PIF: Character Customization Guide

<a id="Top"></a> ![PIFLogo](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/H1znUrR3kx.png) ###### PIF Logo by ==Doctor Miawoo== Originally written by ==**Gummy.Frog**==, Character Customization Manager + Sprite Manager 🤍 # PIF: Character Customization Guide ## Introduction Welcome to the Character Customization guide! This article is intended to assist users in creating custom clothing, hats, and hairstyles that everyone can use in Pokémon Infinite Fusion and its sister game, Pokémon Infinite Fusion: Hoenn. If you're not already part of the official Discord server, you can join [**HERE**](https://discord.gg/tmDkVGVXRA). If you're looking for general information on character customization, like where to find certain items, this guide isn't for you! Click [**HERE**](https://hackmd.io/@PIF-Staff/CCFAQ) for a general FAQ. #### Guide Contents: - [General Information](#Info) - [What is character customization?](#WhatIsIt) - [Rules and Guidelines](#GeneralRules) - [Regarding References](#References) - [Other Disclaimers](#Disclaimers) - [Getting Started](#Start) - [What You Need](#Materials) - [Tips and Tricks](#Tips) - [Free Resources](#Resources) - [Creating Customization Items](#Creating) - [Creating Accessories](#Accessories) - [Creating Hairstyles](#Hair) - [Creating Outfits](#Outfits) - [Submitting an Item](#Submitting) - [Before You Post](#BYP) - [Links to Forms](#Forms) - [Approval Process](#Approval) <a id="Info"></a> ## General Information <a id="WhatIsIt"></a> ### What is Character Customization? Character customization is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin! PIF and PIF: Hoenn allow the player to change what clothing, hairstyles, and hats your trainer wears. Along with the **dye kit** that allows you to change the color of your hat or clothes, it's a great way to be expressive and "evolve" alongside your Pokémon throughout your playthroughs. It's also fun for completionists, who may feel inclined to obtain every customization item in the game. You can even put hats on your Pokémon! Also, any person who submits 5 unique outfits is eligible for a vanity role in the Discord, the **Fashion Designer** role! <a id="GeneralRules"></a> ### General Rules and Guidelines for Character Customization There are some rules that we have to follow to ensure that the feature remains fun and enjoyable for everyone. **Rules** All items must follow the same rules as Pokémon sprites. This includes everything in the spriting guidelines, such as: - All content must appear in the same style as the 5th generation Pokémon games (Black and White 1 and 2). - All content must meet PIF quality standards, so no JPEGs or low quality sprites. - All content must be SFW; no blood or gore, references to NSFW material, or skin showing that would be covered by a swimsuit: ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rku2XRRTZe.png) All PIF trainers are children, so please make sure your clothes are appropriate. - No Geneva Convention violations (red crosses on medical items). - No offensive content towards any cultures, persons, or groups. No political content either. - If you’re wanting to make cultural attire, please make sure that it is not stereotypical or offensive to be added to a game. - Native American headdresses are not allowed under any circumstances. - Most non-Pokémon reference content will be rejected. Please read [Regarding References](#References) for more information. **Who can submit CC items** Currently, anyone can submit items for character customization. That includes people who do NOT have the spriter role. However, we recommend reading over the PIF Spriting Guidelines, as it has a lot of information for new spriters. Collaborations are allowed. For example, if A did a trainer sprite and B did the overworlds, or maybe A designed the outfit and B sprited it, or something else - those are all collabs. Just make sure that everyone gets credit when you submit the final item. You are also allowed to use free resources (ex. Game Freak, Showdown, Spriter's Resource) as long as they are credited. **What we accept** At the moment, we accept three types of character customization: **Accessories for your head**, (hats, glasses, hair clips, etc.) **hairstyles**, and **clothing**. **Question Form** If you want to make something (or want something to be added) and you're not sure if it's either in the game already, or if it would be breaking one of the rules, you're welcome to fill out this form [**HERE**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMEm8Zo5xCMYkSKyYRPCcj1yQu1Sfb9sIvsWszGh0x-fEOUg/viewform). Someone will get back to you ASAP. <a id="References"></a> ### Regarding References At the moment, Frogman and co. wish for all customization items in PIF to remain rooted in the world of Pokémon. Unfortunately, this means that the following items will be denied: - Cosplays of characters from anime, manga, movies, TV, or outside video games - Hairstyles and accessories from anime, manga, outside video games, movies, TV, etc. - Certain types of content inspired by the above. There are exceptions to this rule, specifically when the franchise has crossed over with Pokémon in some capacity. **Content from Pokémon spinoffs is fine.