What is Sub-Pixel Animation?

[@nickgeek]

Half pixels do exist, it's the "X" button on mobile game ads

[@FBI-bx8bg]

What? "X" button on mobile ads exist?!?!?!

[@theRPGmaster]

@@FBI-bx8bg If the legends are true...

[@Mushe94]

Back button on Android, best thing ever specially to skip ads early

[@nissimtrifonov5314]

@@Mushe94 unless the developers were so nice to make clicking the back button quit the whole game at once. and then make the game load really slowly so you'd learn your lesson!!!

[@ansimuz]

Indeed!

[@pikupixel]

well, thank you for introducing Abigail to me. I didn't realize Metal Slug was in the business of animation cute pixel anime girls but now my eyes are opened

[@MrQw37]

Moral of the story?: Metal Slug is the best.

[@handlessuck589]

Damn straight. IREM/Nazca are the best. R TYPE, Cosmic Cop and In the Hunt all look GORGEOUS.

[@growkit]

@@handlessuck589 r type no,in the hunt yes (irem)

[@kdev3235]

And with this like 700 complete

[@feinky8489]

*cough* 1, 2 and 3

[@dandanthedandan7558]

I've been seeing ads for the new mobile game of metal slug

[@yueshijoorya601]

How did the creators of Metal Slug have this decades ago? They were true masters of the pixel art.

[@விஷ்ணு_கார்த்திக்]

Ah, so THIS is the secret to Metal Slug looking so good. This one simple trick.

[@llDbGll]

And also incredibly talented pixel artists whose passion and effort must have played a big part in delivering an amazing look to this game. This trick cemented everything into looking extremely good though.

[@d-o-n-u-t]

PIXEL ARTISTS HATE HIM! Learn his one simple secret to make Metal Slug look good.

[@okbutwhatif9905]

metal slug has a great charac design aswell to support this

[@sanstheelumbu]

Thalaivare

[@ElekiSerket]

That's a big secret to the smoothness of the animations, but not all there is to them. The designs are very stylized, and the animation choices have tons of personality (for example, how the Metal Slug tank moves as if it was a living being, especially when reacting to being hit). Add to that a big framecount beyond subpixel animation, and you get some of the best sprites to have graced the earth so far. Should mention the sprite artists for MS did all these manually with no modern shortcuts, and they delivered the entire first game in a matter of a few months since development began. Following games also didn't take too long to release either, counting from the point where they started working on each. That's peak talent right there, it'd take me that same amount of time to stop being lazy and do a 5 frame animation at best lmao

[@Akko1]

Thanks KZbin for recommending me this, I used to be a pixel artist for Ragnarok Online, the best way I used to make this kind of smooth animation was by literally cutting and moving parts of the characters limbs into a nex pixel areas while I recolor the empty pixels that would leave behind

[@ansimuz]

In the End subpixel animations is just an illusion

[@jerrygreenest]

Thanks for the hint btw!

[@robertoaguiar6230]

Thanks for the tip!

[@espelhodasconstelacoes]

What a wonderful work yours is! God bless ya and Jesus loves ya friend!

[@alyasVictorio]

Me too

[@SpartRyan]

The song is Dirtmouth by Amie Waters. It's a remix of a song of the same name by Christopher Larkin, made for the game Hollow Knight.

[@jpdude98]

I knew it was from Hollow Knight! Thanks for shouting out the creator.

[@inkh-su]

thank you, i wish @Luis Zuno had added this to the description

[@BarfCreations]

@@jpdude98 congrats on getting featured in a book thing

[@jpdude98]

@@BarfCreations Hey what's up dude!! That's so cool running into you here! xD Haha thanks man

[@minnarew]

ah, so _that_ is why it sounded familiar!

[@lucasduque8289]

I always loved how detailed the animation looked in metal slug. As a kid, I loved just looking at it for minutes straight, and the animation made the game stick to my mind like all my favourite Pixar films.

[@vikrambhavsar3558]

wow you're underrated. The quality of your video is amazing plus the music itself adds a nice touch. This was my first video of yours but I'm subscribed.

