Sprite Generator

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Introduction

The Sprite Generator is a powerful AI tool designed to streamline the creation of 2D game assets. It combines the capabilities of image generation and video animation to produce both static sprites and fully animated sprite sheets from simple text prompts or existing images. This tool is perfect for rapid prototyping, creating unique characters and objects, and generating game-ready assets without needing advanced artistic or animation skills.

With the Sprite Generator, you can:

• Create static sprites from a text description.
• Animate your own images or newly generated sprites with a text prompt.
• Generate sound effects for your animations.
• Export your animations as sprite sheets, videos, or GIFs.

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Getting Started

The Sprite Generator offers two main workflows, accessible via tabs at the top left of the interface:

• New Sprite: Start from scratch by describing the sprite you want to create with text. The AI will first generate a static image, which you can then choose to animate.
• Animate Sprite: Start with an existing image, either one you've generated in Ludo or one you upload yourself, and describe the animation you want to apply to it.

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Creating a New Sprite (Text-to-Sprite)

This workflow is ideal when you have an idea but no starting visual.

1. Select the "New Sprite" Tab: This is the default view when you open the tool.
2. Describe Your Sprite: In the main text prompt box, write a detailed description of the static sprite you want to create. Focus on its appearance, not its movement.
   • Example: "A magical sword with a glowing blue blade and a golden hilt."
   • Example: "A cute, small robot character with a single large eye."
3. Apply Filters (Optional): Use the filters below the prompt to refine the visual style. These are the same filters found in the Image Generator:
   • Art Style: Choose from styles like Cartoonish, Pixel Art, Low Poly, etc.
   • Perspective: Select a camera angle like Isometric or Side-Scroll, which is crucial for 2D game assets.
   • Other filters like Platform, Genres, Aspect Ratio, and Colors are also available.
4. Generate the Sprite: Click the "Generate Sprite" button. The AI will produce one or more static images based on your prompt and filters.
5. Iterate or Animate:
   • If you're not happy with the results, you can edit your prompt or filters and click "Generate Sprite" again.
   • Once you have a static sprite you like, click the "Animate" button on that image's card to proceed.

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Animating a Sprite

Once you have a static sprite, you can bring it to life with animation.

1. Initiate Animation: After generating a sprite in the "New Sprite" tab, click the "Animate" button. An input box will appear.
2. Describe the Animation: In the input box, describe the motion you want the sprite to perform.
   • Examples: "idle animation," "walking cycle," "a powerful sword slash," "shattering into pieces."
   • Tip: You can leave this prompt blank. If you do, the AI will attempt to generate a suitable default animation, such as a subtle idle or breathing motion.
3. Generate the Animation: Click the arrow button to start the animation process. The interface will automatically switch to the "Animate Sprite" tab, where your chosen static sprite is pre-loaded, and the animation will begin generating.

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Animating an Existing Image

Use this workflow if you already have a static image you wish to animate.

1. Select the "Animate Sprite" Tab: Navigate to the second tab.
2. Upload or Select an Image:
   • If the tab is empty, you will be prompted to upload an image.
   • If an image is already loaded, you can click the trash icon to remove it and upload a new one.
   • This image should contain only the sprite. The background will be automatically removed by the AI, but you might get more higher quality results if the image is already clean from the start.
3. Describe the Animation: In the text prompt at the top, describe the desired animation (e.g., "running," "jumping," "basic attack").
4. Click "Animate Sprite" to generate the animated video.

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Viewing and Interacting with Results

After an animation is generated, it will appear in the gallery below the input area.

• Video Preview: The default view is a video of the animation on a neutral background.
• GIF Preview: Click the toggle icon in the top-left of the result card to switch to a GIF preview. The GIF version will have the background removed, and lets you preview exactly how the animation will look like with the selected number of frames.
• Contextual Options (Three-dot menu):
  • Edit Image: Opens the original static sprite in the Image Editor for modifications.
  • Generate New Animation: Keeps the same static sprite but allows you to enter a new animation prompt.
  • Download Video / Download GIF: Saves the respective file to your computer.
• Add to Favorites: Saves the animated sprite to your Favorites.

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Exporting Sprite Sheets

The primary output of the Sprite Generator is a game-ready sprite sheet.

1. On a generated animation card, click the "Export Sprite" icon (looks like a download arrow).
2. An "Export Sprite Sheet" dialog will appear.
3. Here, you can make final adjustments to the Loop Animation, Number of Frames, and Frame Size.
4. Click "Export Sprite Sheet".
5. A single PNG file containing all the animation frames arranged in a grid will be downloaded. This file can be directly imported into game engines like Unity, Godot, or Unreal Engine.

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Generating Audio

You can add sound effects to your animations directly within the tool.

1. On a generated animation card, click the musical note icon.
2. An input box will appear. Describe the sound you want to hear.
   • Example: "shattering glass sound," "whoosh of a sword swing," "robotic footsteps."
   • You can also leave the input box empty. The AI will generate suitable sounds automatically.
3. Click the arrow to generate. The audio will be added to the video preview.
4. You can download the audio as a separate MP3 file from the three-dot menu.