Preparing sprite animation

Learn to slice multiple sprites for sequential playback.

Sprite animation setup and Slice

In 2D games, character animations are typically authored using Spritesheet files packing multiple frames into one image. After setting Sprite Mode to Multiple, the Slice operation is executed in the Sprite Editor.

// Loading all sliced sub-frames from a spritesheet
Sprite[] walkFrames = Resources.LoadAll<Sprite>("HeroWalkSheet");

Slicing divides the graphic into pieces based on uniform grids or pixel boundaries.

Frames and Animation Flow

Sliced frames appear as child sub-assets under the main asset in the Project window. Cycling through these frames sequentially produces classic frame-by-frame 2D animation.

// Displaying the initial animation frame
Sprite currentFrame = walkFrames[0];
sr.sprite = currentFrame;

Keeping sprite pivot points consistent across frames (e.g. at character feet) prevents jitter.

Exercise Print animation frame count

Assign 8 to totalFrames and "Run" to animName. Print Animation: Run | Frames: 8 to the console.

Show example solution

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int totalFrames = 8;
        string animName = "Run";
        Console.WriteLine("Animation: " + animName + " | Frames: " + totalFrames);
    }
}

Test yourself

What is the operation of dividing a single Spritesheet into individual animation frames called?
- Extrude
- Rigging
- Slice
- Baking
Show answer

Slice — Slice divides frames within a spritesheet into separate individual sprite assets.

Load multiple sprite frames

Sprite[] frames = Resources.____<Sprite>("KnightRun");

Show answer

Sprite[] frames = Resources.LoadAll<Sprite>("KnightRun");

Animation setup terms

Spritesheet

Sheet packing multiple animation frames
Sprite Editor

Tool to slice graphics and set pivots
Slice

Dividing an image into separate frames
Frame

Single visual moment in an animation

Next lesson: Summary - 2D Sprite

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