Simplistic(ish) Walk Animation

UP · Sun 23/12/2007 12:29:32

OK, I made this character in one quick session a while back and was surprised at how well it turned out (it was supposed to be just a concept). So I decided to use this as a ground to make a (sideways) walk animation on, which is something I've always had just too much trouble with. I drew it pretty freehand, but hopefully it's not too obvious, or at least too disturbing.

So, the character is just black (with a gray outline to stand out from the backgrounds). I was surprised at how hard it eventually turned out to draw it when the closer leg is swinging forward. But when I checked it out on AGS I thought it was quite OK. At least on the feet, there's a couple things still funny with the coat, it's doing a bit of over-exaggerated flapping, but I wasn't able to fix it. I would probably have to redraw all the coats.

But as I mentioned I checked it out on AGS, so I don't have any programs to convert it into an animation. But maybe someone more capable can do that, as I suspect it gives a better view of things...

As I seriously dislike doing walking animations, I'll probably try to manage with just the side views, if that's possible... (If I even use this, as I haven't yet even checked what it actually looks like in different resolutions (and I haven't even completely decided what resolution to use

)

(Edit): OK, here's just the new walking animation:

Nacho · Sun 23/12/2007 13:11:48

I suggest you to animate it, otherwise is very unlikely that you are going to get good crits...

Renal Shutdown · Sun 23/12/2007 17:36:13

I'm not going to critique the walkcycle itself, as for me it's just a series of images. Like Nacho says, animating it will get a better response.

I will, however, give you an insight into how I do walkcycles.

1. Does the character have baggy clothes and/or long coat.
2. Remove aforementioned bloat and concentrate on the structure.
3. Re-add bloat when walkcycle's ready.

UP · Sat 29/12/2007 11:18:24

OK, so what programs are there to do animations with? As I mentioned I don't have one...

In the meanwhile, does anyone have any comment on the character itself (forgetting the walkcycle)?

Renal Shutdown · Sat 29/12/2007 12:25:06

Pro Motion is quite popular. Deluxe Paint Animation thing's s'posedly good if you can find it. Paint Shop Pro comes with an Animation Shop. I think Image Ready might be animation. There's quite a few out there.

As for the character itself, I'm not sure what to say. Nice hat?

UP · Fri 01/02/2008 13:18:55

OK, so sorry to bump this (especially so late) but I guess the editing of the first post didn't bump it, as I didn't get any response, and I'd really like to know if there's anything good here.

So, does anyone have any comments, or will this just fall back into oblivion again (also known as the pages beyond page 1 (and maybe 2) - and I promise I won't bump it that time

)

Is it bearable?

vertigoaddict · Tue 05/02/2008 23:14:09

I think it looks flexible and smooth, good job. You should actually be glad there's not much response; take it as a sign that your work is good enough.

Illustrious · Wed 06/02/2008 14:55:01

Ok, just a quick reply as I pop in to look.

I have not tried to or successfully finished a walkcycle myself, however,

The animation of your walkcycle shows the charactor moving within the confined space you have allocated, what I'm trying to say is, there should be a single point where the charactor is glued and seemingly walking in mid air.

Think about it...

Oliwerko · Fri 08/02/2008 22:04:29

Well, he looks like he is suddenly stopping movement of his right leg on half way forwards. Also it is not a loop, so it is a bit useless if I can say that this way.

What I would suggest:
1. Clean it so he moves in one place
2. Fix that right leg
3. Loop it so the movement is continous

UP · Sun 10/02/2008 16:45:52

OK, here finally is the improved version. I should've just fixed it originally...

As might be obvious, I can't log in on weekdays, so it'll again take a while before I can respond.

Oliwerko · Mon 11/02/2008 11:21:37

Quote from: UP on Sun 10/02/2008 16:45:52
OK, here finally is the improved version. I should've just fixed it originally...

As might be obvious, I can't log in on weekdays, so it'll again take a while before I can respond.

It is getting better, but the right leg is still a bit jerky. But anyway, good work! Maybe some movement of the coat in the upper part would not hurt tho...

lo_res_man · Mon 18/02/2008 21:39:30

the left leg doesnt seem to be quite in sync with the right leg. As well, it doesn't seem to be really in contact with the ground. I can see the right leg steping, almost grabbing the ground, but the left leg seems floaty and almost going in another direction entirely.