Java - Game Animation Techniques
<p>So, after ages of searching all I ever keep coming across is spritesheet. I am planning on making a multiplayer game where the changing of items and gear happens regularly. I want to have fun creating new items, but with spritesheets it can get ridiculous redrawing the same movement and having choppy transitions. </p>

<p>cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/524970/header.jpg?t=1475608912 </p>

<p>Here is the game that kind of inspired me. Very smooth characters and when I watch the animation it is basically just rotating parts, or expanding the image. Am I missing something, or is there an animation technique where you can easily just rotate limbs, or perhaps just expand the image without having to constantly sift through images. Some pseudo code could be ImageWidth = ImageWidth * 1.5 to create a bigger version. Or ImageRotation = 20 where the image rotates at a certain point. Just wanting to know what people use to animate themselves or if you have advice for me.</p>