Walkcycle sketch

[yourhumblecartoonist]

I just worked out the bottom half of my main character's walkcycle, and I wanted to get everybody's thoughts on it.  I'll have a full animation in a few days.
http://www.deviantart.com/view/23119700/

[big brother]

From my brief glance...

Frame 7 needs some work. His foot needs to land farther out when he takes a step, otherwise it looks like he's snapping his knee inward with every step on his right leg.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I would suggest bringing his leg out farther when he steps down and bending his foot just before he picks the leg up.  Nice work.

[bspeers]

Walkcycle sketch you say?

WALKCYCLE SKETCH:

MAN: Excuse me, I was wondering if you could complete a walkcycle for me, please?
SALESMAN (suddenly very annoyed):  Pardon me?
MAN:  Er... I mean... a walkcycles?  With legs and arms moving--an animation.  This is an animation studio, isn't it?
SALESMAN:  Oh, yes.  Sorry.  I thought you said, "I demand that you have sex with me right now."
MAN:  Oh... er...
SALESMAN:  I guess it was sort of a silly conclusion to leap to, really.  I mean, it did sound like you said "walkcycle" -- I really don't know why I jumped to that conclusion.
MAN:  Uh, right.  So, uh...
SALESMAN:  I guess it's just I'm a little sensitive, that' s all.
MAN: Ah.
SALESMAN:  Again, sorry.
MAN:  Right.  So are you taking--
SALESMAN:  NO I AM NOT!!!
MAN: Um... sorry?
SALESMAN:  You sick bastard.
(SALESMAN 2 comes in)
SALESMAN2: Something wrong, Jim?
MAN: Um, I just asked if he could do a walkcycle and he keeps--
SALESMAN2:  Ooh, you *are* naughty, I will have to discipline you.
SALESMAN:  Sick! You're both sick!
MAN:  No, look, I'm not looking for sex!
SALESMAN2: You're not?
MAN: NO!
SALESMAN: Well, what did you want then?
MAN:  I want... oh, I just wanted an animation done!
(Sensor walking on)
SENSOR (OFF):  I'm sorry, sorry
(Walking on)
SENSOR (to camera/audience): Stop filming please.  (To players) Right, I am Gene Mundlebeehicks, and I'm going to have to shut down this sketch. (Shows badge).
SALESMAN2:  Well, I hardly think--
SENSOR:  Don't think--don't think eh?  Smut.  Absolute smut.
MAN:  I'm just asking for a walkcycle done.
SENSOR (suddenly very compliant):  Well all right, just once, and he (poining to SALESMAN2) has to watch.
MAN:  All right.
(they all begin to disrobe)

END

[TheYak]

Boo..  That was god-awful (actually, I'm inwardly laughing, but publicly I have to express disdain).

[Paper Carnival]

That's nice... But frame 6 kinda ruins it. I think the leg on the back should be more left on that frame, but the next frames will need to be fixed too

[Stefano]

Frame 7 needs some work. His foot needs to land farther out when he takes a step, otherwise it looks like he's snapping his knee inward with every step on his right leg.

I second that.
The leg shouldn't be straight until frame 8 or 9...
The way it is, is looking like he has a prosthetic leg or something. 

[yourhumblecartoonist]

Thanks for the comments, folks.  I see what yall mean, I think I'm going to add two more frames to fix some of those problems.  And Bspeers, that walkcycle sketch waas hilarious!

[big brother]

Sorry if this is overkill, but I'm posting these walkcycles for reference. I hope they can help you. Some of these are over a year old, so don't go too hard on me. My goal is to show different framecounts, and the resulting walkcycles. A functional walkcycle doesn't necessarily need a lot of frames to look decent.

4 frames


6 frames


8 frames


10 frames

[Kweepa]

# frames == # colours?

Awesome walk cycles.
I think you got a little carried away with the head movement in 10...

[yourhumblecartoonist]

Thanks for the examples, bb.  I think I might trim it down to six frames now and make it simpler.  Btw, I just started playing the apprentice, and it's tremendous.  Terrific job!

[Darth Mandarb]

When I see BB's 10 frame animation I keep hearing the opening beat to "Stayin' Alive" playing ... totally excellent!

I use 8 frames for almost all my walk-cycles.   I feel it achieves the best motion with the least ammount of frames.

Although sometimes, if it looks alright, I will pull a front walk-cycle down to six frames.  For side walkies though, it's usually 8 frames.

[Stefano]

When I see BB's 10 frame animation I keep hearing the opening beat to "Stayin' Alive" playing ... totally excellent!

Hahahahahahahaha!