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Official MAS Art PSDs and Guidelines

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potato edited this page Aug 28, 2022 · 16 revisions

Here is the official PSDs and guidelines for creating Monika art for MAS.

LEGAL

Creations/Modifications/Edits based off these sprite sets are not permitted for use outside of the Monika After Story Mod without express consent from the Monika After Story team or the creator of said art.

Art in the following sprite sets are not permitted for use outside of the Monika After Story Mod without express consent from the Monika After Story team.

  • uprightbase.psd
  • leaningbase.psd
  • uprightexp.psd
  • leaningexp.psd
  • justtwilight.psd
  • ribbons.xcf
  • new_hair_color.xcf

The following credits are for contributions to the base psds. Outfits are/will be credited on the Credits wiki page

Special thanks to:

  • Iron707#6209 - building the base
  • TarossVelin#8698 - splitting hair, ribbons
  • @metisz - extending upright hair sprites so they look nice with the base, adding tears to closedsad and closedhappy eyes
  • @Olliesama - recoloring the base sprites so they don't look sunburnt.
  • @trilasent - smoothing out jawline issues and leaning pose issues, hair color adjustments
  • @Professor-JMO - fixing some hair issues and adding shading to them, shading base sprites, clavicle reshade
  • @Orcaramelo - redoing hair sprites so they look better, better table, better leaning arm, redoing blush
  • @Velius94 - redoing eyes/mouth/nose/desk

TOC:

  1. TODOs
  2. Official Spritepack Submissions
  3. Render Order
    1. ACS render codes
  4. Overall Guidelines
  5. Hair Sprite Guidelines
    1. Split Hair
    2. Ribbon Concerns
    3. Submitting New Hair
  6. Clothes Sprite Guidelines
    1. Split Body
    2. Split Arms
    3. Base Sprites
    4. Submitting New Clothes
  7. ACS Sprite Guidelines
    1. Render Layers
    2. Poses
    3. Submitting New ACS
  8. PSDs/XCFs
    1. Base Monika
    2. Outfits
    3. ACS
    4. Hair Color Adjustment Layer
  9. Extra
    1. Converting hair sprites to the new color scheme
  10. Revision History

TODOs

These are open TODOs for art that we would like to have completed. If you want to help out with one of these TODOs, please create an issue saying that you are working on it.

  • Outfit wishlist Link Status: ongoing
  • user requests Search link - pick a request, one issue per request. Status: ongoing

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Official Spritepack Submissions

If you want to submit your spritepack to the official spritepacks (aka, the bundle of spritepacks we list on the website), then you will need to request that your spritepack be included by creating an issue or letting us know in your issue. Otherwise, we will assume that you do not want it to be included in the official spritepacks.

Spritepacks included in the official spritepacks zip are subject to a higher standard:

  • if there are any visual issues with the sprites, we may ask you to fix them or we will fix them ourselves.
  • we have the final say on gifting dialogue/description/naming of the sprite object in game
  • we have the final say on how the sprite is used in game - this includes introducing the sprite object in some non-standard way.
  • we own future adjustments to the spritepack if needed in the future

If you want to remove your spritepack from the official spritepacks, make a new issue requesting so. They will be removed from the official spritepack zips in a timely manner.

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Render Order

When we render in-game sprites, we do in a very specific order. We also allow for several spots for accessories (ACS) to be rendered as well. These are marked below with "ACS".

NOTE: Both leaning and non-leaning sprites will follow this order.

  1. PRE ACS
  2. Back hair
  3. BBH ACS
  4. Chair
  5. Body base 0
  6. BSE ACS 0
  7. Body outfit 0
  8. BBA ACS
  9. Arms base 0
  10. ASE ACS 0
  11. Arms outfit 0
  12. BMH ACS
  13. Mid hair
  14. MMH ACS
  15. Body head
  16. BAT ACS
  17. Table
  18. MAT ACS
  19. Arms base 5
  20. ASE ACS 5
  21. Arms outfit 5
  22. MAB ACS
  23. Body base 1
  24. BSE ACS 1
  25. Body outfit 1
  26. BFH ACS
  27. Facial expressions (blush)
  28. Front hair
  29. AFH ACS
  30. Facial expressions (except blush)
  31. MID ACS
  32. Arms base 10
  33. ASE ACS 10
  34. Arms outfit 10
  35. PST ACS

ACS render codes:

