(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); So, Since I can't connect to the NGU minecraft server, (end of stream) I figured I'd make my first helpful thread on how I easily make my pixel art. I'm making this so I can see more artwork on the NGU server, because it's always awesome seeing what people make.



Let's get started, shall we?

[multipage=I. - What you will need]

Here's a list of the things you will need to make your life easier when it comes to making pixel art:

Adobe Photoshop CS5

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You must login or register to view this content. is a link to the portable version of CS5. This is nice, because it's smaller and easier than getting the full program, and it still gets the job done. (Premium only)

Zombe's Fly Mod - Optional
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You must login or register to view this content. is a link to Zombe's Fly Mod thread. The reason I am suggesting this, is because it makes it 100 times easier to make your artwork. At the moment, it is only for 1.6.4, However, I will update this thread when he releases it for 1.6.5, So keep checking back.


These are about the only things you will need, other than a brain, to follow simple instructions.

[multipage=II - Finding your Artwork]

So, the first step is to think of what you want to create. For this tutorial, I will show you how to find an ideal image to use as a reference when you make your art.

Say for example, we want to make Charmander. So, the first step is to go to You must login or register to view this content. and search for "charmander"

Now, a lot of big images of charmander will pop up. And they are way too big to use as a reference picture, because if you chose to use the first one, you'd have to make it 275 x 300 pixels. That would mean you'd have to do 275 blocks in length, and 300 blocks up in width, which means in order to draw that picture, you'd have to make the total sculpture out of 82,500 blocks. Who wants to do that?

So what you want to do, is click on "advanced search" link under the search button.

Now, change your Image search size to "Icon" as shown below:

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Then, search for the image with those settings.

As you can see, we have a lot of smaller, more manageable pictures to pick from:

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I am going to choose the first picture because it looks nice, and it's 64x64 pixels.

[multipage=III - Creating the Reference Picture]

Now go ahead and open this bastard up in photoshop:

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Now we are going to go ahead and zoom in on him. Now, think about if you want to make the artwork in color, or keep it black and white. Keep in mind of the different blocks available in minecraft. I doubt there would be enough orange colored blocks in minecraft to recreate this in color. So I'm going to do it in black and white, and reduce the amount of colors in the image, so I have to use less blocks.

So to make him black and white, go to Image > Adjustments > De-saturate
Alternatively, Shift+CTRL+U

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So, now as you can see, he is in black and white. Now we are going to make the photo out of a small amount of different colored pixels, so you use less materials in minecraft. This process is called "Posterization"

To do this, go to: Image > Adjustments > Posterize

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Now, this will bring up the Posterize Dialog box. As you move the slider, you will notice the more that you posterize it, the less colors it uses in the image, as shown below:

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Now when you're making a piece of artwork in Minecraft, generally you would want to use the least amount of different blocks as possible, while still making sure you can tell what the image is.

I am going to choose "3" as my level, because it looks good, and it is only using 3 colors. Which means in the server, I'll only have to use the white wool, dark grey wool, and black wool. Which is easier to manage.

Now since we've posterized the image, Let's go ahead and take out the white background that is not included in charmander. This way, we can see what blocks should be air when we are making this in minecraft.

Go ahead and take your Magic Wand Tool, and Put the tolerance on '0', and check "contiguous" if it isn't already, like so:
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Now what we are trying to do is get rid of the background white, so let's go ahead and click on one part of the background with our magic wand. Now, in order to select all of the background, hold your SHIFT key, and then additionally select the rest of the background.

Now, Hit the delete key. this will delete your white background, and make it a whiteish-gray checkered fill. This means that part is transparent.

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Now, you're almost ready to make it, there's just one last step...

[multipage=IV - Creating Your Grid]

To make this 1,000 times easier, we are going to set up your grid. This will make it so each pixel, or minecraft block, is clearly defined.

Go ahead and go to: Edit > Preferences > Guides, Grids, and Slices...

This will pull up your guides dialog box.

Go ahead and change it to the preferences shown below:

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You can make the grid colors anything you'd like, I chose the Cyan as default, and because it stands out the best in my opinion.

Now go ahead and save that.

Now go to: View > Show > Grid
Alternatively, CTRL+'

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Now, as you can see, it is displaying your grid and defining each pixel, showing where you should place each minecraft block.

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You have now set up your reference picture!

Now, if it is too much for your computer to handle having PS and MC open at once, then you can Printscreen your image on photoshop, because if you save it, it won't save the guides. So printscreen it, and open that up in photoshop and crop out everything but the image with guides. Then save that as a .JPEG or something, and open that up in Windows picture and fax viewer, and open that alongside minecraft. It will take less out of your computer than keeping photoshop open.

Now, let's get on to making it in Minecraft '

[multipage=V - Creating Your Art In Minecraft]

Now, It's time to create your artwork in minecraft

You can make it on either SSP or SMP. I would recommend the You must login or register to view this content., because for one, we get to see your artwork, and you can spawn an infinite amount of whatever material you need!



Assuming you're going to make this in the NGU server, this is how you spawn the colored wool specific to that server.

Go ahead and hit the letter T to pull up your text box.

Now type this command to spawn the wool, then hit enter:

Here is the format for wool:

    /i 35 <#> <Your Name> <Superscript #>

What each of those means:

/i means item. This is the essentials plugin command to give a person an item.

35 is the item number for standard wool.

# is the amount of the item it will give you. Each stackable item is maxed out at 64. However, if you typed 128 there, it will give you two stacks of 64 wool of your choice.
Your Name Is obviously your minecraft name :derp:

Superscript # is the digit for your desired colored wool. A chart showing each wool's superscript can be found in the spoiler:

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Here is an example code:

    /i 35 64 boner69 11

Say you are boner69. This means that you will get 64 pieces of dark blue wool.

Again, if this is confusing to you, reference the chart.



Now, Pull up your minecraft box and photoshop side by side so you can reference the image in photoshop, like so:

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I'm in SSP in that picture, because the Damn server is down :FU: Enzo

But now you are ready to make your art!

Remember, The fly mod will greatly help you out in art making. I know that Zombe has not updated it for 1.6.5 just yet, but be on the lookout for that. When he does, I will update this thread.

[multipage=Example Artwork]

Here is a Pikachu I made on the NGU server using this same method:

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Artwork:

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[multipage=VI - Credits]

Thank you for reading my tutorial, this took me about 2.5 hours to make. I made this because I know a lot of you don't know how to make pixel art effectively, or not even at all. I am going to try and make the charmander on the server whenever it comes back up.

Because the server was down and now that it's up, Enzo Disabled flying.