Gaming World Forums

Creativity => Game Design & Demos => Topic started by: Paul3K on August 08, 2010, 08:25:42 am

Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 08, 2010, 08:25:42 am
(http://i33.tinypic.com/358oqgy.png)             (http://i34.tinypic.com/33n9nye.png)

Okay, the left one is the actual file. Right one is what RPG Maker 2K3 makes it look like. I've tried lots of stuff like blurring it and sharpening it but still no avail. I am using Photoshop and have tried all sorts.
I've come to the conclusion that it's just not possible to make it as clear as it actually is. So I'm posting on here to see if any of you guys could possibly know a solution or fix. Thanks guys.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: EvilDemonCreature on August 08, 2010, 04:04:01 pm
I think it is reducing the number of colors used when it imports the image, so anything you do to edit that image that results with shades in-between the ones present on the RPGMaker version will just get reduced again when the image actually put into RPGMaker.

If you can make the gradient look smoother using the exact same number of colors as the example on the right, then I'm pretty sure RPGMaker will have to interpret the image the same way as you see it without changing anything.

Have you tried dithering? (If you are looking for the quick fix, then don't even bother googling the term though. It is going to be a laborious manual process no matter which program you use, although I'd recommend MSPaint over Photoshop for it's ease of use in situations with limited color images.)
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Taylor Kaz on August 08, 2010, 05:15:11 pm
In Paint Shop Pro, there is a decrease color depth option for 256 colors.  select optimized ocree to start, but there are 3 options when you decrease the color depth so that it will fade well. 
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: hero_bash on August 08, 2010, 07:31:33 pm
in irfanview you can also convert to 256 just check flloyd-steinberg dithering to minimize apparent loss
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Mateui on August 08, 2010, 08:23:04 pm
Here's how the image turned out when I saved it in photoshop:
(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2189/gradienttest.png)

Just use "Save for Web/Devices" and set the image as a PNG-8 with 256 colors so that it will be compatible in Rm2k3. When I saved it this way it's using less than 256 colors anyway.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Vanit on August 09, 2010, 02:44:43 am
Oh sweet! I didn't realise there was a way to get around that.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 09, 2010, 05:35:12 am
Mateui, I did what you said, but when I view it in RPG Maker, you can still see the bands pretty bad.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: hero_bash on August 09, 2010, 12:05:56 pm
hmm
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: bonzi_buddy on August 09, 2010, 03:18:07 pm
so uh maybe rk2k stretches the gradient. maybe it's impossible to make it smooth!
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Corfaisus on August 09, 2010, 03:24:58 pm
EDIT: Nevermind, my idea wouldn't have worked. Looks like your only option is to move up to XP or VX.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: tuxedo marx on August 09, 2010, 05:42:18 pm
alternatively you could make do with it looking like 2D video game graphics rather than a photoshop mockup
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 09, 2010, 07:24:24 pm
(http://i33.tinypic.com/23ucygi.png)

This is the best i've got it to look. Guess this is the best 2k3 can do. I like your thinking geodude ^^
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Terrorantula on August 09, 2010, 10:20:22 pm
I'll try reducing the colors in Irfanview. Also are you using it in a system? If so, remember that there are two different ways to use a pattern in a window: stretch and tile. The different treatments usually have different results.
OK, two ways of processing it...

"Decrease color depth " + Floyd-steinberg: (https://legacy.gamingw.net/etc/i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/Purplesnoopy/blu2.webp)\

"Save for web" using RIOT plugin: (https://legacy.gamingw.net/etc/i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/Purplesnoopy/blu.webp)
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 09, 2010, 11:29:39 pm
Ok Terrorantula, I did exactly what you said and it has given the best outcome as of yet. But, it's still not the desired outcome I had hoped for.  It gives like a "noise" effect to it, which is noticeable and kinda ugly :( but it's the best I've had it so far. Do you think there is any other way to do this? If not, then I'm just gonna naff it off as I am spending too much time on it.
Oh and also, it's not for a system set, it's just being used as a picture.

(http://i35.tinypic.com/2yycj01.png)

Save the image and zoom in to take a look yourself.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: tuxedo marx on August 10, 2010, 01:04:07 am
that's just dithering. it looks fine
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: hero_bash on August 10, 2010, 02:05:50 am
and noone would really care
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Vellfire on August 10, 2010, 02:12:52 am
I really wouldn't have cared if you had used the first one you had a problem with.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 10, 2010, 02:39:09 am
Fair enough. Thanks guys :D
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: General Robert E. Lee on August 10, 2010, 03:25:17 am
Ugh god that looks terrible
I'd never play a game that had crap like that in it
Seriously
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Terrorantula on August 10, 2010, 04:46:25 am
*Pokes Lee with a bayonet*  This is why I would've defected to the  Union...  :rolleyes:
If you're using the blue for water, mist, or void, why not use a panorama instead? I could even whip something special up for you...
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Bobberticus on August 10, 2010, 10:22:18 am
protip: even if you can get an image down to <256 colors doesn't necessarily mean rm2k will be able to display all of those colors. i spent a long time on this once back in the day.
(i suppose it only uses 16-bit color maybe?)

and. with a diagonal gradient like that, the dithering definitely looks better than no dithering.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: kentona on August 10, 2010, 08:32:39 pm
i demand only the finest gradients in my games.  good day sir!
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 10, 2010, 09:06:22 pm
GOOD DAY!
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Terrorantula on August 12, 2010, 08:05:45 pm
IF you're using it for a lake a panorama of reflected clouds would work really well, and, unlike a picture, a panorama can scroll- the clouds being blown across the sky by the wind.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Alec on August 12, 2010, 08:16:41 pm
why would he be using a gradient for a lake? It looks nothing like water.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Terrorantula on August 12, 2010, 08:25:31 pm
I don't know- because he had nothing better to use?
Anyway, I just wanna know what the heck this is for, so if possible I can help.  I see a big blue hole, which makes no sense to me at all unless it's a kind of void.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Taylor Kaz on August 12, 2010, 08:30:04 pm
I think he was just displaying it in game to show what was happening.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: hero_bash on August 12, 2010, 08:57:02 pm
I thought it was a lake
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Alec on August 13, 2010, 01:58:24 am
I think he was just displaying it in game to show what was happening.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 13, 2010, 09:27:55 am
It's just a background for a frame in my menu. Not water. (Just thought I'd clear that up)
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: hero_bash on August 13, 2010, 03:36:33 pm
make it water and i'd play your game
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Paul3K on August 13, 2010, 05:55:04 pm
make it water and i'd play your game

I might just add that then, just for you.
Title: Help me with gradients. plllzzz
Post by: Terrorantula on August 14, 2010, 08:51:36 pm
Heh.

I don;t think he planned a lake. . . but if he needs one, I'll be glad to whip up a lake pano or something.