- \n
- Create a Reference\n
- \n
- – Select GENERAL || File > New Scene > <\/strong>\u25a1;<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_000.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_000\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – ANIMATION || File > Create Reference > \u25a1;<\/strong><\/li>\n
- \n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_001.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_001\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- Create Reference Options:<\/li>\n
- – Name Clash Options:<\/strong> Resolve all nodes with this string: penguin;<\/em><\/li>\n
- Note: this will affix the string penguin<\/em> to all the nodes you are bringing in.<\/li>\n
- – Click on [REFERENCE];<\/li>\n
- \n
- – (Browser Dialogue Box)<\/em>: Select the previous file.<\/li>\n
- Note: The file will load into the current one. In the Outliner<\/em> you’ll see a diamond icon and red names in the Hypergraph<\/em>. This tells the user these files are loaded from a read only.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_002.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_002\\"")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_003.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_003\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Layers\n
- \n
- – Turn the visibility: ON for the geoLayer <\/em>and the setupLayer<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – Make sure the smooth<\/em> attribute on the master<\/em> node is set to 0.<\/li>\n
- Note: you should now see only the low-res model along with its rig.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_004.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_004\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Change The View Panels\n
- \n
- – STAGE || Panels > Layouts > Two Panes Stacked.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_005.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_005\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Change the top panel to Side view<\/em> and the bottom panel to Perspective view.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – For the Side View<\/em>, select STAGE || View > Predefined Bookmarks > Left Side.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_006.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_006\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – In the Side View,<\/em> turn Off<\/em> STAGE || Show > Nurbs Surfaces. <\/strong>& STAGE || Show > Polygons.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_007.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_007\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Final result
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_008.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_008\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/p>\n
Animating a Walk Cycle<\/h2>\n
Begin your animation by creating a single cycle. To create a cycle you will need the start and the end position to be the same.<\/p>\n
Animate The Feet Sliding<\/h2>\n
Key the horizontal positions of the feet to establish their forward movement. This will result in a sliding motion of feet.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Set Your Time Range\n
- \n
- – Set the Start Time<\/em> and Playback Time<\/em> to 0;<\/li>\n
- – Set the End Time <\/em>and Playback End Time<\/em> to 20;<\/li>\n
- Note: This gives you a smaller time range to work with as you build the cycle. Full stride 2 steps of 10 frames each.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_009.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_009\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Active Character\n
- \n
- – In the Current Character<\/strong> menu next to the Range Slider, select penguin.<\/em><\/li>\n
- What this does:<\/strong> Any keys you set will be set on all the attributes of this character node.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_011.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_011\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Position And Key the Lower Body Start Pose\n
- \n
- Key the starting position of the character in the position of a full stride.<\/li>\n
- – Go to frame 0;<\/li>\n
- – Select the lHeelControl<\/em>selection handle and set the following:\n
- \n
- Translate Z:<\/strong> 16 units;<\/li>\n
- Roll:<\/strong> -3;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- – Select the rHeelControl selection<\/em>handle and set the following:\n
- \n
- Translate Z:<\/strong> 0;<\/li>\n
- Roll:<\/strong> 10;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- NOTE: Make sure the translate tool is set to world coordinates.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Set the pelvis<\/em> Translate Z:<\/strong> 13;<\/li>\n
- – Move the pelvis down till the knees bend. My pelvis<\/em> is Translate Y:<\/strong> 12;<\/li>\n
- – Leave the arms for now.. Values may not match but make sure our character looks similar to the following image.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_010.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_010\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Select penguin:penguin <\/em>and press “s”;<\/li>\n
- Note: The entire character gets keyframed since penguin character is selected in the Current Character<\/strong> menu at the bottom right interface.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Position and Key the Right Foot\n
- \n
- – Go to frame 10;<\/li>\n
- – Set the rHeelControl<\/em> Translate Z:<\/strong> 32 units and roll:<\/strong> -5;<\/li>\n
- This translation value is exactly double the value of the initial left foot key. This is important to ensure that the two feet cycle together.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Set the lHeelControl<\/em> roll:<\/strong>10;<\/li>\n
- – Set the pelvis<\/em> translateZ:<\/strong> 16 units;<\/li>\n
- – Select penguin:penguin <\/em>and press “s”;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Position and Key the Left Foot\n
- \n
- Move the left foot similar to the starting position.<\/li>\n
- – Move to frame 20;<\/li>\n
- – Set the lHeelControl<\/em> translateZ<\/strong>: 48 and roll:<\/strong> -3;<\/li>\n
- – Set the rHeelControl<\/em> roll:<\/strong>10;<\/li>\n
- – Set the pelvis<\/em> translateZ:<\/strong> 48;<\/li>\n
- – Select penguin:penguin <\/em>and press “s”;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Save: 041712_14-Animation_01.ma<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Edit the Animation Curves<\/h2>\n
Refine the in-between animation by changing the animation curves, tangent options.<\/p>\n
- \n
- View the Curves in the Graph Editor.\n
- \n
