Preparing a Custom Sprite

You can load different types of media, videos or images to create a sprite. When a sprite contains a series of image or videos, then you may create Image Replacement Animations in Stage mode with setting keys.

Loading Media to Form a New Sprite

Prop

1. In Stage Mode, click the Import Media button on the left-side tool bar.
2. Click the Props button in the Import Media panel.
   
3. Load multiple media files. A sprite with multiple media files will be created afterward.
   

Two More Methods to Create a Sprite or to Add More Media to a Sprite

If you want to create a sprite, or append more media onto an existing sprite, then you may use the two methods below:

• Sprite Editor in actor or prop composer mode.
• Drag and Drop from media source folders.

Using the Sprite Editor

1. Character
   1. Select an existing character.
      
   2. Click the Character Composer button on the left-side tool bar.
   3. Select a body part (sprite).
      
   4. click the Sprite Editor button at the left-side tool bar. The Sprite Editor panel shows.
      
      • You may click another body part without closing the Sprite Editor.
   5. Click the Insert button. Load one or more media files.
   6. This body part is now a sprite with multiple media files. All the media files are now listed in the panel.
      

      The possible look of the body part

2. Prop
   1. Select an existing prop.
      
   2. Click the Prop Composer button at the left-side tool bar.
   3. Click the Sprite Editor button at the left-side tool bar. The Sprite Editor panel shows.
      
   4. Click the Insert button in the Sprite Editor panel. Load one or more media files.
   5. This sprite is now appended with multiple media files. All the media files are now listed in the panel.
      

      Different possibilities for a prop

      Note:

      The elements of a sprite can be media files in different formats: Image: *.jpg, *.bmp, *.gif, *.png, *.tga. Video: *.avi, *.wmv, *.mpg, *.mpeg, *.mpe, *.flv, *.mov, *.swf Reallusion Specific Format: *.iWidget, *.popVideo You may select a video file and click the Preview button to preview the results. Select an element thumbnail in the list. Click the Replace button to load a new file that will replace the selected one. Select an element thumbnail in the list and press the Delete key to remove the element from the list. No matter which media file is selected from the list in the Composer Mode, the sprite will always shows the first one in the Stage Mode.

Drag and Drop from Media Source Folders

1. Creating a Prop with Multiple Media
   1. Select multiple media files from the source folder in Stage Mode.
      
   2. Drag and drop into the working area of CrazyTalk Animator.
      
   3. A new sprite prop containing several media files is generated.
      
2. Appending Media to a Sprite
   1. Select a character or a prop. Switch to the Composer mode.
      
   2. Select single or multiple image files in the source folder.
      
   3. Drag and drop onto the target sprite in the working area of CrazyTalk Animator.
      
   4. Pick the sprite and click the Sprite Editor button. The media will then be converted into the elements of the sprite.