PixelLab Character Animator Skill

This skill adds animations to existing PixelLab characters through an interactive selection process, offering categorized animation templates and custom action support.

Workflow Context

Field	Value
Assigned Agent	asset-artist
Sprint Phase	Phase B (Implementation)
Directory Scope	`assets/sprites/`
Workflow Reference	See `docs/agent-team-workflow.md`

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when the user:

•Asks to "animate a character" or "add animations"
•Says "I need walk/run/attack animations"
•Wants to add movement or combat animations to sprites
•Says "make the character move/fight/idle"
•Needs to complete a character with animation sets

Available Animation Templates

Movement Animations

Template ID	Description	Best For
`breathing-idle`	Subtle breathing idle	All characters - essential
`walk`	Standard walk cycle	All characters - essential
`walking-4-frames`	Simple 4-frame walk	Smaller sprites, NPCs
`walking-6-frames`	Medium 6-frame walk	Standard units
`walking-8-frames`	Smooth 8-frame walk	Player, companions
`running-4-frames`	Quick 4-frame run	Chase sequences
`running-6-frames`	Medium run cycle	Standard combat
`running-8-frames`	Smooth run cycle	Player character
`sad-walk`	Dejected walking	Defeated/sad NPCs
`scary-walk`	Menacing walk	Enemies, undead
`crouched-walking`	Stealthy crouch walk	Rogues, scouts

Combat - Basic Attacks

Template ID	Description	Best For
`fight-stance-idle-8-frames`	Combat ready stance	All combat units
`cross-punch`	Punching attack	Unarmed, brawlers
`lead-jab`	Quick jab	Fast attackers
`surprise-uppercut`	Uppercut attack	Heavy hitters
`high-kick`	High kick attack	Martial artists
`roundhouse-kick`	Spinning kick	Martial artists
`leg-sweep`	Sweeping leg attack	Knockdown moves
`hurricane-kick`	Spinning multi-kick	Special attacks

Combat - Advanced

Template ID	Description	Best For
`fireball`	Casting fireball	Mages, spellcasters
`flying-kick`	Leaping kick	Agile fighters
`taking-punch`	Getting hit reaction	All combat units
`falling-back-death`	Death fall backward	All units - essential
`getting-up`	Rising from ground	After knockdown

Movement - Special

Template ID	Description	Best For
`jumping-1`	Simple jump	Basic platforming
`jumping-2`	Alternative jump	Variety
`two-footed-jump`	Standing jump	Combat jumps
`running-jump`	Running leap	Athletic moves
`running-slide`	Sliding dodge	Rogues, agile units
`backflip`	Backflip dodge	Acrobatic units
`front-flip`	Forward flip	Acrobatic attacks
`crouching`	Crouch/duck	Taking cover
`falling-back-death`	Falling backward	Death animation

Utility Actions

Template ID	Description	Best For
`drinking`	Drinking potion	Healing animation
`picking-up`	Picking up item	Looting, collecting
`throw-object`	Throwing motion	Grenades, items
`pushing`	Pushing object	Environmental
`pull-heavy-object`	Pulling heavy item	Environmental

Animation Sets by Character Role

Essential Set (All Characters)

code

1. breathing-idle - Rest state
2. walking-8-frames - Movement
3. falling-back-death - Death

Combat Unit Set (Soldiers, Enemies)

code

Essential Set +
4. fight-stance-idle-8-frames - Combat idle
5. running-6-frames - Chase/retreat
6. taking-punch - Hit reaction
7. [Attack animation based on weapon]

Player/Companion Set (Full)

code

Combat Unit Set +
8. drinking - Potion use
9. picking-up - Looting
10. getting-up - Recovery