[@ansimuz]

Thanks :D

[@akunekochan]

Me too And agree Nice touch

[@Call-me-Al]

Same, I am glad KZbin recommended this to me

[@bigmanmajima3182]

I think l it's the music from Hollow Knight. Also, sorry for the late reply

[@xthomas7621]

not just the music but the sound effect for the talking, too.

[@janjanjul]

This is an amazing instructional video: -short: exactly as long as it needs to be, not a second longer -precise: no extraneous information -accurate: to the point and correct (as far as I can tell at least) -informative: hey, I learned something about a topic that I've only vaguely heard about -clarifying examples: the examples fit well and properly show what is talked about -structured: the build up of information flows nicely and effortlessly, facilitating learning -stylish: the style of presentation fits perfectly with the subject matter. 10/10

[@stef__an]

"There can not be half pixels!" Toby Fox, making Undertale: I'm going to pretend I didn't see that.

[@MookalH]

Results for pixel art on google:

[@davisdf3064]

General rule: do not rotate pixel art Toby fox: Freak this shit, im bouta rotate pixel art

[@dorcasmutton6335]

If you wanna see worse than THAT, look no farther than Scott Cawthon's pixel art.

[@steirqwe7956]

Well the thing is, his pixelart is subpar to put it gently.

[@JohnathanJWells]

Because Undertale is not a pixel-based game. It's a flash game that uses pixelart

[@joetraincool]

After having it explained, this seems so obvious. I hate that I never noticed.

[@inendlesspain4724]

I had heard of NES games which did this, but for some stupid reason up until watching this video I thought they didn't use or even polish this technique pass the NES era.

[@Napert]

A pixel is a pixel, you can't say it's only a half!

[@Viewsk8]

Well TJ “””Henry””” Yoshi...

[@ZuoKalp]

First off, I need to talk about the true masterpiece that is Metal Slug.

[@hainsay]

QPU: A quarter pixel unit, from having subpixel animation at half intensity in both directions.

[@kimgkomg]

@@Viewsk8 well TJ "."

[@GuisoBoy]

Someone already say it :'c

[@buildinasentry1046]

Honestly metal slug sprites are some of the best I’ve ever seen to this day, always loved them since the first time I played one of em on an arcade machine way back

[@lurkathon]

In Donkey Kong Country, all the characters are actually pre-rendered 3D models ported to the SNES's sprite capabilities.

[@Dentedheaddipshit]

Yeah but they weren't just downscaled and put in the raw, they had to be edited and cleaned up to add any details lost when downscaled

[@AdmiralMaur]

"There can not be half pixels!" I'll raise you one half A press

[@urielseptim910]

OK, TJ "Henry" Yoshi.

[@TheJorgito51]

to answer that we need to talk about parallel universes

[@CarbonRollerCaco]

CRTs and analog buttons would like words with you two.

[@nikodem123asdf]

This is exactly the trick they used to make the animations in Harry Potter RPG's on Gameboy Color have so much life in them. I knew that the sprites themselves barely moved but I noticed that the pixels inside them changed very frequently which made a convicing illusion of a more complex movement. I'd totally recommend checking those games out (particularly the second one cause it's better) they look quite timeless and are really easy to pick up and they also take about 5-7 hours to beat.

[@jr01theweeb]

End card examples: Metal Slug Allan infestation Metal Slug Metal Slug Castlevania Donkey Kong Metal Slug

[@MouseGoat]

I think you missed Metal Slug.

[@C0rruptedSpY]

metal slug is the most impressive example tbh

[@rcookie5128]

I'm not sure, but I think there's a pattern here. ;)

[@videopsybeam7220]

I see nothing wrong here.

[@luminocuratoria1335]

I think the last one is Metal Slug Attack

[@JordanICM]

1:38 in addition to his belly shifting, I also analyzed that he's going between half and three-quarter chubs in the crotch area. I'll make an additional note of that in my documentation.

[@It-Will-All-Be-Okay-I-Promise]

Can’t really blame him though, if I was In a world with an artstyle like metal slugs, I’d be rock hard 24/7.

[@elivcdxv1852]

@@It-Will-All-Be-Okay-I-Promise hell yeah brother No, seriously, i can barely see without my glasses so if i could just see the world in MS style I'd be fine with it until a semi slammed into me while i was inspecting pixels on the highway.

