Sprite

A sprite (Japanese term: 立ち絵, Hepburn: tachie, lit. "standing image") is an image used to represent a character. An NPC with one line will probably only have a single static sprite/image (if they’re visually represented at all). Characters with more screen time generally have multiple expressions, poses, and/or outfits and would thus have multiple sprites. Some sprites may be animated (commonly with programs like Live2D or EmoFuri), but most games currently have static sprites.

Sometimes, sprites are considered a subtype of actors, a term which includes any individual on-screen visual representation of a character in a visual novel. Actors which may or may not be considered sprites include 3D character models, rigs such as those made in Live2D, and pre-rendered videos of characters.

Compositing

An example of sprite compositing. (1) The parts of the sprite, with separate hair overlay, eyebrows, eyes, blush, and mouth. (2) The parts are layered on top of each other with visible bounding boxes. (3) The final sprite

Sprite compositing is when multiple images are compiled together in "real time" to be viewed as a single entity. Generally used to layer different elements of a sprite together to allow for smaller overall game file size rather than having a completely different pre-compiled image for each different pose and expression combination.

In Ren'Py, sprite compositing is referred to as Layered Images or Live Composite. (Layered Images being the most recent tool, allowing for more complex sprites.)

Sprite composition example

Overlay	blush	red	sweat
Brow	flat	arch	furrow	raise	oneraise	pinch	question
Eye	open	wide	lid	tight	closedown	closeup	wink
Talk	neutral	smile	happy	surprised	sad	serious	tease	annoyed
Mouth	neutral	smile	happy	surprised	sad	serious	tease	annoyed
Look	front	away	up	down

(Credits to ingthing, who posted this chart used in Of Sense and Soul. Here's another example as well.)

Facial Expression Component Starter

Components	Neutral Mouth	Frown	Pout	Open	Smile	Half-Smile
Neutral Eyes	Default	Frown	Pout	Talking	Smile	Smirk
Narrow Eyes	Annoyed	Angry	Concerned	Screaming	Smug	Snarky
Wide Eyes	Surprised	Shocked	Oops	Shocked	Delighted	Grin
Shrunken Eyes	Uneasy	Dismayed	Defeated	Terrified	Hysterical	Manic
Furrowed (brows) Eyes	Confused	Worried	Reluctant	Baffled	Fake	Grimace
Averted(Neutral) Eyes	Nervous	Remorseful	Guilty	Flustered	Coy	Proud
Averted(Downcast) Eyes	Thoughtful	Mourning	Sad	Bothered	Subdued	Cynical
Averted(Narrow) Eyes	Reflective	Coping	Stubborn	Annoyed	Confident	Jerk
Closed(Neutral) Eyes	Inhaling	Pensive	Questioning	Boasting	Peaceful	Relaxed
Closed(Tight) Eyes	Unwilling	Disgusted	Disgust	Agonized	Suppressing	Contained

Pro tips for utilizing this table:

• Evolution of Expression: Consider the evolution of a face during a particular line or across multiple lines. A simple but effective evolution of someone's face might involve switching from B9 to B8, to F8 to F2 in either a series of lines or on the same line. This can give your characters a lot of life and make them feel engaging by averting or redirecting their eyes back to the player.
• Experiment!: When you're creating your expressions for the first time, be sure to either keep the eyes, mouth, nose and eyebrows on seperate layers(or seperate them out later) and combine pieces from other expressions to create a lot of different variations. This can give you insight into expressions you may not have considered, and will give you a lot of variations of similar expressions to use during conversations!
• Use Signature Expressions!: Along with the diverse set of expressions, make sure your characters have at least one or two very unique expressions, ideally not made with the components. This can be used as a special treat for your readers, or to punctuate an important moment like a reveal or character development!

(This table was created by Stella/Remort Studios as part of their project When the Shutter Stops. View the original version.)

Sprite Sheets

A sprite sheet is an image with a sprite’s expressions/poses, usually used with a game or animation engine for composite/multi state sprite optimization. Packing sprites into a single sheet optimizes file load and render time in many cases where it's needed.

In visual novel terms, it may also refer to an aesthetic layout of a character sprite’s images that shows the different poses/expressions of a character, usually for inclusion in the game’s art book or for promotional purposes (ex: crowdfunding graphics).

3D Sprites

A 3D sprite is an asset rendered from a three-dimensional model and used as a two-dimensional image. 3D sprites can be created using dedicated software such as Blender or Maya. The advantage of using 3D models is that they can be easily modified and reused for multiple purposes, while maintaining a consistent visual style. They can also be used to represent objects like items, vehicles, and other background elements.

Animation

Animations in visual novels can be created by sequencing sprites or frames together. Animations can range from simple character movements, like blinking or head tilts, to complex actions and sequences. The quality of the animation will depend on the skill of the animator and the time dedicated to the project.

The frame rate, also known as frames per second (FPS), refers to the number of individual images displayed per second. A higher frame rate will usually result in smoother animations, while a lower frame rate can make the animation appear jarring or stuttery. The optimal frame rate will depend on the target platform and the demands of the animation. For reference, cartoons and anime are typically drawn at 8 to 24 FPS, and most cinematic films are displayed at 24 FPS.

The timing of an animation refers to how fast or slow things move in the animation. Good timing can make an animation feel more fluid and natural, while poor timing can make it appear stiff or unnatural. An example of bad timing would be an animation where a character's arm moves in an uneven or jerky manner.

Tips for creating good animation:

• Plan out your animation ahead of time, either through storyboards or rough sketches. This will help you visualize the final product and make it easier to plan out the timing and poses.
• Study examples of good animation, both in visual novels and in other media. This will help you develop an eye for good timing and poses.

Tools for creating animation

There are many tools available for creating animations for visual novels. Some popular options include:

• Clip Studio Paint - A digital painting and animation software that is designed for use on both Windows and Mac. It has a comprehensive set of tools for creating animations, including frame-by-frame animation, bone rigging, and lip-syncing.
• DragonBones - An open source 2D skeletal animation toolkit for Flash, HTML5, and Unity games that is popular in the indie game development community
• Spine - A 2D skeletal animation tool designed specifically for creating animations for video games. It has a comprehensive set of features, including bone rigging, IK (inverse kinematics) splines, and blend spaces.
• Live2D - An animation tool that can be used to create smooth, high-quality animations.