** For clarity, here is a list of types of content **that would be accepted**: - The character/item in question has appeared in officially-licensed Pokémon media (ex. Hatsune Miku Project Voltage) - The character/item in question has a Pokémon-specific design that has appeared in officially-licensed Pokémon media (like on merchandise sold by TPC/Nintendo) - The character/item is from another Pokémon game, but not a mainline one (Trozei, Ranger, Legends, etc. are all acceptable). - The character/item is someone or something that appeared in the Pokémon franchise after Generation 7. - The character/item is from the Pokémon anime, manga, or TCG. - The item is loosely based on a character/item from another franchise, but is not actually that character/item. - The item is based off of a real-world fashion trend or item, and does not contain any branding or references to any other media. If the item has real-world branding on it, it must be an item that the Pokémon Company has endorsed, like a collaborative t-shirt or something. And here is what would **not be accepted:** - The character/item has been drawn by an official Pokémon artist (Ken Sugimori, take, James Turner, etc.) with (or without) a Pokémon. This still does not count if the official Pokémon social media accounts have reposted the artwork. It has to be more than just artwork. - The character/item is from media unrelated to Pokémon, but has appeared alongside Pokémon (ex. Super Smash Bros - No Link, Mario, Samus, etc.) in something not developed or made by The Pokémon Company. There may be exceptions to this rule, depending on what you are trying to submit. - The character/item is in a game that is published by Game Freak or the Pokémon Company (Drill Dozer, Town, Pulseman), but has not actually appeared in officially licensed Pokémon material. - The item is based off of a meme unrelated to the franchise, or contains references to a real-world brand. (No Goku Drip, please). - The item is based heavily off of a character/item/brand, and is very clearly recognizable as that (i.e. Goku’s hair) You can also reference this image for even more clarity. ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJygICCT-e.png) If you still have questions, please fill out the optional form [**HERE**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMEm8Zo5xCMYkSKyYRPCcj1yQu1Sfb9sIvsWszGh0x-fEOUg/viewform) or message Payapon, Frogzilla, or Gummy.Frog directly. <a id="Disclaimers"></a> ### Other Disclaimers By creating and submitting CC items, you agree that: Due to the nature of custom outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, **sprite managers have the right to edit your sprites if deemed necessary**. This could mean fixing bugs, recoloring them, or something else. If we do need to edit your sprite, we’ll ask if you want to make the changes yourself first, and then go from there. Just like a sprite error report for a Pokémon sprite. Additionally, if you choose to have your work removed from Pokémon Infinite Fusion and become a “withdrawn artist”, please know that **character customization removal requests will be denied**. This is due to the significance of these contributions, and how they’re implemented into the game itself. They will only be removed if absolutely necessary, such as in cases of art theft or rule violations. <a id="Start"></a> ## Getting Started <a id="Materials"></a> ### What do I need to make CC items? Just like making sprites, you will need an art program capable of creating pixel art. Think MS Paint, Paint(dot)Net, Aseprite, etc. Additionally, you'll need the templates provided [**HERE**](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nNs5VqMXs0zDB-Gz5UdlwMIgB2yANWNy), which will give you the exact blank base files needed to make CC items as well as the hairstyle colors needed to create hairstyles. You can use either the everything template or the individually split ones. Only one trainer sprite is allowed per outfit, so masculine and feminine ones will need to be submitted separately, if created. If you're using the "Everything" template, be sure you crop and submit the sprites as separate files. Lastly, be sure you're taking advantage of the testing tool we have [**HERE**](https://outfits-tool.infinitefusion.net/) to see how your outfit will appear in-game. <a id="Tips"></a> ### Tips and Tricks Customization has a layering system! The way things layer is like this: Accessory on top -> Hairstyle next -> Outfit on the bottom layer. Keep this in mind when creating items, as it may be helpful to figure out how something will look in different combinations. If you’re having trouble compressing your outfit into tiny overworld sprites, it’s OK to omit details. Sometimes, less is more. Here’s an adaptation of Paxton’s outfit from Z-A for example. See how the little details were compressed? ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryzmTCCabl.png) Lastly, use references! Whether it's a 3d model or an image, references can help a lot when spriting anything. Just be sure to get permission before submitting something based off of fan art or something not from GF/the real world. <a id="Resources"></a> ### Free Resources If you're stuck on ideas, why not adapt some from free resources? These are databases that contain either Game Freak sprites, or free-to-use fan-made sprites. If you're not sure if a resource is considered "free-to-use", please contact a sprite manager or Gummy.Frog. **If you use these, please make sure the free resource creator is credited, even if it is just Game Freak.