublesome then making it original, it's near impossible for me to go into someone else's technique/picture/code, and edit for my own use

id rather do it all myself, if youre really worried about it, try fiddling with stuff to see what comes out (for example: i got around a bug in my 3d program, i can now cast shadows correctly!) fiddling is the best to discover new things

im still in highschool, so i can take classes on this (not yet, im still a freshman, cant wait for me to get better direction in making stuff, right now i pull everything out of my...<insert synonym here>)

[Ray Beez]

Forget hiring. If your games are any good, you should have no problem finding artists willing to "partner up" for a share of ownership in the game (that means FREE GRAPHICS)

[everfornever]

You can check out my past works, i think I am pretty well rounded at graphics, look at my game demos --> http://www.truimagz.com

I stand by my original post, if you show me a game ( thats got potential) and graphix you need done, I would be more than happy to do them, and just for credit in your game. (noticeable credit)

[trogdor458]

you're being modest everfornever, you're so good, it's a bad thing
perhaps you could get a buddy to help out with any graphics (if they're good), im sure they wouldnt mind helping
or wait, older folks dont get as excited about these things do they?

[Gamebrew]

Here is the solution for all good coders who can't or don't want to draw: If you know your game is gonna be good, spend a few hundred for a good and reliable artist, find someone to sponsor the game for more money than the art, double if you can. Free art, extra cash on the side and you save time.

For Matrix Rampage, I wrote down and sketched everything I wanted to happen in the game, trying not to make it too complicated. I sent a pixel artist my sketches and told him every single frame I needed. While he's working on that, I get the basic engine working, tiles, scrolling etc. He finishes in a month, and now I work on the actual game. The next month I finish the game, so that's about two months total, afterwards of course testing and tweaking. If I did the art myself it would be 3 months total, if I sucked at art it would likely take me 6 months or more. From my past experience, I normally would be demoralized by my not-so-great art, or lose interest because too much time passed and eventually cancel the project, now I know better.

[everfornever]

To me the art is 3/4 the fun of the game, though it does get tedious at times, it can be a relaxing past time, to sit and work on graphics.

Though alot of times I do find myself rushing through graphics, or not spending enough time on them.

But then again my philoshy on any project is "No project is ever finished, just abandoned". You can always improve on anything you do, but at some point you just need to say that it's good enough.

[scheletro]

At the beggining I used to make horrible graphics, then I start to do simple characters and use fireworks to add some effects

But I think you can use pictures of people or even toys, buy toys and change colosr or dimensions and you can play and program, is very fun