  • PRE - 0 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered before everything
  • BSE - 8 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between the body base and body outfit
  • BBA - 6 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between body base 0 and arms-base-0
  • ASE - 9 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between arms base and arms outfit
  • BMH - 12 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between arms-0 and mid hair
  • MMH - 13 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between mid hair and head
  • BAT - 10 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between mid hair and table
  • MAT - 11 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between the table and arms-5
  • MAB - 7 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between arms-5 and body-1
  • BBH - 3 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between back hair/body
  • BFH - 4 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between body/front hair
  • AFH - 5 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between front hair/face
  • MID - 1- ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered between arms/face expressions
  • PST - 2 - ACS layer for accessories that should be rendered after everything

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Overall Guidelines

Generally, all submissions must have the following requirements:

  • Resolution is at 2560x1700
  • Only day versions
  • Includes both leaning and upright versions
  • PSD format or exported PNGs of the appropriate resolution.
    • An exception to this is if the original images were available in XCF, in which case an XCF is okay, too
    • IMPORTANT: PSD must be compatible with CS6

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Hair Sprite Guidelines

Split Hair

All new hair styles MUST be split into 2 layers, the back layer and the front layer. Think of the back layer as hair that would be behind the body. Front layer should hair that would appear on top of the body.

Both hair layers should be complete, without cuts for the body/arms. The render order will handle the appearance appropriately.

There is also an optional 3rd layer, called "mid" that is rendered behind the head, but above the body.

Ribbon Concerns

If you are creating a hairstyle that uses the ribbon, do not change the position of the ribbon. Since we can different colored ribbons, changing the position of the ribbon would require an entire set of ACS sprites for your ribbon and will subsequently be rejected.

Submitting New Hair

Ensure the following:

  • Resolution is at 2560x1700
  • Only day versions are required
  • Both leaning and upright versions have been created
  • Hair is split (see Split Hair above)
  • PSD format or exported PNGs of the appropriate resolution.
  1. Create a new issue on github titled: Hair - name of your hairstyle
  2. Link your issue to this one by typing #3174 in the body of the issue somewhere.
  3. upload or link your PSD/images to the issue.

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Clothes Sprite Guidelines

All outfits consist of two sets of sprites: body and arms.

Split Body

Body sprites should be split such that the boob overhang (parts of boobs that hang past the sides of the body sprite, and would cover arms) is a separate layer. (See the base sprites for examples). The torso body sprites are rendered as body 0, while the boob sprites are rendered as body 1.

Body sprites should also include leaning variants.

Split Arms

Arm sprites should be split depending on pose. There are 3 primary layers for arms:

  • layer 0 - these arms are rendered before the table
  • layer 5 - these arms are rendered above the table, but before body-1
  • layer 10 - these arms are rendered above body-1

NOTE: The base arms are effectively your guideline to what layers outfits can use. In general, you can only use layers at or above the base layers. Layers below the base layers will get covered and become useless. If you need to use a layer below a base layer for an arm, please make an issue about it. We're hesitant to change the base layers at this time.

The base arms are rendered as follows:

  • arms-0
    • left-down
    • right-down
    • right-point
  • arms-5
    • crossed
    • def|right-def
  • arms-10
    • crossed
    • left-rest
    • right-restpoint
    • steepling
    • def|left-def
    • def|right-def

Base sprites

Base sprites are always rendered before clothes, which means outfits do not need to include base sprites. The layering is complex, so please check the base sprites to ensure that your outfit covers the base sprites entirely (if applicable). When making splits, cut the outfit sprite splits so that they are larger than the base sprites to ensure full coverage.

Submitting New Clothes

Ensure the following:

  • Resolution is at 2560x1700
  • Only day versions are required
  • Both leaning and upright versions have been created
  • Clothes are a separate layer from the base layer. (Don't bake them together)
  • All poses are accounted for (See Poses above)
  • PSD format or exported PNGs of the appropriate resolution.
  1. Create a new issue on github titled: Clothes - name of your outfit
  2. Link your issue to this one by typing #3174 in the body of the issue somewhere.
  3. upload or link your PSD/images to the issue.

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ACS Sprite Guidelines

Render Layers

ACS can be rendered in a specific layer. This means you do not have to add cuts to your ACS for body/arm/hair layers. For a list of the layers, see the ACS Render Codes section in the Render Order section above.

Poses

Like clothes, ACS should be created for all poses, unless it is not visible in a pose (like hand jewelry). See the Poses section in the Clothes Guidelines for more info on Poses.

Ideas

The sprite system is designed to be versatile with its layering rules, so we should be able to handle a variety of ACS. Here are some ideas:

  • hairpins/hairclips
  • rings
  • chokers
  • necklackes
  • other jewlery
  • glasses
  • face tattoos
  • whatever

NOTE: ACS that vary based on facial expression (lip pierceings, eyelashes, lipstick) are not supported for now.

