Creating character sprites for sequence animation with Sprite Editor (New in version 5.3)

1. Prepare a "numbered" sequence of images for the facial features or body parts and add them to a folder.
   
2. Create a character.
   
3. Select the character and switch to the Composer mode.
   
4. Pick one of the facial features or body parts (in this case, the left eye).
   
5. Open the Sprite Editor. Select the element you want to replace.
   
6. Replace the element using either of two methods:
   • Click the Replace Current Element button to load all the numbered images.
     
   • Select all sequenced images, then drag and drop them onto the slot of the element.
     
7. Choose the item from the Frame Options drop-down list to determine the playback behavior for the element, then click the OK button. Notice that this setting can be made in the later step.
   
   • Looped Sequence: The element loops forever once it is activated by the sprite editor on stage.
   • Regular Sequence (Play Once): The element plays once when it is activated on stage.
   • Individual Elements: Each sequence image becomes a new sprite element.
8. The sprite element will contain the sequence images.
   
   This is evident with the icon near the lower-left corner.
   
   You can also transform the element manually if necessary.
   
9. Right click on the element to invoke the context menu.
   
   • Change Thumbnail: Loads an image to customize the appearance of the thumbnail.
   • Playback Speed: You can choose to set the playback speed of the sequence animation of this element.
     
   • Loop Options: You can choose the loop style when this element is activated by the sprite switch key.
     
     For facial features or body parts, it's Play Once, by default.
10. Click the Preview button to check out the animation.
    
11. Repeat the same steps for other elements of the face and body.
12. Return to the Stage mode and create facial expressions for the character. Notice the differences in the element composed of a sequence image.