PRODUCT UPDATE / 2D animation · Game assets
Ludo launches Directional Sprites beta for eight-way character animation
The new web tool renders 2D sprite sheets from a shared 3D character, with multiple art styles. Preset animations require humanoid rigs; model creation and sheet rendering have separate costs.
A workflow to consider when a new character needs matching animations in several directions.
Ludo released Directional Sprites in beta on October 15. It builds a rigged 3D character, then renders 2D animations in up to eight directions. The workflow targets character consistency when turning in top-down or isometric games.
One model for every facing direction
The earlier New Direction mode generates new views from an existing animation, one at a time. Directional Sprites uses a shared model. Ludo says this keeps clothing, proportions and ground alignment consistent; each direction becomes a separate sprite sheet.
The feature guide lists 14 styles, including pixel art, painted and watercolour looks. Preset movements need a humanoid skeleton. Other and No rigging produce still poses, which can go to the Sprite Generator for custom animation. The beta is web-only, with no API, MCP or CLI access yet.
Eight credits for eight sheets, plus the model
The introductory rate is one credit per directional sheet, or eight for a full set; previews are free. Building the character costs another five credits with Prop or 16 with Hero, including its skeleton. Eight credits therefore covers the sheets, not the entire character pipeline from scratch.
Engine setup remains a separate step. Ludo's import guide explains that Unity and Godot slice PNG grids using their actual row and column counts, while Phaser can read TexturePacker JSON. Animation Pack aligns frame sizes and ground lines across clips; RPG Maker requires rearranging frames into its character-sheet layout. Check turns, animation transitions and collision bounds in the project.
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