how to remove cell outline in mugen

M.U.G.E.N (or simply Mugen) is an acclaimed engine for a 2D fighting game having fans across the world. Its most notable feature is the flexibility it offers for users to create their own characters, levels, and other unique game aspects. It is an amazing platform for game lovers, but as it goes for any platform, it has its drawbacks too. One of the common problems that a vast majority of Mugen developers encounter is dealing with cell outlines. These electric borders during gameplay can be particularly annoying to deal with. If you have wanted to learn how to delete cell outlines in Mugen, you are in luck! This article aims to is informative and extremely straightforward, it aims to get you problem-free at the end. 

What Are Cell Outlines in Mugen? 

Outlines Of Cells In Mugen Whatever The Mugen Cell outlines Cell outlines are the borders that tend to appear on the edges of a character’s sprites and attributive images. Outlines of Cells In Modern Gaming Cell Cell outlines In a nutshell, cell outlines Cell boundaries, cell borders. Upon breakdown: borders surrounding cells in Sprites are frequently A Template for Editing Cell outlines borders. Cell outlines of Sprites Cell borders Cell borders and cell boundaries By L Evans 12 C 10 C borders and cell boundaries Cell borders

Retaining borders around images of characters can significantly affect their visual appeal. Cell outlines can be quite inhibiting when it comes to the character’s overall aesthetics. Luckily, such borders can be removed without any hassle.

If you have the correct tools and are willing to be patient, it is possible to polish your sprites until they look professional. 

What Causes Cell Outlines to Show? 

Cell outlines are a problem that can be fixed, but you need to know why they appear first. Here are some potential answers: 

Poor Sprite Editing: If borders and outlines are showing, there is a chance that the sprites were not edited or saved correctly. 

Transparency Problems: Mugen relies on a specific color to represent transparency like pink or magenta. If there are edges on the sprites that are not properly cleaned up, the color pink or magenta will outline the sprite. 

Configuration File Issues: Sometimes, the problem stems from an outline being displayed due to some parameters of a character’s .def or .cns files. 

Now that we understand the possible issues, let us proceed to the solutions. 

Tools You’ll Need to Remove Cell Outlines

Before proceeding further, ensure that you have the following tools at your disposal: 

Sprite Editing Software: Software such as Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.NET are excellent for sprite editing. 

Mugen Character Files: Character’s .def and .cns files and sprites should be accessible. 

Notepad++: A text editor for modification of configuration files. 

Now that we have them, we can get to work on solving the problem.

Step 1: Erasing Outlines On Sprites Images In Mugen Characters: Pick The Right Eraser Tool

Truly, the first method on how to remove unwanted cell outlines would be the method that is best for all, which is pick the right eraser tool. Here is how to go about it . 

• Make Sure To Zoom Your Required Sprites File – Select Toggle Tool: Add your character’s sprite which is usually in .sff format. Remember to add it into your editing tool.
• Check For The Edges Outline – Make Sure To Zoom In: It is important to zoom into 200 to the edges of the sprites so that you are able to clearly make out the outlines.             
• Remove Any Unwanted Pixels – Use Eraser Tool: Check the edges of the pixels and use the erase tool on any unwanted edges but while making sure to keep the preserved transparency the color around it is pink and purple.
• Upload Changes: Once you are done with the changes, upload the saved sprites file and overwrite the desired file with the file present in your Mugen folder. 

This technique might take a lot of time, but it is guaranteed to work. It is sure to leave you sprite images outline free and clean.

These steps can take a lot of time, but in the end they are guaranteed to make your imagery up to the quality you expect of it, Sprites are bound to be image outline free.                                                                                                             

Step 2: Change The Sprites Shown Around Changing The Desired Transparency Color                        

Making sure to delete the sprites manually would be more challenging than changing the transparency settings of the eraser. Here is how to fix the problem:     

• Set The Required Def Setting Sprites Channels – Use Notepad Literally change the file: Go to Notepad check for the required sprite s.def file and change it to notepad.
• Make Sure To Search A Set Line: Transparency The Desired Color To Use: Scroll down while searching for a line meant for transparency. Set the outline for that line so that it resembles these otger lines:                                                                                                              

[Files] sprite = yourcharacter.sff pal1 = yourcharacter.act

pal2 = yourcharacter2.act

pal3 = yourcharacter3.act

pal4 = yourcharacter4.act

pal5 = yourcharacter5.act

pal6 = yourcharacter6.act

pal7 = yourcharacter7.act

pal8 = yourcharacter8.act

pal9 = yourcharacter9.act

pal10 = yourcharacter10.act

pal11 = yourcharacter11.act

pal12 = yourcharacter12.act

• Examine the Transparency Color: Make sure the color that is being set transparent is the same as the one in the sprite file. If it is not, then change the color code. 
• Save Proceed, Save your modifications and load your character into Mugen to check whether he still has the outlines. 

Step 3: Change the configuration files 

In case it still does not work, the problem could be in the character’s configuration files. Here’s what you will do: 

• Open the .cns file: Locate your character’s .cns file and load it in Notepad++. 
• Display Settings: Display settings or lines that might be causing the outline may be in the cns file and you should try to find them. 
• Change the Parameters: Check if there are parameters of sprite scale or render, and change them. You can change the scalestart or scaleend and see if that works. 
• Save your modifications and load your character into Mugen. 

Step 4: Anti-Alias (Optional) 

If you are still seeing outlines, opt to use anti-aliasing when using Mugen.

Anti aliasing can greatly diminish the outline of sprites by smoothing the edges of defined sprites. Here’s how to enable it:

• Open The mugen.cfg File: Open Notepad++ and go to your Mugen directory to open the mugen.cfg file.
• Enable Anti-Aliasing: Search the document for the following line:

AntiAlias = 0 

To enable anti aliasing, change it to: 

AntiAlias = 1 

• Save and Test: Save the file, open Mugen and test your character. 

Step 5: Test and Iterate 

After implementing these modifications, make sure to properly test your character. Play a few matches and see if there are any outlines appearing. If so, go over the aforementioned steps again. It sometimes takes several attempts to get everything working perfectly. 

Additional Tips for a Polished Look 

• Use High-Quality Sprites: To prevent the chance of outlines forming, start with a high quality sprite. 
• Double-Check Transparency: Ensure that the transparency color is uniform through all your files. 
• Ask For Feedback: You can give the character to get feedback from other Mugen creators as they might notice things that need to be improved that you were not able to. 

Conclusion 

Getting rid of cell outlines in Mugen can be a cumbersome task at the beginning, however, with the right steps it is perfectly possible.

Take the time to adjust the files and transparency settings of the characters. With enough effort, your sprites would look as if you are a professional character designer. Mugen users would no longer have to deal with bothersome outlines on characters. Best of luck, and remember to be attentive! 

Feel free to share this guide with your fellow friends. Do not hesitate to leave your feedback and thoughts in the comment section. Let’s attempt to nurture the Mugen community together!