Sharing my Gen AI workflow for animating my sprite in Spine2D. It's very manual because i wanted precise control of attack timings and locations.

Developer and artist Selphea has detailed a comprehensive, manual generative AI workflow designed specifically for creating and animating 2D game sprites with professional-grade precision. The process begins with using models like SDXL or Illustrious for initial character design and concept ideation. To maintain consistency across animation frames—a common challenge with AI generation—Selphea employs ControlNet, a technique that uses reference poses to ensure stability and coherence in the character's form throughout movement sequences. The goal is to produce assets ready for animation software like Spine2D, with particular attention to the precise timing and placement of attack animations.

For the crucial step of creating a unified character sheet, Selphea utilizes Nano Banana, a tool adept at generating consistent character turns and expressions. This sheet then serves as the foundation for creating individual animation assets. The workflow emphasizes a flat, cel-shaded art style, achieved through specific prompting and the use of shading models that yield animation-friendly outputs. While Nano Banana Pro is highlighted for its quality, Selphea notes that more cost-conscious creators can achieve similar results with alternatives like Qwen Image or Z-image Edit, which offer more iterations for the price of a single Nano Banana request, albeit potentially requiring more manual tweaking. This pipeline represents a significant shift, demonstrating how AI can be integrated into a controlled, artist-driven production process rather than replacing it.