[@thereptile9467]

@@elivcdxv1852 So... How's the isekai goin?

[@elivcdxv1852]

@@thereptile9467 made it back a while ago, got the worst ending

[@thereptile9467]

@@elivcdxv1852 Damn, sorry to hear that my dude. Lemme guess, you forgot to raise enough bond points rite? Happens to the best of us.

[@Montaintoprose]

I’m absolutely in love with the way this video was edited. It feels like I’m playing a video game and it’s so engaging!!

[@desu38]

0:16 Well, TJ "Luis" Yoshi, actually there's a thing called "subpixel rendering" wich achieves just that.

[@weakspirit_]

true, but i don't think that's what you want to do with pixel art.

[@blendzen9623]

“A pixel is just a pixel you can’t say it’s only half.” - TJ “””Luis””” Yoshi

[@Copperhell144]

@@blendzen9623 Someone can tie this to the classic "There's no such thing as a half A button press" joke, but that someone is not me.

[@Chris-mc2dt]

sozcan what the hell are you talking about he’s directly referencing the video that spawned the half a press meme

[@Copperhell144]

@@Chris-mc2dt Ah. It woooshed over me

[@wafflebits]

3:07 is the most important part of this video

[@hoangjo]

Metal Slug is a freakin MASTERPIECE when it comes to Pixel Art. MISSION START!!! Edit: 500 thumbs up? Maybe I should advertise one of my works here! :D

[@Chan0art]

It looks amazing and is incredibly fun

[@vbgvbg1133]

It’s so smooth

[@DigGil3]

Hopefully their artists went on to be successful in life. They've created true art.

[@dantekiwi7926]

HEBIN MACHINGEN

[@mcdanzy8379]

Fio is my childhood waifu

[@JustZal]

so thats how they do it damn my eyes have been fooling me all this time-

[@namonaite]

so simple yet so incredebly hard to recreate.

[@NavrajThapa2002]

I used to think they draw each frame with each intricate detail from scratch. Still hard though.

[@midgetman4206]

So I guess that they succeeded on their objective

[@see-sharp]

song name plz

[@NavrajThapa2002]

@@see-sharp it's in the video description

[@sophia.almeida.r]

"half pixels dont exist" Well, we need to talk about parallel universes

[@mparagames]

TJ “””””Henry””””” Yoshi was proud of this video, though

[@XDinky]

Lmao

[@burgeryoufoundbehindthegrill]

1:39 "pay attention to the character's wiggling junk"

[@Nugcon]

bruh

[@nordinreecendo512]

I don't know why, but I feel like having the text box instead of voiced narration is part of what kept my interest. The music was great and really fit the mood of the video very well! Subscribed!

[@squiddler7731]

Wait hold up, is that a hollow knight remix playing in the background?

[@thatgirlinamask8699]

Correct, Dirtmouth i believe, dont know the arrangement though

[@battleon81]

So THAT'S why it sounded so familiar!

[@marcosp.3714]

I'm 90% sure that it is a Dirtmouth remix

[@thatgirlinamask8699]

@Marcos P. Thats what I meant

[@It-Will-All-Be-Okay-I-Promise]

The remix is by Amie Waters. You’re welcome

[@CocoHutzpah]

I see Metal Slug in the thumbnail, I click and watch the video. This time, I even learned something that I hadn't really considered, but enlightens quite a lot. Thanks!

[@Onimirare]

1:28 that's such a cute animation

[@fishactivation5087]

"cute"

[@BingBangPoe]

Absurdly well made video. Managed to explain everything without a single spoken word and in less than 5 minutes. Kudos!

[@delayed_control]

There's another technique that only works on a genuinely low resolution screen with subpixels (as in, individual color sources) placed side by side (there are other patterns): since the subpixel pattern repeats horizontally (red>green>blue>red>green>blue) you actually get 3x the horizontal resolution when it comes to placing the pixel, since the eye can't distinguish the order. E.g. if the order is RGB and you place a cyan pixel on the left and red pixel on the right, you end up with a white pixel that is 1/3 pixel shifted to the right. Obviously this isn't perfect due to sceen door effect but it's something to potentially consider.

