four legged animal walk
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Good article on four legged animal walk from animationmeat.comTRANSCRIPT
Animating and Drawing4-Legged Animals
Author Unknown: Maybe Glen KeanePDF created February 19, 2000
1PDF provided by www.animationmeat.com
Animating Four Legged Creatures
2
The purpose of these notesis to give a simple approachto animating a four-footedcreature.
An animator should feelconfident in the characterhe is animating. If not, hiswork will lack strength andconviction.
He needs to feel "free" toanimate and not getbogged down in complexanatomy.
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Animation Approach
3
3 basic solid massesconnected by a flexible spine.
Note: Leg bonesparallel each other likea folding chair.
Keep the shapes simple when animating
Overlap shapes for Dimension
Wrong
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Attitude
4
Attitude is first, then put it on model
If you aren’t surehow to draw anattitude - draw itusing a simpler2-legged characterfirst.
Let the Entire body reflect the attitude.
Follow rhythm from head to tail
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Comparative Anatomy
5
Note angle of thigh bonesof humans points inward...
But when we stand onour toes the angle pointsoutward as the heelspoint inward...
...Just as a dogs
Note tuck after ribcage.(Cats tend not to have this "tuck")
Ribcage same shape/ Necks curve inthe opposite direction due to doghaving to hold head out.
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Comparative Anatomy
6
A dogs scapula is located on the side of theribcage
Human scapula islocated on the back ofthe ribcage.
This placement of thescapula is why a dog hasvery limited lateralmovement with its frontlegs, as compared to thedegree of freedomwe havewith our arms.
Rhythm of humanlegs reflected inrear legs of animals.
Longer rear legs give hind end a lift.
Rhythm of armbones same as indogs.
Horizontalhuman ribcage
Vertical animalribcage.
Lateral movement ondogs elbows.
Dogs rear legs are longer than front as arehumans legs longer than the arms.
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Comparative Anatomy
7
An animal walks in basically the same pattern as a human crawls.
In a relaxed attitude a dogslegs are not bent in acrouching position, just as amans are not.
Note straightness ofbacklegs particularly.If they are animatedalready bent in a walkit will be difficult toshow any subtlesquash and stretch.
An animal walks on his toes and "fingers".This gives his walk a springy, light feel.
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Squash & Stretch
8
Build up chest mass in anticipation.A straight leg will give a betterchance for a subtle squash infollowing action.
As weight comes down on theforeleg, the scapula risesabove backline.
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Animation Drawing Points
9
Line of action reverses in animal walks
As animal shifts weight from one leg to the next in awalk, the hip will drop to the side that has no support.
Opposing tiltsadd interest
Note: Angle of hip.
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Line of Action
10
...Follow Line of actionthrough the body.
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11
Animal Drawing Points
Curve Not Straight
Watch for
Simplify angle ofleg. Use curves.
Avoid thisangular look.
Head &Neck Mass
Belly
Forequarters
Hindquarters
Another breakdown ofanimal body is into parts.
Back fitting intoshoulder mass.
Neck tapers show
Avoid"tube"neck.
Shoulder mass islarge because ofthe muscleneeded to supporthead - Especiallynoticable in theGrizzly Bear.
Muscular necks onbigger dogs.
static legplacement.
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