Pixel Art Details

Title:	The importance of Stone Tiles
Pixel Artist:	Adarias (Level 11 Bonsai :: 35377 points)
Posted:	3/12/2008 10:38
Palette:	5 colors
Statistics:	15 comments 53 faves 0 avatars
While i'm not usually one for a quick palette-swap to achieve extra tiles, i think that it has its place, particularly when users say things like "I can't draw such a texture!" This is a quick demonstration showing that a very basic rock texture can be used for a few things. I began with the red stones and worked from there. original (red-orange stone) - direct invert of original (blue-green water) palette swap 1 for neutrals (steely water) - value invert of palette swap 1 (grey stone) palette swap 2 for lighter, yellower (sand) - reverse entries of palette swap 2 (cracked desert). Are they better than tiles that were drawn new each time by hand? Of course not. But this is just to show that the novice (or somebody working under strict deadlines) can make a lot with a little. Seen in respective locations too, with different arrangements, the similarities would not be so obvious to the player.

Discussion

If you would like to comment you will need to be logged in. Register now. It only takes a moment and it's free.

Dredlockz (Level 5 Detective) @ 7/23/2012 22:22

This is brilliant!
And doing things like this is in the spirit of where pixel art came from: Making the best stuff under great limitations.

An example just off the top of my head are those bushes and clouds from the original Mario Bros.

King of Games (Level 1 Thug) @ 3/31/2011 18:00

A great study on the versatility of tiles.

Hiuru (Level 5 Killer Klown) @ 9/29/2010 19:56

This works like a charm :) thanks, i found this very helpful.

slym (Level 8 Cannelé) @ 1/13/2010 14:52

Haha Adarias, I just tried this out with my stone tiles. Worked perfectly. It's weird how one tile pattern can do so much after you change the depth and colors. Thank you for showing me this great way to make more tiles. Great work as always Adarias.

BruceJuice (Level 4 Mercenary) @ 2/13/2009 02:02

I'm surprised more people didn't favorite this piece. It's a great example.

lap1994 (Level 2 Hired Gun) @ 6/21/2008 21:29

Haha! This is a good way to avoid draw more tiles. Nice job

Turbo (Level 1 Rookie) @ 3/19/2008 14:49

great great! good interesting experience.

Feron (Level 4 Mercenary) @ 3/12/2008 16:45

I only like the red one and inverted to water. that is really clever (and possibly has the most use), but to me the others don't really read as you've described. now try and make some transition tiles that work in the same way :P

Darth Mandarb (Level 10 Operative) @ 3/12/2008 16:12

interesting concept and visuals! Good job!

Hatch (Level 3 Hatchikyu) @ 3/12/2008 15:26

Neat stuff!

Doppleganger (Level 6 Yonkyu) @ 3/12/2008 14:05

That's a swell demonstration. I'm not sure if the single tile in the second version of the stone tiles is supposed to be water, but I believe that it's the only one that doesn't read well if it is. My favorite tiles would be the stone ones in the same example. The brown bumps on the gray rock look quite nice.

Larwick (Level 8 Tengu) @ 3/12/2008 13:34

I quite like how when the darker lines used to seperate stones in some tiles are made light, because it seems to immediately make it look like a water tile. To me anyway.

Adarias (Level 11 Bonsai) @ 3/12/2008 11:38

the point is just to show people who are daunted that there's no fundamental difference between most tiles, that pixels are just pixels. That there's no reason to think, as many people do, that you "can't draw a certain tile" when you can draw other surfaces easily. Like I said, this is nowhere near as good as a set in which each is drawn by hand, and never will be - this is meant to be a demonstration of a concept, not a prescription of technique (anybody who tries to use palette swaps for everything will find that it does not work for grass, snow, or a myriad of other textures)

you're hardly a novice, so it's little wonder you find it a bit patronizing. This was not meant for users like you who don't have the same fears - in the same way i wouldn't tell an architect how to use a compass.

FrostPumpkin (Level 6 Aquamarine) @ 3/12/2008 11:25

I just like the tiles, not the description.
It is like "look a this, so simple too make...you've just to do this, this and this, so easy, isn't it ?"...Sorry, maybe I'm wrong.

7even (Level 9 T-rex) @ 3/12/2008 11:16

That should be a mini-article someday. Like, today.
I'll remember that for sure, since I'm not that good with texture tiles. I think it's the first time I'd say thanks rather than congratulations :)

Related & Tags

The importance of Stone Tiles avatars, The importance of Stone Tiles icons, The importance of Stone Tiles pixel art, The importance of Stone Tiles forum avatars, The importance of Stone Tiles AOL Buddy Icons

Donate

Want to give some dough back to all those amazing pixel artists? Donations provide prize money for contests, help cover hosting costs and support new initiatives.

Support the arts!

The importance of Stone Tiles

Pixel Art Details

Discussion

Related & Tags

Sponsored Products

Donate

Report Problem

Register

Already Registered?