[@Glisean]

This is like the most beautiful art tutorial I've ever seen.

[@ansimuz]

Thanks for the words.

[@Michafrar]

This is a really good video version of a sub-pixeling explanation! The best video around. You've really picked out some great examples, especially that belly button one from Metal Slug! :D Thank you for doing a shout out to my book too!

[@teakettle7021]

I cant praise the structure of this video enough. So efficiently explains everything it intended to, while also maintaining a unique aesthetic charm. Just earned a subscriber, my friend.

[@michaelanderson3958]

I've been wondering how to transition from my 'key frames' for years now and came across this video randomly. Absolute game changer - thank you.

[@roderik1990]

Huh, and here I was thinking subpixel animation used the red green and blue subpixels seperately to effectively have 3 pixels per pixel. (incidentally that's why you get the weird colour borders when scaling text) Personally this seems more related to antialiasing.

[@thekorv95]

Nice format man, love some calm content.

[@multistuff9831]

Melty blood current core actress again also does this very well, it’s amazing how some of the idle animations for characters manage to move so smoothly

[@whynotanyting]

I've always heard the term, I've seen the examples, but never quite understood it. Especially after seeing some legitimately sub-pixel images (using the R G and B LEDs as their own pixels).

[@SamCyanide]

What a fantastic video. I love the style and the music and the sounds and everything. I've really been into high-quality pixel art for a long time and there were so many great examples in this video.

[@HybridAngelZero]

This is a technique I've always admired in pixel art, but never really knew how it was done. That's awesome!

[@vanbeekster]

Man I've been struggling with the concept of subpixel animation for a while now and this video really helped me open my eyes. Thanks so much for making & uploading it!

[@MisterZimbabwe]

I've been a hobbyist pixel animator for a year now and I've ALWAYS thought my animation loops looked choppy compared to the like of Metal Slugs masterpieces, and you just showed me why! SUB-SCRIBED!

[@cinfdef]

1:48 that close up is quite uncomfortable

[@renzobelon609]

I always loved the Samus idle animation, it made the character feel so real to me!

[@mcxopjesh]

Imo, this is the real secret to amazing pixelart!

[@archivushka]

Or just low resoluted imadges of 3d graphics if we take donkey Kong as example

[@ansimuz]

It is!

[@Trashloot]

This video is amazing. The presentation, the content. Its just flawless. I need to see more of your stuff.

[@flophawk]

"a pixel is a pixel, you cant say its only a half" well tj """""henry""""" yoshi

[@johantitulaer1052]

You have a great sense of style. Your whole video was very entertaining to watch. Also the music and sound effects fit really well with the colour pallet.

[@yengajaf]

YOOOO, all of a sudden around 2:14 I realised that this is hollow knight theme song. I don't know why it took so long for me to recognise

[@thesquishedelf1301]

This is a key part of why I admire good pixel artists so much. Really, it's about color theory, understanding shading, and how to trick the eye. All of which comes about as naturally to me as snow to Dubai, so it's like sorcery :D

[@gasiedu]

feel like I stumbled on gold here, straight sub!

[@Minitomate]

This video by itself is pure pixel art! Awesome explanation!

[@ansimuz]

:D Thank You!

[@cosmicmuse2195]

This is probably one of the best ways to show how to do this.

[@legitweaboo3357]

Such a unique way to teach, you made it seem like an actual game tutorial. Can’t not sub to this gem of a channel

[@alfredosilvaneto]

The most subtle and interesting for me is Samus. I remember that when I played it as a kid I thought it was quite interesting, but didn't understand why.

[@quinnman89]

This chill environment is exactly how I want to learn EVERYTHING. amazing video.

[@undeadmercenary3196]

That thumbnail got me here, now waiting for it.

[@mauroelawesome6247]

It's Abigail from metal slug

[@undeadmercenary3196]

@@mauroelawesome6247 okay thanks

[@ol_fortune9474]

She's from Metal slug Attack, a mobile game if you wanna check it out

[@undeadmercenary3196]

@@ol_fortune9474 i know

[@leostrahl6323]

Wow! That is a masterpiece of a tutorial. I feel sorta like I'm in an Anime and this is part of my hidden technique training montage. With the music right on point and everything. Thank you very much Sensei!