** [**Any Official Pokémon Game**](https://www.spriters-resource.com/browse/games/?name=pokemon) [**The Spriter's Resource**](https://www.spriters-resource.com/) [**The PMD Sprite Repository**](https://sprites.pmdcollab.org/) [**Pokémon Showdown**](https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/trainers/) [**Pokégine**](https://pokengine.org/search?query=permission%3Ayes&tab=trainers&overworlds&page=1) <a id="Creating"></a> ## Creating Character Customization Items Now that you've hopefully read and accept what's above, let's get started with making your items! **Each item should have an item ID** in their filename, and have both **a corresponding overworld and trainer sprite**. For example, a hat would have: **hat_sprout** for the overworld sprite, and **hat_trainer_sprout** for the trainer sprite (visible in battle and on trainer cards). Additionally, each sprite will need to be upscaled to a certain resolution: - Trainer sprite: sprite at 80x80, upscale to 160x160 - Hair and clothing overworld sprites: sprite at 160x160, upscale to 320x320 - Hat overworld sprites: sprite at 40x160, upscale to 80x320. Lastly, there are a few things CC items are **not permitted to do**. These include: - Changing the color of the trainer's eyes - Changing the expression of the trainer's face - Altering the anatomy of the base sprite in any way - Altering or removing the Pokéball the trainer is holding in any way - Altering the trainer's skintone in any way - Altering the bike, fishing rod, or surfing Pokémon in any way <a id="Accessories"></a> ### Creating Accessories Accessories **can be any of the following:** - Anything worn on the head. Glasses, hair clips, hats, etc. - Cultural items (hijabs, turbans, etc.) are also acceptable, so long as they are not offensive. Native American headdresses are not permitted. - Makeup that does not change the eye color, skintone, or expression of the trainer. However, they **cannot be**: - Hair or hair extensions - Accessories that do not sit on the face, neck, or head area (capes, cloaks, jewelry) - Anything that alters the main base trainer in any way (contact lenses, face expressions, skintone-colored ears, custom Pokéballs/handheld items, skintones, etc.) To create an accessory, you just need to use the hat template (hat_#). All cardinal directions must be on the sprite, even if they are unused. They also require a matching trainer sprite (template_trainer_#). Unlike hair or clothing, **accessories are static and cannot be animated**. ![hat_#](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/H1UEukyCWg.png) ![template_trainer_#](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/S1uq_Jk0Zl.png) You will also need to give them specific filenames. A finished hat with the item ID “example” would have files like this: **hat_example.png** (overworld) and **hat_trainer_example.png** (trainer sprite). All hats must be sprited at 40x160 resolution, and then upscaled to 80x320. Corresponding trainer sprites are sprited at 80x80, then upscaled to 160x160. <a id="Hair"></a> ### Creating Hairstyles A special thanks to the ==**Pokémon Infinite Fusion Wiki**== for some of the images used in this section. Hairstyles use the walking trainer template, clothes_walk_#. Additionally, they are also animated - longer hairstyles should be animated, but shorter hairstyles don't need to be. All directions should have corresponding sprites. Hairstyles can cover the face, go over the arms, whatever you need to do to achieve a certain look - just make sure that it looks okay on other animation types like dive and run. Also make sure you have a corresponding trainer sprite using the trainer template! ![clothes_walk_#](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/S1Jx5y1Abg.png) ![template_trainer_#](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BkFQq11Rbx.png) Each hairstyle comes in 4 colors. Blonde (_1), light brown (_2), dark brown (_3), and black (_4). Hairstyles can be dyed freely in-game, so there’s no need to worry about other colors like red, blue, white, etc. ![hair_colors](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/H1W4F1JR-l.png) We do allow for special hair colors, known as **_5** files, in certain circumstances. This is usually saved for reference items that belong to iconic characters in the franchise, or hairstyles intended to look a specific way: ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ByLut1y0-l.png) Two-toned hair is also accepted in certain circumstances. You can use white or a lighter color to achieve this: ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HyTFK11RZl.png) Hairstyles are also allowed to have little accessories like hair ties to hold ponytails up, but try to keep these to a minimum. If it’s something anyone can use for any hairstyle, consider submitting it as a hat item instead. Accessories should be kept white or grey to avoid being recolored with the rest of the hair. ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r1bnYyJR-e.png) Finished files should be called **hair_X_Y. X is your item ID, and Y is what color the hair is**. The same goes for the trainer sprites, but these are called **hair_trainer_X_Y**. A hairstyle in the color dark brown, with the item ID example, would have files named this: **hair_example_3** (overworld), **hair_trainer_example_3** (trainer) Remember to make sure your hairstyle has a corresponding trainer sprite for each color. All overworld hairstyles must be sprited at 160x160, then upscaled to 320x320. All trainer sprites must be sprited at 80x80, then upscaled to 160x160. <a id="Outfits"></a> ### Creating Outfits Outfits are the best way to get creative with character customization. You can make just about any outfit you want, as long as it follows the guidelines. As stated in the rules, **outfits MUST cover a good portion of the trainer’s skin**. Do not show anything that would normally be covered up by underwear. For masculine outfits, you are allowed to make them topless **(please do not add abs or nipples)**, but for feminine items, follow the bikini rule. Remember, the absolute oldest a trainer can be in PIF is 17! ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rku2XRRTZe.png) **Additionally, custom outfits CANNOT**: - Alter the base body in any way. This includes, but is not limited to: added muscle definition, adjustments to the trainer’s body or expression, altering the Pokéball/handheld item, changing the eye color, custom skin colors. - Alter the color of the fishing rod used in the fishing template, or the color of the bike in the bike template. - Have a custom surfing item like a surfboard PIF has two trainer sprite templates, a masculine/gender neutral one and a feminine one. **Do not edit the anatomy beyond what is provided here:** ![template_trainer_#](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HkTenkk0-l.png) ![template_trainer_F_#](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/H16e3kJR-x.png) Please keep in mind that outfits can only use one trainer sprite, so masculine and feminine versions may need to be submitted separately. **Outfits are not required to be gender neutral**, and can be strictly masculine/feminine, even if **outfits are not gender-locked**. Outfits should be fully animated and use each of the templates (except hat_#): **Clothes_walk_x Clothes_run_x Clothes_dive_x Clothes_fish_x Clothes_surf_x Clothes_bike_x Clothes_trainer_x** You can use the “everything” template for ease of access, or download the individual ones from the drive. Just make sure to submit each template individually. All files for an outfit with the item ID “example” would be as follows: **clothes_trainer_example** (trainer sprite), **clothes_walk_example** (overworld walk), **clothes_run_example** (overworld run), **clothes_bike_example** (overworld bike), **clothes_dive_example** (overworld dive), **clothes_surf_example** (overworld surf) and **clothes_fish_example** (overworld fish). Each clothing file should be sprited at 160x160 resolution, then upscaled to 320x320. The trainer sprite should be sprited at 80x80, then upscaled 2x to 160x160. Anyone who submits 5 unique outfits (gender variants or recolors are not considered unique) is also eligible for the **"Fashion Designer"** vanity role. Do you have what it takes? <a id="Submitting"></a> ## Sharing Your Style Are you ready to upload? <a id="BYP"></a> ### Before You Post **STOP! Have you tested your items yet?** If not, be sure you do [**HERE**](https://outfits-tool.infinitefusion.net/)! You'll be able to see how the sprite looks in motion. It can test up to one outfit, accessory, and hairstyle at a time. Before you submit, follow this checklist: - Does your item have all the appropriate frames animated? How about all 4 hairstyle colors if applicable? - Did you export each file at 2x scale? - Did you make sure that the item has a corresponding trainer sprite? - Did you remove the template/base? Keep in mind that they shouldn’t be there, just the item itself! - Are the files named appropriately? - Did you test the item and look for any animation errors? Here is an example file from a hairstyle that is ready to post: ![hair_3_boxbraidedbuns](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r1lGR1JAbl.png) There is no underlying base, and the files are named appropriately (this one is hair_3_boxbraidedbuns). The other colors (2, 3, and 4) are also ready to submit, and the trainer sprites all have corresponding ones too, named appropriately. It’s also the right filesize - it was 160x160, upscaled to 320x320. <a id="Forms"></a> ### Form Links To submit your item(s), you will need to fill out the corresponding form(s). [**SUBMIT HATS or ACCESSORIES**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUWfpnJwzxYUGaFtELEV_HFym3ZI1SLIGtWUBN43dyENWrSw/viewform) [**SUBMIT HAIRSTYLES**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf09sGi-WaVet_CRUZNtAsL3uim_i5kFC8j4_zRT7xl7QlY7g/viewform) [**SUBMIT OUTFITS**](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAcXGjOlKJvmJcdpmMULp_UXMbykB2l0yRGF-B07sdgmsryQ/viewform) Remember to credit any additional contributors if you collaborated, and to credit your free resource(s) if you used any. We also allow you to add additional information if you have an idea for how the item is obtained (quest reward, a specific shop, etc) <a id="Approval"></a> ### Approval Process and Implementation Once your sprite(s) have been submitted, it may take a while for them to be approved. If you're curious about the status of your item, you can ask Gummy.Frog, Payapon, or Frogzilla at any time. Just be patient and wait at least a week or two before reaching out. As for when the items are added into the game, **new character customization items are available whenever the game updates**. Not in the monthly packs, but an actual game version update. So, you'll need to sit tight and wait until then, but it will definitely be worth it! We hope this guide has been helpful to you. If you still have questions about CC, whether it's making it or using it, feel free to read our FAQ [**HERE**](https://hackmd.io/@PIF-Staff/CCFAQ) or reach out to Gummy.Frog or Payapon in the Discord. Happy spriting! ![195b](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/H15egbyR-g.png)