like if you want to anim in 2D, you have to draw each of the frames right? example a person running, you have to draw(windows paint) each step the person makes and blit each of it right? uh... is there a easier way? thanks!

my solution is to get someone else to do it!
that way, not only can i concentrate on the coding part, but also the sprites don''t look like crap

--- krez (krezisback@aol.com)

yeah actually am doing that, my girlfriend''s the one drawing my bmp''s, i just wanna know if there''s any other way? is there? thanks!

Depends upon what you consider to be easier...Much 2D game art is rendered in 3D using a program akin to 3DS Max or Milkshape3D. After the object is created, it is posed in different steps of the animation process before being rendered to the appropriate size for the game. This takes a long time because you are creating a complete 3D model prior to doing the rendering. However, this will save you time later since you can render new animation cycles quickly.

much 2d game art done in 3d rendering? heh. you silly newbie game players. most 2d game has been done by hand in a photoshop like app (using a stylus) or scanned after being drawn on paper (then touched up on the pc). using 3d models that are pre rendered is NOT 2d art at all since its done in 3d even if you are only using pre rendered images. its like saying shrek and final fantasy: spirits within are 2d animation films. get yourself a scanner and draw using paper. its propely easier. or the other route is to get the styles/pad combo and do it all digitally. if you dont mind the pre rendered NON 2d look, then go ahead and do it in 3d in something like blender. though at that point you may consider doing the game with 3d models.

quote: Original post by a person
much 2d game art done in 3d rendering? heh. you silly newbie game players.

Those silly newbies sure did make fools of themselves when they did that for Diablo II.

AP is right... Diablo 2 and most "big" 2D games use pre-rendered models.

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Ratfest.org

As to whether each frame of an animation must be separately blitted or not, there is practically no alternative. If you want to change what is being diplayed on screen then obviously the screen buffer must change. Now, how you choose to get that done is up to you. Certain api features may take care of it for you, but somewhere along the line, it gets done.

For a simple animation, such as a flickering flame, you could alternatively use color pallete rotation, but if you''re working with Windows, the over head may not be worth it.

As to the distinction between 2d and 3d animation, please recall that the screen is flat regardless of the argorthm use to generate the image displayed there, and unless we suddenly find ourselves using some sort of holographic display system, all computer games are merely two dimensional animation.

thanks guys for all your replies, anyway...

anonymouse poster: please, can you explain a bit further what you just posted, or can anyone else explain further what AP just said, thanks!

Canite: you said: "If you want to change what is being diplayed on screen then obviously the screen buffer must change", you mean the ''contents'' of the screen buffer must change? is that it? regarding palettes, can you do palettes animation if you''re screen runs more than 256 color? if so, pls explain how or pls post a link, thanks to you all!

You have to be in 256 colour mode to do palette animation.
To start off, you should do just hand drawn art as a placeholder. This way you can get something up and running quickly. Then if you play the game and say this has the makings of an awesome game, I just need better artwork, you can render new art and replace it. This way you spend all your time doing artwork before you have something tangible.

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Make it work.
Make it fast.