those blasted MMF Hotspots!

[ila]

Okay, if there is one thing that is annoying about MMF/TGF sprites, its setting those hot spots!

So what kind of techniques do you use to set hot spots? Do you set them relativte to the center of the sprite? Or do you set them at the bottom center? Also what about walking/running animations? Do you set them so everything stays relatively centered animation wise, or do you set them so the character's feet is level and causes the character to bouce when they run? Discuss.

[Xoram]

I usually create a template that enables me to easily add new frames to the animation that are positioned the way I like. The hotspot is always centered in the middle relative to the template

[Kain]

When you rotate the sprite it rotates arround the hot-spot, right? Or do you have to rotate and define hotspots for each 360/16 degrees (:/)? Anyway, GM has a similar mechanism. I'm assuming they work pretty much the same way (if you draw the sprite at (x,y) then the hotspot will be drawn at (x,y) and all the pixels are relatively placed).

Anyway, the way I do it is based on the circle mask used for rotating. The idea is that you place the circle over the sprite so that the part of the sprite you want to be just above the ground overlaps with the very bottom of the circle. then the center of the circle would be the center of the sprite, or the "hot-spot." The idea being, that if the sprite rotates around this point, then the part of the sprite that you want to be above the ground will rotate along the edge of the circle. The point usually ends up being about 2/3 down the sprite. Here's a diagram:

If you zoom-in and mouse-over the center of the circle (the green cross), you get a coordinate in the lower right. That's your hot-spot.

It's also a lot easier if your sprites fit into a compact 16*i by 16*j form.

[LarkSS]

If I'm making a static engine and I don't feel like spending too much time on the sprites, I'll just set it to the feet. Otherwise I'll put it at the middle of the sprite's belly and for animations like walking I'll shift it a bit to give it the bounce. If I can't see the belly for a part of the sprite being in the way, I'll count how many pixels down it is from either the pupils or the shoulder of the right arm. For certain animations like jumping where the form changes, I'll just put the hotspot in the very center of the sprite. That's how I usually get things done. For sprites other than Sonic though, I either put it in the center or if I want it to rotate in a certain way I'll put it in a spot that's almost like the sprite's 'joint'.

Edit: Little method I forgot to mention for finding out how much to move the hotspot for the walking bounce. Check the walking frame where the feet are almost in a standing pose ( when they're transitioning from front to back and visa versa ). The bottom-most point of the shoe is the ground. When you notice another frame slightly below this point ( counting the pixels from the belly to the bottom point and comparing each frame to this can help ), move the hot spot down the amount of pixels the foot went down. If the foot happens to be higher on a certain frame, don't move the hot spot up, just leave it at the normal position. It's really easier than it sounds; for me anyway.

[Slingerland]

Xoram's method for the win.

[Asuma]

Yes. I would agree.

[MidimanNull]

Numpad.

[Aerosol]

Xoram's method is very good, but a little tedious in my opinion. I just play around with it, i'm not so fussy about the hotspots.

[Mark the Echidna]

For me it's very rare to have any kind of problem with hot spots. I usually just center them pressing 5 on the numpad. If some sprite has a very different shape than the others, I go back, look to see where the hotspot is at Sonic, and place it at the same/a similar place on the problematic sprite.

[Turbohog]

For me it's very rare to have any kind of problem with hot spots. I usually just center them pressing 5 on the numpad. If some sprite has a very different shape than the others, I go back, look to see where the hotspot is at Sonic, and place it at the same/a similar place on the problematic sprite.

That doesn't work. It does nothing when I press 5 on the numpad

[Ryan Cordel]

Usually it's with Multimedia Fusion 2, yo.

[MidimanNull]

" Unless it's Multimedia Fusion 2, yo, since MMF2 has preset buttons instead of hotkeys "

Frankly, I support the template idea that Xoram uses, since it rules out the option of retarded positioning, since you know exactly how your sprite is going to be placed ( granted if you put the main sensors in the template background ), but I never got around to doing it because I usually do math before placement, not placement after math.

[Turbohog]

then, on MMF2, how do you do the press 5 shortcut?

[MidimanNull]

In the image editor, there is a set of 9 small buttons in the bottom left corner of the editor, you can click on either 9 of those to set the hotspot to either of the 9 positions.

[DimensionWarped]

I usually do math before placement, not placement after math.

O-o

[MidimanNull]

I tend to figure out where to place my hotspots first WITH math, as opposed to just placing them in the center and adjusting them after.

[LarkSS]

I tend to figure out where to place my hotspots first WITH math, as opposed to just placing them in the center and adjusting them after.

I find it easier that way myself, though when I'm lazy I sometimes just stick it on the character's belly.