Unlock Your Creativity: Make Amazing Custom Characters in Fraytools!

Unlock Your Creativity: Make Amazing Custom Characters in Fraytools!

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Installing Freight Tools
3. Setting Up the File
4. Exporting and Testing the Character
5. Importing Sprites
6. Creating Idle Animation
7. Adding Hurt Box and Hit Box
8. Creating Basic Attacks
9. Adding Projectiles
10. Customizing Menus and HUD
11. Creating Costumes
12. Uploading Your Content
13. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to the character creation guide for Freight Tools! In this guide, I will walk You through the process of creating your own character using Freight Tools. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this guide will provide you with the basics and walk you through the entire process. So let's dive in and get started!

Installing Freight Tools

Before we begin, you'll need to install Freight Tools. Follow the guide provided in the description to set up Freight Tools and install the necessary plugins. Make sure you have Freight Tools installed, the character template set up, and the required plugins from the setup guide. Once you have these checked off, we can move on to the next steps.

Setting Up the File

To start creating your character, open Freight Tools and navigate to the top left where it says "File." Click on "New Project from Template." Create a new folder in your documents or desired location and name it your character's name. Set the file name to match the character's name as well. Check if all the animations for your character are present under Character Entity -> Animations. Next, go to Manifest.json at the bottom left and change the resource ID to your character's name. Also, change the ID in Character Entity Properties to match the resource ID. Finally, update the character template in the scripts to your character's name. With these updates, you are ready to export and test your character.

Exporting and Testing the Character

To export your character, go to your Steam and locate Freight Tools in your properties. Click on "Browse" to open the Freight Tools file. If you don't have a custom folder, create one and name it "Custom." Inside the custom folder, create a new folder with your character's name. Copy the location of this folder and go back to Freight Tools. Click on "Publish Project," add a folder, and browse to the location of your character's folder. Press "Publish All," and the file will be automatically placed in the correct location. Test if your character is being Read properly by going to the custom tab, clicking on "Reload Custom Content," and checking if your character appears.

Importing Sprites

Now it's time to import your character's sprites. Obtain your sprites either by creating them yourself or getting permission from the creator of Sprite rips. Once you have the sprites, go back to your character's folder and create a new folder named "Sprites." Paste all the sprites into this folder. Return to Freight Tools and refresh the sprites by pressing the refresh button. You should now see your character's sprites listed, ready for animation.

Creating Idle Animation

Start by creating your character's idle animation. In the animation timeline, add keyframes for each frame of the animation. Add each sprite to the corresponding keyframe and adjust the position if necessary. Once the keyframes and sprites are in place, you can see a basic idle animation. Test the animation in the game to see how it looks. If adjustments are needed, tweak the animation accordingly.

Adding Hurt Box and Hit Box

Ensure your character's animations have the necessary hurt box and hit box. Insert a new layer on the timeline and add a collision box. Change the collision box to a hurt box and adjust its size and position as needed. To add a hit box, follow the same steps but change the collision box to a hit box. Be mindful of the hit box number and its properties. It is essential to create accurate hurt boxes and hit boxes for your character's interactions with the game.

Creating Basic Attacks

Build your character's basic attacks using the knowledge gained from creating the idle animation. Use frame scripts to define the behavior and transitions between animations. Consider the number of frames for each attack, the sprite movements, and the addition of hit boxes and hurt boxes. Adjust the knockback, damage, and other stats of the hit boxes to define the impact of the attacks. Test the attacks in-game and make any necessary adjustments for balance and desired effects.

Adding Projectiles

Projectiles are similar to attacks but involve creating a separate entity with its own hit box animations. Add a projectile entity and customize its hit box stats, such as reflectability and absorbability. Define the projectile animations and behaviors, such as movement speed and gravity. Ensure the hit boxes and hurt boxes for the projectiles are properly set. Test the projectiles in-game and make any necessary tweaks.

Customizing Menus and HUD

Customize the in-game HUD, character select screen pictures, and menu appearance to enhance the overall experience of your character. Swap the default images with your own images in the palette section. Use the eyedropper tool to change colors and create different looks for your character and menus. Consider adding different HUD pictures to reflect the character's emotions or actions during gameplay.

Creating Costumes

Costumes allow players to customize their character's appearance. To create costumes, import alternative sprites into the palette section. Use the eyedropper tool to change colors and create distinct looks for each costume. You can add multiple palettes for different costumes and mix and match sprites for unique combinations. Test the costumes in-game and ensure they look good in both CSS and actual gameplay.

Uploading Your Content

Once you have completed your character, it's time to upload it to the Freight Tools Workshop. Before uploading, make sure to add the title, description, and version number to the meta file. Create a thumbnail image named "thumb.png" in a square format. Go back to Freight Tools, select your character, and click on "Upload." Follow the Prompts to upload your character to the Workshop. Ensure you have the appropriate permissions for any assets used before sharing your character with the community.

Conclusion

Congratulations on creating your character using Freight Tools! Through this guide, you have learned the basics of installation, file setup, animation creation, attack implementation, and customization. Keep experimenting and refining your character to make it unique and enjoyable. If you have any questions or need further guidance, refer to the API documentation and popular Freight Tools communities. Now it's time to share your masterpiece with the world and see how players react to your creation!

Highlights:

1. Step-by-step guide for creating characters in Freight Tools
2. Installation of Freight Tools and setup of character files
3. Importing sprites and creating animations
4. Adding hurt boxes, hit boxes, and basic attacks
5. Implementing projectiles and customizing menus
6. Creating costumes and uploading content to the Workshop

FAQ:

Q: How long does it take to create a character in Freight Tools? A: The time required to create a character in Freight Tools varies depending on the complexity of the character and your familiarity with the tool. Starting out, it may take longer as you learn the process, but with practice, you can become more efficient.

Q: Can I use custom sprites in my character creation? A: Yes, you can use custom sprites in your character creation. However, make sure you have the necessary permissions and follow any licensing requirements.

Q: Can I create multiple costumes for my character? A: Yes, you can create multiple costumes for your character by importing alternative sprites and customizing their colors in the palette section.

Q: How do I test my character in-game? A: To test your character in-game, export the file, place it in the correct location, and reload custom content in Freight Tools. Then, launch the game and select your character to see how it performs.

Q: How can I share my character with others? A: You can share your character with others by uploading it to the Freight Tools Workshop. Make sure to provide appropriate title, description, and thumbnail images for your character before uploading.