[@gamesthatiplay9083]

Not very common outside the 90s. Like no college teaches it anymore.

[@leonchi7796]

Pixelart college?

[@gamesthatiplay9083]

@@leonchi7796 Most people called it art school. They had all sorts of techniques explained in various classes.

[@ShinyQuagsire]

@Stale Bagelz it's a shame bc you can do a lot of neat pixel effects with modern shaders while still enforcing ie 256 colors only, tiling, sprites etc. Love it when games blend modern graphics and actual pixel-limited stuff.

[@aolson1111]

@Stale Bagelz Who actually gives a a shit if it can actually run on a computer from the '90's?

[@insanelyheinousbeefer]

@@aolson1111 no one really, but it tends to indicate that the look of the pixels are being manipulated by complicated shader algorithms versus painstaking manual manipulation of sprites, which has become a lost artform as a result. not that it really makes it worse, but it's kind of sad for an entire artistic skill defined by its limitations be erased by technology.

[@romankovbasniuk1826]

As a person who loves animation, but has no experience In it, this was a super cool learning experience!

[@electroflame6188]

I was expecting something about subpixel rendering lol

[@Joogoo96]

I feel like I've wandered across forbidden knowledge with the whole vibe your video has given me. Consider me subscribed!

[@wait-wut3615]

Wow, I never realised that something's are within your grasp after all. It's just to take one step at a time to get to learn and understand it. Thank you

[@5mwa]

I like how the video content was being delivered through a dialogue box of an animated character. It makes me want to read all the content.

[@zaizailiang223]

Very nice！This is a important knowledge point for pixelart！ Thank you！

[@juanrodriguez9971]

I already knew this "concept" but I didn't knew it had a name. Is really useful, I hope a lot of people is now making great use of this video.

[@Mtaalas]

These techniques are all over 80's and 90's anime. Anime and hand animation in general has utilized these techniques a lot and it found it's way to the pixel animation.

[@just_peace]

"A motion blur but with pixels" is such a great way to put it!

[@patchmoulton5438]

I feel like good pixel art is slowly becoming a lost art. Very few AAA developers will bother with anything that isn't bleeding edge graphics and indies seem to be stuck in the 8- bit era. I really want to see more 16 and 32- bit games

[@khosmo7097]

This is why Metal Slug looks very appealing and satisfying to just even stare at. Love the explanation btw

[@janorre]

This is very informative! I think this was used in Suikoden 2. I always wonder how they made the animation of characters in low health looked so life like XD

[@BigEvy]

I always knew that moving a whole pixel unit made animations chunky , this is how it’s really done . So cool !

[@danielmx2408]

this looks really difficult

[@conspiracypanda1200]

I didn't entirely understand until the words "smear frame" appeared. It's smear frames, but only using shadows and lighting _limited to the subject's body._ That's really clever!

[@xeli3046]

Dirtmouth sounds great just as great as this video!

[@Koziolrh]

Those metal slug sprites and animations are just

[@Xenotester]

3:52 - what a part/level/moment of metal slug is ?

[@-.face.-ig9md]

Who is she???? 3:52

[@alyasVictorio]

She is Abigail of the new 2024 tower-defense spinoff Metal Slug Attack Reloaded (the same rerelease that's way better than its original on mobile)

[@Xenotester]

​@@alyasVictorio thank you a lot

[@alyasVictorio]

@Xenotester You welcome; and I think yt removed this reply for no reason tho- (idk why)

[@troomatot402]

​@@alyasVictorio Wrong, she's originally from Metal Slug Attack (2016) but since the game closed, she's now only available on Metal Slug Attack Reloaded (2024)

[@Kuschel_K]

Ah Metal Slug... has such beatiful animations

[@RealShaun]

1:06 what game is that?

[@LonginusFX]

That's "Contra 4" for Nintendo DS.

