Topic: Walking Test - Feedback

Hey guys,

Its been some time since I last posted here or did a brick film. Yesterday I ended up doing a small walking test.

I realize I have a particular way of how I do my minifig walking cycle and wanted to get feedback on what you guys think of it, and if theres anything I could do to improve.

This was shot at 15 FPS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQUOeXly99A

Thanks,
Divine.

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Re: Walking Test - Feedback

Not a bad walk. Assuming you're looking for a more casual, natural walk, here are two key things that I'm noticing.
1. He comes to almost a complete stop when his foot is under him, then the foot pops suddenly forward. When both feet are under this is the passing position. The rear foot is swinging forward, passing the stationary foot. This is the fastest moving point of the foot, when it swings forward. Having it slow to a stop at the bottom kills the momentum and then suddenly popping forward without easing, causes a little bit of a jerky movement. This might be good for a goosestep march or a peculiar walk.
2. The second thing is that the body's momentum should be relatively continuous. If you were to hide the feet, the head should be constantly moving forward, which would be the most efficient, energy-wise. Slowing between each step might be good for if he's pulling or pushing a heavy object, or if he's injured, where the walking would be heavily laboured.

Look into the four phases of a walk cycle: Contact, Down, Passing, and Up
in that order, they give you the four major key poses needed, and then you can add frames between them to adjust the pace

I highly recommend Richard Williams' Animator's Survival Kit, in particular for walks. Much of the book focuses on walks, and he goes into a lot of detail on them. There's also a video series, and I'm not sure how much of it, if any, is on youtube, but I believe the videos are basically a seminar he gave in which he goes over the exact same material in the book, so while it's nice to see it in motion, the book is really all you need.

https://bricksafe.com/files/thistof/hillbillyheist/TofAnimation.png

Re: Walking Test - Feedback

Hi Thistof,

Thanks for your great feedback!
So I guess with your first point, I've noticed that as well with the rear foot swinging forward to continue the walk cycle. What is the best method do you think to eliminate that lag? I mean what would be the best thing to do rather than have the forward leg stop? I'm trying to figure that out. I think the biggest thing here as you mention is also the ease in and ease out which also kind of get to me in a walk cycle. How do I achieve the ease in and out and where do I achieve it? Is it at the point of when the legs switch and the rear goes forward and the front goes back?

2. That is a good point about the head movement Ill look into fixing that in my next walk cycle!

I am actually looking at Richard Williams stuff right now, it does seem very useful! Thanks for that mate. Appreciate it.

Will do some research and try again soon.

Cheers,
Divine.

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Re: Walking Test - Feedback

I think the best way to get rid of the problem where the foot is lagging behind is to eliminate one or two of the frames you have of the foot coming down onto the stud. Also, don't miss out the frame where both of his feet are on the ground, as that will also cause this 'lag'.

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Re: Walking Test - Feedback

I did notice that thanks for the tip Dragon! Appreciate it. I'll definitely look into it on my next walk cycle.

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