Submitting New ACS

Ensure the following:

  • Resolution is at 2560x1700
  • Only day versions are required
  • Both leaning and upright versions have been created (if applicable)
  • All poses are accounted for (if applicable) (See poses above)
  • PSD format or exported PNGs of the appropriate resolution. NOTE: Some ACS have extra guidelines and requirements. Please check the PSDs section below for more information about specific ACS
  1. Create a new issue on github titled: ACS - name of your accessory
  2. Link your issue to this one by typing #3174 in the body of the issue somewhere.
  3. upload or link your PSD/images to the issue.

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PSDx/XCFs

All PSDS/XCFS are located here: Link to Gdrive

Important things to note:

  • Layer order in the PSDs are the same as render order and is reflective of what actually happens in-game. Please ensure that you test your art in the correct layer level.
  • Everything is at double the in-game resolution (2560x1700). Please create your art in that resolution.
  • The "night" layer is our night filter. Ignore twilight.

Base Monika

The Base PSDS are the only ones with updated hair. Any hair adjusts should be made to those psds.

Upright

File uprightbase.psd

Ideal for:

  • Creating new outfits
  • Creating new accessories
  • Creating new hairstyles

Contains:

  • Night Filter
  • Sample Expression
  • Base Monika body sprite
  • Base Monika arm sprites
  • Split Hair sprites
  • Table sprite

Leaning

File leaningbase.psd

Ideal for:

  • Creating new outfits
  • Creating new accessories
  • Creating new hairstyles

Contains:

  • Night Filter
  • Sample Leaning Expression
  • Base Monika leaning body sprite
  • Base Monika leaning arm sprites
  • Split Hair leaning sprites
  • Table sprite

Outfits

Blazer/Uniform

By @velius94, @Ryuse File outfits/blazer (uniform) outfit/upright.psd File outfits/blazer (uniform) outfit/leaning.psd

Contains:

  • blazer outfit

Casual/Vday/Sundress White

By @EntonyEscX , @Orcaramelo File outfits/casual (vday) outfit/upright.psd File outfits/casual (vday) outfit/leaning.psd

Contains:

  • vday outfit
  • brown hairties bracelet
  • gold musicnote necklace

Santa Monika

NOTE: Not available yet...

Marisa/Witch

NOTE: Not available yet...

Rin/Neko

NOTE: Not available yet...

ACS

Colored Ribbons

File acs/ribbons/ribbons.xcf

NOTE: This is an XCF because its easier for us to save colorization using gimp settings.

Ideal for:

  • Checking if your desired ribbon color already exists
  • Making a new colored ribbon

Contains:

  • Day/Night versions of upright ribbons
  • Day/Night versions of leaning ribbons

Usage Notes:

  • Duplicate the acs-ribbon_def-0.png and acs-ribbon_def-5.png layers. Use those for colorizing. We also have a fully white version which can also be used for colorizing.
  • When adding a new color, grab the twilight filter PSD (explained below) and check the night version. If the night version changes the color too much, then explain in your issue that we should render the night version without the color portion of the twilight filter. If you are unsure, then we will decide the fate of the night version.
  • When submitting a new ribbon color, submit the colorization settings and html color code used to generate the new color. (If using gimp, export the settings in the colorize tool)

Colored Ribbons (color settings)

  • File acs/ribbons/color settings/*

Ideal for:

  • Trying out existing colorization settings on other things.

Contains:

  • Colorization settings for the ribbon.

Usage Notes:

  • These are exported from gimp. The actual format is just plaintext so you can open it up in text editor and figure out what the colorization settings are from there. Gimp can import these using the colorization tool.

Other

Night Filter

File utility/justtwilight.psd

Ideal for:

  • Testing how something looks with the night filter.

Contains:

  • night Filter

Usage Notes:

  • The filter is always applied as the top-most layer, via clipping mask.
  • The original Twilight filter is unused now but kept around for archival reasons.

Expressions

  • File uprightexp.psd
  • File leaningexp.psd

Ideal for:

  • New facial expressions
  • Edits to existing facial expressions

Contains:

  • Facial expressions

Usage Notes:

  • Leaning expressions are just upright expressions rotated 18 degrees. It is recommended to make upright expressions and rotate them rather than make leaning-specific expressions.

Hair Color Adjustment Layer

  • File utility/new_hair_color.xcf

Ideal for:

  • Converting existing hair sprites to the new hair color (0.12.4+)

Contains:

  • Single overlay layer in HSV Saturation mode + layer mask
    • H - 14.4
    • S - 43.2
    • V - 94.5
    • #f1a289
    • 36% opacity
    • should already be set as a layer mask (aka clipping mask)

Usage Notes:

  • Use the layer as a layer mask over your hair sprites to get the updated hair color

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Extra:

downscaling steps

In-game sprites are 1280x850, which is half of the size we use to when creating them. For maximum visual fidelity, we use the following options when downscaling.