Weapon-Specific Attack Recommendations

Weapon Type	Recommended Animations
Sword/Melee	`cross-punch`, `lead-jab` (slash motions)
Two-handed	`surprise-uppercut` (overhead swing)
Unarmed	`cross-punch`, `high-kick`, `roundhouse-kick`
Staff/Polearm	`leg-sweep` (wide swing)
Magic/Casting	`fireball`, `throw-object`
Bow/Ranged	`throw-object` (drawing motion)
Shield	`pushing` (shield bash)

Interactive Workflow

Phase 1: Select Character

Start by listing available characters:

code

I'll help you add animations to a character! First, let me show your available characters:

[Call mcp__pixellab__list_characters]

Which character would you like to animate?
- Select by name or ID
- Or describe which one (e.g., "the knight", "the mage I just created")

Wait for user response.

Phase 2: Check Current Animations

After character selection:

code

[Call mcp__pixellab__get_character with character_id]

**Character: [Name]**
- Size: [X]px
- Directions: [4/8]
- Current Animations: [List any existing]

What animations does this character need?

Phase 3: Select Animation Type

Present categorized options:

code

What type of animation would you like to add?

**Movement:**
- [ ] Idle (breathing-idle) - Essential resting animation
- [ ] Walk (walking-8-frames) - Standard movement
- [ ] Run (running-6-frames) - Fast movement
- [ ] Special movement (crouch, jump, slide)

**Combat:**
- [ ] Combat idle (fight-stance-idle-8-frames)
- [ ] Attack animation (various styles)
- [ ] Hit reaction (taking-punch)
- [ ] Death (falling-back-death)

**Utility:**
- [ ] Drinking (potion use)
- [ ] Picking up (looting)
- [ ] Throwing (grenades, items)

**Quick Sets:**
- [ ] Essential Set (idle, walk, death)
- [ ] Combat Set (essential + combat idle, attack, hit reaction)
- [ ] Full Set (all standard animations)

**Custom:**
- [ ] Custom action (describe your own)

Wait for user response.

Phase 4: Custom Action Description (If Selected)

If user wants custom action:

code

Describe the action you want the character to perform.

**Tips for good action descriptions:**
- Focus on the MOVEMENT, not the result
- Keep it simple and clear
- Describe the pose/motion

**Good examples:**
- "walking stealthily with weapon drawn"
- "casting spell with hands raised"
- "swinging sword in horizontal slash"
- "blocking with shield raised"
- "kneeling in prayer"

**Avoid:**
- Environmental details ("walking through forest")
- Complex sequences ("attack then dodge then attack")
- Emotions without movement ("feeling angry")

Your action description:

Phase 5: Confirm and Generate

Present summary before generating:

code

**Animation Summary:**
- Character: [Name] ([ID])
- Animation: [Template or Custom]
- Action Description: [If custom]
- Directions: [Will match character's directions]

**Estimated Time:** 2-4 minutes per animation

Ready to generate? [Yes / Modify / Add More]

Phase 6: Execute Generation

Call the PixelLab API:

gdscript

# Use mcp__pixellab__animate_character with:
{
  "character_id": "[character UUID]",
  "template_animation_id": "[template ID]",
  "animation_name": "[optional custom name]",
  "action_description": "[optional - for custom actions]"
}

After submission:

code

Animation queued!

**Job Details:**
- Character: [Name]
- Animation: [Type]
- Status: Processing
- Estimated Time: 2-4 minutes

The animation will automatically generate for all [4/8] directions.

**Next Steps:**
1. Queue more animations while this processes
2. Check status with get_character
3. Download when complete

Batch Animation Workflow

For adding multiple animations efficiently:

code

Would you like to add a standard animation set?

**Essential Set (3 animations):**
1. breathing-idle
2. walking-8-frames
3. falling-back-death

**Combat Set (6 animations):**
Essential Set +
4. fight-stance-idle-8-frames
5. cross-punch (or weapon-appropriate attack)
6. taking-punch

**Full Set (10 animations):**
Combat Set +
7. running-6-frames
8. drinking
9. picking-up
10. getting-up

Select a set and I'll queue all animations at once.

