Creating animations without Spine

Spine workaround/alternative using DragonBones

Guide

1. Installing software

1.1 Dragonbones

Install DragonBones 5.6.3 [dragonbones.com] (It's free)
If you have difficulties downloading it from the official site here's direct download link:
tool.egret-labs.org/DragonBonesPro/DragonBonesPro-v5.6.3.exe
or Google drive link[drive.google.com]

1.2 Script

Windows:

Download latest release zip [github.com] of Spine Converter for DragonBones.
For older releases check releases page[github.com]

Mac:

Install Python 3.0+ [www.python.org]
Download latest code zip [github.com] of Spine Converter for DragonBones.

2. Converting .skel to .json

Choose any animation and collect .skel, .atlas and .png files assosiated with the animation in one folder.

Windows:

Drag'n'drop .skel file onto SpineConverter.exe. You should now have .json file in the same folder as other files.

Mac:

open settings.json and paste path to file in "filePath" section. You can copy path to file by holding down Option keywhile in right click menu and pressing press "Copy X as Pathname".

3. Importing to DragonBones

Import .json, .atlas and .png files by pressing File -> Import Data and choosing "Texture atlas". Choose paths to your files. Import window example:

After importing you'll see your character:

4. Editing animation

Do whatever you like with the animation, just don't forget to save frequently.
Animation by Anti:
My examples:

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5. Exporting from DragonBones

Export project. Set type to “Spine” and Data Version to “2.1”.
Image Type should be set to “Texture Atlas”.
Your project has to contain at least 1 skin in order to width and height information to be in .json.
Export both Data and Texture otherwise .json will not contain width and height information.
Example of export settings (turn off whitespace striping, will change this screenshot later):

6. Converting .json to .skel

Drag'n'drop acquired .json onto SpineConverter.exe (or change path in settings.json for Mac).
Since DragonBones doesn't support commas in project names script will automatically put commas around word "sprite" in .json, .atlas and .png file names in .json file's folder. Converter will also replace .png file name inside .atlas file.
Example:

7. Testing

Put .atlas and .skel in hero's anim folder. Put .png file in hero's texture folder (don't forget there are multiple color palettes).
Launch DD and test your new animation. You don't need to restart the game. Just go to the main menu and back.
Go back to step 4 if needed.

Making skins with DragonBones

F.A.Q

What should i avoid doing?

• Do not name slot(bone hierarhy) and skin(image library) differently, this will cause an error when loading into the game like "couldn't find region"
  
• Don't use characters other than those in English alphabet (you'll see "OverflowError: int too big to convert" error when converting to skel);
  
• Don't try to flip animation by setting scalings of bones to negative values, it will break the animation;
  
• Don't assign multiple images to same slot, if you do you'll get "Can't allocate more objects!" error and game will become unstable
  
• Don't leave empty spaces in your textures which can be cropped otherwise textures will be stretched. Cropping example:

When i export nothing happens

If you run the export then nothing happens, your node.exe is being blocked.

To fix this, go to https://nodejs.org/en/download/ and download the windows 32 bit version. Install it.

Then go to the install location, so typically C:\program files\node.js

Take the node.exe, and overwrite the one in:
C:\Program Files\Egret\DragonBonesPro\egretlauncher\server\win

Big thanks to TheAwkwardHeady and Sherin for figuring it out.

Hero is all white with no texture

Open .atlas file with Notepad++ and change texture file name.

Hero looks like a mesh of texture

Don't forget that there are several color pallets for every hero. Change it to the one you've edited.

I made a transparent texture, but in game it looks too bright/glows

Use this script [drive.google.com] made by AlienAtSystem#9334. Drag'n'drop png or a whole folder file onto it. If you have questions about this script you can pm AlienAtSystem#9334 at Discord. I'll try incorporate this script into converter one day.

Do i need to mirror animations for enemies?

No, game flips them for you. Every animation should face to the right. If you really need to flip something then use Json Flipper[drive.google.com]. Use it the same way as you use Converter - Drag'n'Drop.

Hero doesn't move in game

Don't forget to change animation's name. Go to animation mode and check bottom right corner. Animation name should be the same as in the file name.

I can't import something i just exported from DB

For some reason DB doesn't add Spine version into JSON files, but check for that info when importing something. Open JSON file and add spine version, it should look like this:
{"skeleton": {"width": %, "height": %, "hash": " ", "name": "%", "spine": "2.1.27"},...

Credits

• KaoTheCow for creating guide on how to use SpineConverter
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2129596601
  
• brachna for creating SpineConverter [github.com]
  semgilo for his binary reading code for 2.1.27
  
• Anonymous_Koala for providing repaired heroes' animaions [drive.google.com]

If you have questions you can message me at discord: "monteepoke"

[Sinicero]

at step 6, the converter supposedly do all the .sprite. naming, but mine doesn't and i have to do it manually from inside atlas and outside too.

There is one strange thing is that the json file was named correctly after export but png and atlas file weren't.

Im using the latest 1.0.5 spine converter on Window btw.

[MonteePoke]

I think you need to rename .dbproj file

[Bandina]

helo where can i rename the skel file in dragonbone, i was told i need to rename the skel file too when trying to recolor monster sfx (same monster, same sfx just recolor)

[TheLorisCrak]

i did, idk why it appears blank (red cubes)

[MonteePoke]

When importing did you import png file as well as atlas and json files?

[TheLorisCrak]

another question, why i cant see the sprite? i can see the bones and the red blocks but not the png

[MonteePoke]

Anywhere, just extract files from it

[TheLorisCrak]

w h e r e d o i p u t t h e R e l e a s e Z i p ? ? ?

[TheLorisCrak]

i'm trying to do a custom highwayman skin, but i hate the scaff bones, can i just delete it and make a full new bone section only for the head?

today i'm trying to work with this guide

[MonteePoke]

Try asking at https://discord.com/invite/darkestdungeon in modding channels
Have no clue myself