# 🎨 Awwnimate HD — Sprite Creation Guide

> Create professional 64×64 HD pets using AI image generators, one animation strip at a time.

---

## 📐 The `.awwnimate` Folder Format

A character is a folder named `YourPet.awwnimate` containing **16 PNG images**. Each image is a **horizontal strip** of exactly **4 frames** (256×64 pixels) showing one animation sequence.

```
nano_banana.awwnimate/
├── North.png          ← 4 frames walking up (back of head)
├── North-East.png     ← 4 frames walking diagonally up-right
├── East.png           ← 4 frames walking right (side profile)
├── South-East.png     ← 4 frames walking diagonally down-right
├── South.png          ← 4 frames walking down (facing camera)
├── South-West.png     ← 4 frames walking diagonally down-left
├── West.png           ← 4 frames walking left (side profile)
├── North-West.png     ← 4 frames walking diagonally up-left
├── Idle.png           ← 4 frames of idle/breathing animation
├── Alert.png          ← 2 frames (surprised/noticing movement)
├── Tired.png          ← 2 frames (yawning before sleep)
├── Sleep.png          ← 4 frames of sleeping/breathing cycle
├── Scratch-Self.png   ← 4 frames scratching itself
├── Scratch-Wall-N.png ← 4 frames scratching the top wall
├── Scratch-Wall-S.png ← 4 frames scratching the bottom wall
├── Scratch-Wall-E.png ← 4 frames scratching the right wall
└── Scratch-Wall-W.png ← 4 frames scratching the left wall
```

> **Naming is flexible**: You can use spaces, underscores, or dashes. `North East.png`, `north_east.png`, and `North-East.png` all work.

---

## 🤖 AI Prompts for Each Sequence

Below are copy-paste-ready prompts for Midjourney, DALL-E 3, or Stable Diffusion. Replace `[CHARACTER]` with your character description.

### Walking Sequences

Use this template for all 8 walking directions:

> **Prompt Template:**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 4 frames arranged horizontally in a single row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` walking `[DIRECTION]`. Each frame shows a subtle walking animation cycle (legs/arms alternate). Flat solid white background, no shadows, clean pixel lines, 16-bit retro aesthetic. Image should be exactly 4 squares in a row. --ar 4:1

**Direction descriptions to substitute:**
| File Name | Direction Text |
|---|---|
| `North.png` | "walking away from the camera, viewing the back of the character" |
| `North-East.png` | "walking diagonally toward the upper right, three-quarter back view" |
| `East.png` | "walking to the right, side profile view" |
| `South-East.png` | "walking diagonally toward the lower right, three-quarter front view" |
| `South.png` | "walking toward the camera, facing the viewer directly" |
| `South-West.png` | "walking diagonally toward the lower left, three-quarter front view" |
| `West.png` | "walking to the left, side profile view" |
| `North-West.png` | "walking diagonally toward the upper left, three-quarter back view" |

### State Sequences

> **Idle Prompt:**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 4 frames in a horizontal row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` standing still in an idle breathing animation. Subtle up-down bob between frames. Flat solid white background, clean pixel lines, 16-bit retro. --ar 4:1

> **Alert Prompt:**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 2 frames in a horizontal row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` looking surprised and alert. Ears/eyes perk up between frames. Flat solid white background, 16-bit retro. --ar 2:1

> **Tired Prompt:**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 2 frames in a horizontal row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` yawning and looking sleepy. Flat solid white background, 16-bit retro. --ar 2:1

> **Sleep Prompt:**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 4 frames in a horizontal row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` curled up sleeping with a gentle breathing cycle. A tiny "Zzz" floats above. Flat solid white background, 16-bit retro. --ar 4:1

### Scratching Sequences

> **Scratch Self Prompt:**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 4 frames in a horizontal row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` scratching behind its ear with a hind leg. Flat solid white background, 16-bit retro. --ar 4:1

> **Scratch Wall Prompt (adjust direction):**
> Pixel art sprite strip, 4 frames in a horizontal row, showing a cute chibi `[CHARACTER]` facing `[DIRECTION]` and scratching a wall with its paw. Flat solid white background, 16-bit retro. --ar 4:1

---

## ✂️ Post-Processing Tips

1. **Remove white backgrounds**: Use [Photopea](https://www.photopea.com/) (free) → Magic Wand tool → Tolerance ~20 → Delete background → Export as PNG.
2. **Resize to 256×64**: If the AI outputs a different resolution, resize the strip to exactly **256×64 pixels** (4 frames of 64×64). Use "Nearest Neighbor" interpolation to keep the pixel-art crisp.
3. **Consistency**: Generate ALL sequences in the same AI session if possible. Use the same character description to keep the style consistent.

---

## 🎮 Using the Studio Compiler

1. Open [Awwnimate Studio](../studio.html).
2. You have two workflows:
   - **Per-slot upload**: Click any sequence slot card and upload that specific strip.
   - **Bulk folder upload**: Click "📂 Bulk Upload .awwnimate Folder" and select your entire character folder. All matching filenames will auto-populate.
3. Watch the **progress bar** fill up as you load sequences.
4. Inspect the compiled 512×512 canvas on the right — click any cell to see what it maps to.
5. When satisfied, click **⬇ Download .PNG** to export your finished sprite sheet!