I, WindOctahedron, am a person who likes taking some sprites from the sprite library (sometimes multiple at the same time) and editing them. Of course, some sprites are easier to edit, others harder. However, there are some sprites which are so unnecessarily hard to edit that instead of moving those points around, I create an ellipse, reshape it until it looks exactly like what I tried to edit, and replace the original shape with my edited “ellipse”.
Here are some examples of sprites that are hard to edit, and reasons why (sorry, they are big):

This costume is composed of:

• one complex shape
  
• one complex shape which functions like an outline
  
• some other things
  

This costume is composed of:

• a lot of shapes which are not really complex
  
• one complex shape which functions like an outline and has so many points that it looks blue (because of the outlines of the reshape points)
  

This part of a costume has:

• a real outline (when you edit it, the shape itself changes, too)
  
• too many unnecessary points at the bottom
  

And now I'll show you a sprite that is easy to edit:

This costume is composed of:

• some simple shapes with real outlines (even the most complex ones don't have too much points)
  
• a few simple shapes without outlines
  
• a few lines
  

A lot of people made creative edits to the cat, changing its expression, pose, and body - and a lot of them look great. On the other hand, have you seen any walk cycles of the Neigh Pony that look good? I haven't.
In my opinion, it's not just because the Scratch Cat is more popular - it's also because it is easy to edit. I believe that making Neigh Pony (and other sprites that are hard to edit) easier to edit would spawn more projects that use it and look nice.
Doing so would make projects that use sprites from the sprite library quicker to make (and also possibly nicer).

However, I think that we should not simplify some sprites: the ones that ipzy made. Yes, they are hard to edit, but they cannot be simplified without losing their quality.

I think you have an interesting point here. But, what exactly are you suggesting to make editing easier? That is, what would you suggest specifically that should be done? Are you just looking for a way to decrease the number of points/nodes that you need to work with?

Za-Chary wrote:

I think you have an interesting point here. But, what exactly are you suggesting to make editing easier? That is, what would you suggest specifically that should be done? Are you just looking for a way to decrease the number of points/nodes that you need to work with?

Yes, I am.
I am also suggesting to use shapes with real outlines, instead of two separate shapes (with one of them functioning like an outline).
Here is the difference:


I moved only one node.
Shape + outline: both the shape and its outline changed.
Two shapes: only the coloured shape changed, because the “outline” wasn't real.
Note: the coloured shape is not selected in the first image.

Bump.

I've posted about Scratch Cat being easy to edit and other sprites not being so on another topic, so I completely agree with you. It's frustrating to work with the current sprite shapes.

Also, maybe there could be more freedom when making your own sprites by being able to add dots at specific points of your sprite and add everything that Scratch Cat has?

Nambaseking01 wrote:

I've posted about Scratch Cat being easy to edit and other sprites not being so on another topic, so I completely agree with you. It's frustrating to work with the current sprite shapes.

1. Can you please link to it?
   
2. Oh! Are you an Editor, too?
   

Also, maybe there could be more freedom when making your own sprites by being able to add dots at specific points of your sprite and add everything that Scratch Cat has?

I don't understand you. Can you please explain it differently?

WindOctahedron wrote:

1. Can you please link to it?
   
2. Oh! Are you an Editor, too?
   
3. I don't understand you. Can you please explain it differently?
   

1) Unfortunately, I can't find the link again!
2) I'm not an Editor, because I don't recreate sprites that much.
3) So, like, Scratch Cat has features like dots with which you can extend the sprite and stuff, right? You can also remove body parts from it. You should be able to somehow use these features when you make your own sprites (e.g. making body parts of an OC)

Update: I added that it would be better if we don't simplify ipzy's sprites.

Only problem I see is that if you re-size shapes with outlines in the editor, the outline size doesn't change. If that can be fixed, support (bc easier to edit sprites will lead to more creative projects).

Lol, just use it for TurboWarp for it to be easier.

Buhron8312480 wrote:

Lol, just use it for TurboWarp for it to be easier.

As far as I'm aware, TurboWarp doesn't make the sprites simpler. What do you mean that it makes it easier to edit?

_meow_ Hi!

imthebest111122 wrote:

_meow_ Hi!

(how in the actual world do new forumers keep finding these old topics?)
Hey there! Welcome to the forums. This is the suggestion forum, each topic here is for specifically talking about the suggestion itself.

idk man

Support. This is a general win-win for everyone involved. Newcomers and advanced people alike.