Running Un-Away

Candall · Fri 08/09/2006 07:44:30

Hello again, folks.

This time it's a running-in-place animation. I actually downloaded a video of someone running in place and based this animation upon that footage... folks, this version is MORE animated than the fitness instructor in the video.

Now, I think this animation is pretty good... but I'm not in the business of pretty good

Anybody got a suggestion to make it great? I should mention that this character is a ball of perpetual motion... running in place is just its default state.

Gilbert · Fri 08/09/2006 07:58:50

Nice!
Hmmmm I don't know, maybe a little bit change in the elevattion of his head (so his eyes look up and down slightly) during the animation, instead of looking at the same direction?

I'm just curious, this robot is blue instead of red, are they supposed to be the same robot?

MadReizka · Fri 08/09/2006 08:24:58

Is the animation too fast? It looks like its gone mad

jasonjkay · Fri 08/09/2006 12:47:56

Quote from: MadReizka on Fri 08/09/2006 08:24:58
Is the animation too fast? It looks like its gone mad

I dont think so, but I did just imagine it running 3 times faster then running away LOL. Pretty funny in my mind.

Candall · Fri 08/09/2006 12:52:19

Gilbot: It's a different robot

It looks so similar because it's a prototype like the red one. As for your suggestion, that will be perfect. It'll work really well because I plan to make the "talking" animation exactly the same except that the head will be facing more toward the side... so having it go from motion to still will add a bit of humor, I think. Thanks!

MadReizka: This prototype burns a bit too hot. He IS the machine version of insane.

jasonjkay: When it's actually in transport, you won't even see it move

Thanks, all!

MashPotato · Fri 08/09/2006 16:49:37

I hope you're not offended by this, but I find your robots very cute ^_^
Maybe if he's an insane robot, have his eyes flash different colours? (it may look completely stupid, I'm just throwing an idea out there)

Candall · Fri 08/09/2006 17:14:56

Quote from: MashPotato on Fri 08/09/2006 16:49:37
I hope you're not offended by this, but I find your robots very cute ^_^
Maybe if he's an insane robot, have his eyes flash different colours? (it may look completely stupid, I'm just throwing an idea out there)

Not offended at all!Ã,Â In fact, that was my aim.Ã,Â In the story, these robots are being hunted down by their creators in an attempt to destroy them (they are, after all, only prototypes).Ã,Â The cuteness is an attempt on my part to make the player feel sorry for them even if they're only machines.Ã,Â So... thanks

I'm a bit worried that the flashing eyes may be a bit repetitive, but you gave me an idea that I think will work beautifully... I think I'll add an "idle" animation that's identical except that one of the eyes flickers on and off, so that it looks like it's twitching.Ã,Â What do you think about that?

MashPotato · Fri 08/09/2006 17:39:44

I think that twitching idea is good... it might be neat if one eye started flashing (like it's twitching), then his head rapidly goes back and forth to "shake it off" ^_^

Candall · Fri 08/09/2006 17:56:40

Quote from: MashPotato on Fri 08/09/2006 17:39:44
I think that twitching idea is good... it might be neat if one eye started flashing (like it's twitching), then his head rapidly goes back and forth to "shake it off" ^_^

That's a great idea, thanks! I have to go out of my way to give them lots of personality through their animations, so this is wonderful!

EagerMind · Fri 08/09/2006 18:53:05

Looks good. But the arms and legs aren't really moving with the same intensity. He's really pumping away with his arms, but just kind of lifiting his legs off the ground. Maybe more motion/intensity in the legs - bring the knees a little higher up.

Buckethead · Fri 08/09/2006 19:27:01

it gives me the feeling that he's exercizing, he looks cute though

alimpo83 · Fri 08/09/2006 19:30:23

I think it looks great!

Candall · Fri 08/09/2006 19:44:03

EagerMind:Ã,Â Yeah, that's true.Ã,Â Like I said, I mimicked the movements of an actual fitness instructor performing that very motion, and that's how she was moving.Ã,Â For this robot, though, it does look a bit off.

Buckethead:Ã,Â It sorta is.Ã,Â The robot is incapable of standing still, and its prototypical ability is super-speed, so I thought that running in place would be a good way to characterize it.Ã,Â It also happens to be a popular aerobic exersize, so whaddayadoo?Ã,Â

alimpo83:Ã,Â Thanks

EDIT:Ã,Â To demonstrate my statement about carrying out character through animation:

Layabout · Sat 09/09/2006 00:59:52

your robots remind me of the crazy robot in futurama... any influenes?

Candall · Sat 09/09/2006 01:21:34

Quote from: Layabout on Sat 09/09/2006 00:59:52
your robots remind me of the crazy robot in futurama... any influenes?

Not a conscious one, no. I like Futurama, but I didn't watch it regularly when it was new, and I never think to watch the repeats. I can certainly see the resemblance, though.

2ma2 · Sat 09/09/2006 17:37:32

The running in place anim seems a bit smooth for something fast paced. Perhaps let it jerk a bit vertically whenever the foot touches ground.

Very solid animwork. Dare I ask what software you use for this?

Candall · Sat 09/09/2006 19:30:40

Quote from: 2ma2 on Sat 09/09/2006 17:37:32
Very solid animwork. Dare I ask what software you use for this?

Certainly! I'm actually using Blender. They're models rendered with shadeless materials so that they don't pick up highlights or shadows (the few shadowy areas are just given different, darker materials).

Getting the edges to render that way took some fanangling with Blender's node editor.