Sneak Walk Cycle, How can I improve?

[mtbuck24]

So I have been working on this same animation for about 2 hours now and I have nearly drove myself crazy trying to get it to look right. I thought I finally had it, then I exported the finished video and realized there is a lot more that needs adjusting. I just don't know how to go about making it look good.

Problems I am having: I know for one, my spacing and timing is off really bad. Other problem is his foot is sliding all over the place...I know somewhere on this forum I heard about a walk ruler? But can't find the source file. Also if someone knows where I can get that file how do I incorporate(don't know if that's the right word) it with Anime Studio?

Here is the piece of frustration (video)



Also here is the project file https://www.dropbox.com/s/4zitb181gwq0wld/Legs.anme

Constructive criticism welcome!

Thanks!

[wizaerd]

This is strictly my opinion, but I think the feet go up too high for a sneaky walk... For stealth I tend to think of tip-toeing, and the the lower half of the legs just go up way too high... But I'm a beginner as well, so I may be completely full of crap...

[mtbuck24]

This is strictly my opinion, but I think the feet go up too high for a sneaky walk... For stealth I tend to think of tip-toeing, and the the lower half of the legs just go up way too high... But I'm a beginner as well, so I may be completely full of crap...

Haha I'm a beginner too, that makes US full of crap! I just pretend like i know what I'm doing. Thanks for your input though!

[Lukas]

I recommend buying The Animator Survival Kit, the book will help a lot with basics of animation. It's a must have.

[Danimal]

The hips stay the same height the whole time. I'd rather see them dip on each step. When sneaking, the whole body tends to move more than when just regularly walking. The upper body, when added, should hunch forward on each step too.

[slowtiger]

See here:
http://animationresources.org/?p=2091 and scroll down to "Movements of the two-legged figure".

[ddrake]

The hips stay the same height the whole time. I'd rather see them dip on each step. When sneaking, the whole body tends to move more than when just regularly walking. The upper body, when added, should hunch forward on each step too.

Yeah, all of this is about creating a sense of weight. A sneak might seem a little trickier because it's going to be the opposite of most other walks because your character is trying to avoid heavy landing. So the actions on contact are smaller and more fluid, and the exaggeration should happen in the "up" stage. On that note I don't think your leg raise is necessarily too high if that's the look you are going for. Perhaps it's silly looking, but it's a cartoon so... maybe it's not how I would sneak anywhere(I don't think...) Though I would suggest straightening and extending the front leg forward more, making a step the character laterally eases into.

Also I realize that for simplicity sake you might just be focusing on the legs for now, and having the upper body there seems like something extra to work with, but it is important to the final look and will also give you a better sense of what is and is not working. In essence the body is the weight that the legs are carrying, so I personally would include it as part of the work process from the beginning. It helps me look at weight distribution and the body movements (leaning back, hunching forward etc.)also dictate whether or not it looks like the legs are doing their job.

[AmigaMan]

I agree that you should include the whole character from the start.
Here are a couple of 'sneaks' I did a while ago. They are 3D but the principle is the same of course.





EDIT: I've looped these a couple of times.

[mtbuck24]

I recommend buying The Animator Survival Kit, the book will help a lot with basics of animation. It's a must have.

I do have that book. Really good from what I read so far. Will keep on using it for tips, tricks, and techniques. I guess I tried doing something a little over my head and tried looking for how to do it while the answer was right there..

Thanks Lukas!

[mtbuck24]

The hips stay the same height the whole time. I'd rather see them dip on each step. When sneaking, the whole body tends to move more than when just regularly walking. The upper body, when added, should hunch forward on each step too.

Ha! That is definitely one of the things that I noticed that was off that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Thanks Danimal! I will use that in my next animation!

[mtbuck24]

See here:
http://animationresources.org/?p=2091 and scroll down to "Movements of the two-legged figure".

That is an awesome resource indeed! This, coupled with Richard Williams "Animator's survival kit" I have some invaluable tools and guidance!

Thanks slowtiger!

[mtbuck24]

Yeah, all of this is about creating a sense of weight. A sneak might seem a little trickier because it's going to be the opposite of most other walks because your character is trying to avoid heavy landing. So the actions on contact are smaller and more fluid, and the exaggeration should happen in the "up" stage. On that note I don't think your leg raise is necessarily too high if that's the look you are going for. Perhaps it's silly looking, but it's a cartoon so... maybe it's not how I would sneak anywhere(I don't think...) Though I would suggest straightening and extending the front leg forward more, making a step the character laterally eases into.

Thanks for the awesome pointers ddrake! I will use that knowledge going forward!

Also I realize that for simplicity sake you might just be focusing on the legs for now, and having the upper body there seems like something extra to work with, but it is important to the final look and will also give you a better sense of what is and is not working. In essence the body is the weight that the legs are carrying, so I personally would include it as part of the work process from the beginning. It helps me look at weight distribution and the body movements (leaning back, hunching forward etc.)also dictate whether or not it looks like the legs are doing their job.

This is true. I will make a rig with the whole body and work with the whole body when doing movements and walk cycles.

Thanks ddrake!

[mtbuck24]

I agree that you should include the whole character from the start.
Here are a couple of 'sneaks' I did a while ago. They are 3D but the principle is the same of course.

Awesome animations AmigaMan! Thanks for sharing those with me! I will use techniques like you have in your animation moving forward!

Thank you!

[Furpuss]

I recommend that you get a copy of Preston Blair's animation book. It has an excellent sneak cycle. Second, animate the character across the screen instead of holding him in one place. This will solve the foot sliding problem.

[mtbuck24]

I recommend that you get a copy of Preston Blair's animation book. It has an excellent sneak cycle. Second, animate the character across the screen instead of holding him in one place. This will solve the foot sliding problem.

Thanks furpuss I will definitely do that!