Hello!
To emulate the Saber VFX from After Effects in Spine, you can follow a few different approaches to achieve a similar look while keeping file sizes manageable:
Frame-by-Frame Animation: You can create the VFX frame by frame in a tool like Photoshop or After Effects, then import the sequence into Spine. This method is straightforward but can result in larger file sizes. You can optimize this by reducing the number of frames or using compression techniques. Here's a guide on how to import frame-by-frame animations into Spine: Quick method of creating animation from frame images.
Using Bones and Meshes: Instead of importing a full frame-by-frame sequence, you can create a more dynamic and flexible effect using bones and meshes in Spine. This involves creating a few key images and then manipulating them using Spine's tools to create the animation. This method can significantly reduce file sizes and allow for more dynamic effects.
Blending Modes and Effects: Spine supports various blending modes that can help you achieve glowing and other visual effects similar to Saber. You can experiment with different blending modes and opacity settings to get the desired look. Check out the Spineboy project in your Spine installation folder for examples of blending modes in action.
Particle Effects: If you need more complex effects, consider using particle systems. While Spine doesn't have a built-in particle system, you can create particle effects in an external tool and then import them as frame-by-frame animations or use runtime particle effects that are attached to bones in Spine.
Export and Import Techniques: If you still prefer to use After Effects for creating the VFX, you can optimize the export settings to reduce file sizes. Exporting as a PNG sequence with fewer frames or using video formats with better compression can help. Here's a guide on exporting from Spine: Export - Spine User Guide.
By combining these techniques, you can create visually appealing VFX in Spine that are similar to Saber while keeping file sizes manageable.