[@RealShaun]

LonginusFX thanks very much

[@eckitronix]

You're quite helpful! I wondered how this worked, knowing mostly the basis of the colors alternating patterns, but I wasn't sure how it was done, and you've quite swiftly made it clear that this is a good way to do pixel art, which, for me is incredibly useful! I like these and I think I'll sub just to see what else you make.and probably enjoy them too

[@chaleeman]

No, in the case of Metal Slug (and most of detailed "dot" art of the time like SNK and Capcom) it's not meant to be "a technique to fool the eye". It's actually the animation style from the staff that used to work at Irem and went to work at Nazca. As masterfully as Metal Slug shows, is not simply "value shifting", but the way light works as perceived by human sight and the contrast between light tones, mid tones and dark tones create depth perception and are actually used to create micro movements at the pixel level. At 1:40 you can see the way the enemy breaths air, his belly shape expands using lighter tones, even a white dot to show that the skin is stretched. And then shrinking down his belly to dark tones. But in every frame your eyes sees that it's a human stomach and can see him breathing and opening his mouth. It's not a simple trick. Every frame in that animation looks perfect, because is pure animation... no shortcuts. Also Donkey Kong is prerendered... Any 'subpixels' seen are due to interpolation when downscaling.

[@TJItcap]

You must be a blast to hang out with

[@bitcrusher3845]

Fantastic. No unnecessary padding, straight to the point and very informative. I do however feel like a video of such quality should have a voice over. Either way great video.

[@Qvmmy]

thats a great video as usual.

[@RexcorJ]

It's not animation, but using similar color tone changes along the edges of characters and lettering makes the designs pop out more, so sub-pixel animation/design can serve two purposes. I love it so much.

[@GhengisJohn]

The music sounds pretty appropriately like something from the Dungeon of the Endless soundtrack.

[@andresaraya7346]

It's a remix from Hollow Knight if you wanna know the source

[@GhengisJohn]

@@andresaraya7346 Ty spooky.

[@katie-ampersand]

I've never seen you before but I saw your intro and went "oo that's a nice intro" and I can't stop replaying it I love it

[@katie-ampersand]

And now I finished it and I feel like these are, as of now, the most well-spent minutes of my life. This was really nice to watch, and very useful to someone who's making a pixel art game! Definitely gonna check more of your channel

[@ansimuz]

@@katie-ampersand I'm glad it helped!

[@RobinCould]

This video gives me a sort of weird melancholic nostalgia, as I sit here, watching some of my old favorite games from my childhood pop up on screen of examples of good sub-pixel animation work.

[@YTSirBlack]

3:51 who is she?

[@momentum.g]

idk

[@skinnybuggo]

@@momentum.g abigail from metal slug attack

[@Sauvenil]

Excellent video, basically showing what 2D pixel artists have to do to hand-render 3D characters.

[@thealientree3821]

A pixel is a pixel. You can’t say there’s only half.

[@emanuelcalvo8529]

Definitively, Metal Slug rocked with this technique. Long live those artists! Good content!

[@anhtphung4666]

No one: Only one: Who is she? (The girl on thumbnail)

[@skin_lizard]

Abigail from Metal Slug Attack.

[@parinamais]

This was very helpful. I've been struggling with rough pixel animation for a while and had no idea how to fix it. Now I do. Thanks!!

[@TutsByKai]

Love the way you explained this, my man. Very well done

[@mastafran]

I'm learning pixel art right now and I was struggling to figure how to make subtler character idle animations! The idea of shifting colors to push that illusion blows my head wide open! Pixel art is definitely a lost art!

[@GiuHP]

I just want to say, I love this video. First, it's because it made me love pixel animation. Then, it's juste the ambiance. Anybofy could do a video short, with face cam and talking about what you said in your video. Bit you created an atmosphere. It wasn't juste a pixelart lesson, it was a real short experience. I guess it's like sub-pixel animation: you're video is subtle. A simple music but with sounds effects, written texts but with a videogame style, etc... Well, i'l kinda messy expressing myself but I just wanted to say that i love this video, I watched like five times and i'm definitely gonna use what I learned in my future projects. Good work, thanks ✨

[@ilhanthediamondcrafter9767]

KZbin has recommended this video and I'm impressed. What an awesome knowledge. I'm very grateful for this. Thank you

[@zamiyonn1964]

Next to interesting and quick-to-the-point informations, I really liked the general setup of the video. I guess the text boxes fit, since Pixel Art naturally has a retro feeling - so your character avoiding voice-over totally fits the theme ^^