Queue multiple animations in sequence:

code

Queuing Essential Set for [Character Name]:

1/3 - breathing-idle... ✓ Queued
2/3 - walking-8-frames... ✓ Queued
3/3 - falling-back-death... ✓ Queued

All animations queued! Total processing time: ~6-12 minutes

I'll check on them periodically, or ask me "check animations for [character]"

Custom Action Guidelines

Writing Effective Action Descriptions

DO:

•Focus on body movement and pose
•Describe the motion arc
•Keep under 50 words
•Match the character's role

DON'T:

•Include environmental context
•Describe emotions without motion
•Request multiple sequential actions
•Use overly complex descriptions

Examples by Character Type

Fighter/Knight:

code

"swinging sword in wide horizontal arc"
"raising shield in defensive block"
"thrusting spear forward"
"heavy overhead axe chop"

Rogue/Assassin:

code

"quick dagger stab"
"throwing knife with side-arm motion"
"rolling dodge to the side"
"sneaking with low crouch"

Mage/Cleric:

code

"raising staff with magical energy gathering"
"hands together in prayer pose"
"throwing magical projectile"
"reading from spell book"

Archer/Ranger:

code

"drawing bow and releasing arrow"
"notching arrow while moving"
"kneeling to aim"
"rolling while drawing bow"

Animation Naming Conventions

Recommended naming for Godot import:

code

[character]_[action]_[direction]

Examples:
- ironmark_fighter_idle_s
- ironmark_fighter_walk_sw
- ironmark_fighter_attack_e
- ironmark_fighter_death_n

Animation names in PixelLab:

•Use descriptive names: "Combat Idle", "Sword Slash", "Hit Reaction"
•These help identify animations in the character list
•Names can include the action type for clarity

Post-Animation Workflow

After animations complete:

•

Check Status:

code

mcp__pixellab__get_character(character_id, include_preview=true)

•
Review Animations:
- •Verify all directions animated correctly
- •Check timing feels right
- •Confirm style matches base character
•
Download Assets:
- •Individual frame PNGs
- •Sprite sheets per animation
- •Combined character ZIP

•

Import to Godot:

code

assets/sprites/characters/[faction]/[character]/
├── idle/
│   ├── idle_s.png
│   ├── idle_sw.png
│   └── ...
├── walk/
├── attack/
└── death/

•
Setup AnimationPlayer:
- •Create animation tracks for each action
- •Set appropriate frame rates (8-12 FPS typical)
- •Configure looping (idle/walk loop, attack/death don't)

Quick Animation (Skip Interactive)

If user specifies animation directly:

code

User: "Add a walk animation to the Ironmark fighter"

Skip to Phase 6 with:
- character_id: [find by name match]
- template_animation_id: "walking-8-frames"
- animation_name: "Walk Cycle"

code

User: "Give the knight a sword slash attack"

Skip to Phase 6 with:
- character_id: [find by name match]
- template_animation_id: "cross-punch"
- action_description: "swinging sword in horizontal slash"
- animation_name: "Sword Slash"

Error Handling

If animation fails:

•Verify character exists and is complete
•Check template_animation_id is valid
•Simplify custom action description
•Ensure character has directional views generated

If style doesn't match:

•Animation inherits character's style settings
•If mismatch, may need to regenerate character
•Try different template that better fits character type

Example Invocations

User: "Add animations to my knight character" User: "I need walk and attack animations for the new enemy" User: "Animate the Ironmark fighter with combat moves" User: "Give all my characters idle animations" User: "Add a custom spell casting animation to the mage"

Reference: Animation Processing Times

Animation Type	Approximate Time
Simple (idle, death)	2-3 minutes
Movement (walk, run)	2-4 minutes
Combat (attacks)	3-4 minutes
Complex (multi-frame)	3-5 minutes
Full Set (10 anims)	20-40 minutes

Times are per animation, processing is sequential per character.