8-Bit sprite sideart

[gman314]

I recently came up with an idea for some cool sideart, but I'm not sure how to create it.  I was thinking of taking numerous 8-bit sprites, particularly from the NES (maybe some SNES and others thrown in there too), and create an epic scene of them coexisting/battling it out.  To name a few examples, one idea I had was to put "fire" Mario from Super Mario Bros against Link from Zelda 2.  Also, I would have Ken from SF2 fighting Scorpion from MK.  I was thinking that this epic battle could take place on a specific Metroid (NES) background (the scene with the blue platforms close to the beginning of the game).  I'm thinking that there could be a separate "event" taking place on each of the platforms.
The only problem is that I'm not really sure how to implement these ideas.  I've found 8-bit sprites, but they're all on sheets connected to other 8-bit sprites.  I would need to copy and paste individual sprites.  Also, I'm having trouble locating the Metroid background screen that I am looking for.  Does anyone know how I could go about this idea?  I really want artwork that stands out for my next project.  Thanks     

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

http://cotmm.org/metroid.png
Epic enough? (:

[gman314]

I have seen that pic before, but I am only interested in the blue platforming section.  Is there away to cut out and enlarge just that part?  Also, how could I add any sprites?   

[bkenobi]

Not to be discouraging, but if you don't know how to edit a picture with cut/paste, perhaps you should reconsider your goal.  Maybe learning to use an editor would be a better first step.  Just saying.   

[Ginsu Victim]

Not to be discouraging, but if you don't know how to edit a picture with cut/paste, perhaps you should reconsider your goal.  Maybe learning to use an editor would be a better first step.  Just saying.   

I've gotta agree. When I read in the first paragraph that he had sprite sheets and didn't know how to copy / paste them, I didn't see how he was going to make anything.

[gman314]

All I was trying to figure out was how I could copy/paste a single sprite from a sheet.  When I try to copy a single one, the whole sheet copies.  And just so you know, I have never spent any time playing around with an editor.  Is there a specific program that anyone recommends?  If so, then I will take some time to learn it.

I was under the impression that I could simply copy/paste sprites onto a background, and then just print it out.  I guess not though.   

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Photoshop is the de facto standard for heavy image manipulation. it's also expensive, which is why it's probably also one of the most pirated programs as well.

For tinkering you might try something like this:
http://www.picnik.com/

it's an in-browser photo editor. I've not used it a lot recently, but when I did a few months ago it seemed pretty reasonable for just playing around.

[shateredsoul]

If you have a friend, cousin, newphew, or someone you know going to college.. they can probably buy photshop for a huge discount. There's also a program called GIMP, very similar to photoshop and it's free.  Probably fine for what you want to do.



Still expensive but way better than buying straight from adobe.  I believe there's some online stores for this too... but they make you super duper promise that you're a student. lol

There is also that other way.....