Process and Production: 2D and 3D Walk Cycles

Process and Production

Study Task 8 - Walk Cycles 2D, 3D and Beyond

For the 3D Walk-Cycle, I decided to redo the Stop-Motion walk-cycle I created with my Puppet. I wanted to fix some of the errors I had made before and therefore, added more of a "toe flick" on the second step and also added additional frames to make the movement smoother. I wanted to fix the arm swing, however I felt this could have been done better, as the hands still stutter slightly. To help with the movements of the Walk Cycle, I used The Animators Survival Kit, in order to understand the movements.

First Attempt, from previous task

Second Attempt for Study Task 8

I imported the frames into Photoshop and made the background transparent and added a small shadow. After this was rendered, I added some additional motion effects, by drawing over the frames on the hands and feet, with a textured brush.

Doing so added more motion to the walk cycle.

For the 2D Digital Walk Cycle, I started by doing a test in Photoshop, however this didn't go as I wanted it to, as the proportions of Mearas' figure changed and flickered, so I decided to start this again. 

I did the initial sketch of the walk in TV Paint. I used The Animators Survival Kit, by Richard Williams to help with the timing of the frames and positioning of the arms in relation to the legs. 

In the redo, I think the proportions work better and remain consistent with her walk style. I think this could be further improved with more exaggeration and consistency of the hair movement, which I will aim to focus on in the walk cycle I create for the animated short.