Photoshop 2021

  • use the preserve details option when exporting 1280x850 PNGs.

GIMP

  • use the linear or lohalo when interpolating to 1280x850

Converting existing hair sprites to the new color scheme

You must use GIMP to convert sprites.

  1. Export your hair sprites into individual PNGs (if not done so already).
  2. Open the new_hair_color.xcf in GIMP.
  3. Open each PNG into GIMP as a layer (File > Open as Layers)
  4. Rearrange the layers so that the USE AS MASK layer is on top.
  5. Export each hair sprite individually, using the USE AS MASK layer as a layer/clipping mask. (File > Export As (Shift+Ctrl+E))

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PSD Revision History:

  • 2021-10-17 - Updated leaning/upright base with recolored hair sprites. Added new XCF for the new hair color.
  • 2021-10-02 - Updated front down hair in upright base with minor fix
  • 2021-06-26 - Updated leaning/upright base with the new head layer
  • 2020-05-01 - Updated leaning/upright base to only include the layers that matter
  • 2020-04-11 - Updated leaning/upright base with new arm layers format
  • 2020-02-15 - Updated leaning/upright base desk with new desk from @Velius94. Updated soft eyes in leaning/uprightexp with updates from @Professor-JMO.
  • 2020-01-17 - Removed excess boobshine (@Orcaramelo )
  • 2019-12-03 - Updated base point right arm and leaning base arm cutout indicator (@Velius94 )
  • 2019-11-12 - Removed extra skin from base right rest point arm.
  • 2019-09-27 - Updated Uniform PSD to work with light base arm edits
  • 2019-09-18 - Updated expression PSDs with remade blush from @orcaramelo
  • 2019-09-17 - Fixed small issues with base arms in both upright and leaning poses, new leaning base (@orcaramelo + @Velius94 )
  • 2019-09-02: Fixed issue with front hairs
  • 2019-09-01: Added Soft eyes from @Professor-JMO. Updated base psds with cleaned hair (@orcaramelo) and updated the sample exp
  • 2019-08-23: Fixed transparency hole in rest left arm in upright base. Updated Santa/Uniform/vday outfits with new base.
  • 2019-08-20: Updated expression PSDs with remade expressions from @velius94
  • 2019-08-08: Updated vday outfit and ACS to use remade outfit from @Orcaramelo, fix body-1 issue in leaning base
  • 2019-08-07: Updated vday outfit and ACS to go with new base layout
  • 2019-08-06: Fixed issue with body-1 in base and uniform sprites
  • 2019-08-05: Updated uniform sprites to go with new base layout
  • 2019-08-03: Added updated base sprites from @Professor-JMO, better night filter from @Orcaramelo
  • 2019-05-16: Added color corrections from @trilasent
  • 2019-05-07: Fixed incorrect positioning on leaning streaming tears
  • 2019-05-06: Added final set of tears from @metisz
  • 2019-05-04: Added redone hair and better table from @Orcaramelo
  • 2019-04-06: Added leaning expression psd.
  • 2019-03-30: Added new clavicles to sundress (vday), added new tears courtesy of @metisz
  • 2019-03-09: Changed order in upright facial expressions psd so its the same as render order, added clavicles from sovietspartan
  • 2019-02-24: Added upright facial expressions psd, added better hair from @Professor-JMO
  • 2019-02-22: Added updated/cleaned blazer/uniform psds from @velius94
  • 2019-02-20: Added vday outfit psds
  • 2019-02-19: Leaning base now uses fixed leaning pose from @trilasent , upright and leaning have correct render order now
  • 2019-02-15: Upright base now uses smoother jawline base from @trilasent
  • 2019-02-07: Recolored base psds (upright + leaning) so Monika does not look sunburnt, resized the psds so they are no longer 2562x1700
  • 2019-02-04: Added ribbon color settings for gimp, fixed front hair ribbon issues for upright ponytail/bun hairstyles
  • 2019-02-03: Added ribbons xcf and twilight filter psd
  • 2019-01-30: Cleaned table sprite so the edges are more defined and consistent, as well as color gradients
  • 2019-01-28: Added Casual (vday) outfit psds. (@EntonyEscX )
  • 2019-01-27: Added fixed upright hair sprites form @metisz, filled in transparency holes in many of the arms.
  • 2019-01-26: Added table shading for point right arm in upright
  • 2019-01-26: Removed extra artifacts in the split hair sprites, added grey BG layer for helping with detecting extra artifacts (taken from @EntonyEscX 's psd)
  • 2019-01-16: Fixed a fringe coming off table sprite, fixed arms down not reaching table
  • 2019-01-16: Initial Release
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