- Edit the animation curves produced by the keys in the Graph Editor<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – Clear your selection.<\/li>\n
- – GENERAL || Window > Animation Editors > Graph Editor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- – Graph Editor:<\/strong> highlight the penguin<\/em> character<\/li>\n
- – Select STAGE || View > Frame All.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_012.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_012\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – CTRL + SELECT the lHeelControl:TranslateZ<\/em>\u00a0 and rHeelControl:TranslateZ<\/em> in the Outliner section of this window.<\/li>\n
- – Select STAGE || View > Frame Selection.<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_013.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_013\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Playback the animation to see the motion.<\/li>\n
- Note: Opening the Graph Editor<\/em> when the feet lHeelControl and rHeel Control <\/em>are selected will see the animation channel with the keys set in the negative direction. This is the animation curve connecting the RotateZ<\/em> of the foot to the Roll<\/em> attribute. Remember roll<\/em> is set to -3.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_0131.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_013\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n- Edit the Curve Tangents On the Feet\n
- \n
- The curve tangent type should change so the steps cycle smoothly. The default tangent type is Clamped.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Select Graph Editor || Tangents > Flat.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Note: The visual difference between clamped and flat tangents are subtle. Look at the start and end keyframes on the curves. The flat tangents will create a smooth hook-up for the cycle between start and end frame.<\/li>\n
- clamped:<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_0151.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_015\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- flat:<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_016.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_016\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nAnimate the Feet Up And Down<\/h2>\n
Key the vertical raising and lowering of the foot to show the stepping action.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Turn On Auto Key for animating.\n
- \n
- Use Auto Key<\/em> to help in the raising of the feet. Auto Key<\/em> will automatically\u00a0 keyframe any attributes on the selected node that already have at least one keyframe, and for which the value is changing.<\/li>\n
- – Click on Auto Keyframe<\/em> button on the right side of the Time Slider to turn it on.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_017.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_017\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Open the Animation Preferences<\/em> window: Click on the button just to the right of the Auto Keyframe<\/em> button.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_018.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_018\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – ANIMATION PREFERENCES<\/strong> (window)<\/em> || Timeline > Playback Speed > Play Every Fame;<\/strong><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_019.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_019\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- \n
- – ANIMATION PREFERENCES<\/strong> (window)<\/em> || Animation > Settings > Tangents > Default In Tangents > Flat;<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – ANIMATION PREFERENCES<\/strong> (window)<\/em> || Animation > Settings > Tangents > Default Out Tangents > Flat;<\/strong><\/li>\n
- This will set future tangents to flat.<\/em><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_020.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_020\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Click [SAVE];<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Raise The Right Foot at mid-step\n
- \n
- Key the high point of the raised foot in the middle of a stride<\/li>\n
- – Go to frame 5.<\/li>\n
- – Select the rHeelControl.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Translate the foot about 1 units up along the Y-axis.<\/li>\n
- This sets a new key for the Y-axis channel of the foot using Auto Key.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Raise the left foot at mid-step\n
- \n
- – Got to frame 15<\/li>\n
- – Select lHeelControl.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Move the foot about\u00a0 1 units up along the Y-axis.<\/li>\n
- Key is automatically set.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Playback results<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Save\n
- \n
- – 041712_14-Animation_03.ma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Animate the Pelvic Rotations<\/h2>\n
Create a more realistic action by setting the pelvis’ rotation and position to work with each step. Set keys for translation and rotation of the pelvis using Auto Key.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Set the Pelvis Y rotation\n
- \n
- Animate the pelvis rotation to give the walk a little more rotation.<\/li>\n
- – Go to frame 0;<\/li>\n
- – Select the pelvis<\/em> node using its selection handle.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_021.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_021\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- – Switch to top view. Rotate Pelvis using the rotation handle clockwise -10 degrees.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manibogstudios.com\/blogger\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/041212_14-Animation_022.gif\" "\\"041212_14-Animation_022\\"")
<\/a><\/li>\n- Note: This points the hips towards the left foot and right hip towards the right foot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Rotate the Pelvis in the opposite direction.\n
- \n
- – Go to Frame 10<\/li>\n
- – Rotate the pelvis<\/em> in the opposite direction by about 10 degrees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Copy a keyframe to another point in the timeline.\n
- Set the Pelvis Y rotation\n
- – ANIMATION PREFERENCES<\/strong> (window)<\/em> || Animation > Settings > Tangents > Default Out Tangents > Flat;<\/strong><\/li>\n
- – Click on Auto Keyframe<\/em> button on the right side of the Time Slider to turn it on.<\/li>\n
- Use Auto Key<\/em> to help in the raising of the feet. Auto Key<\/em> will automatically\u00a0 keyframe any attributes on the selected node that already have at least one keyframe, and for which the value is changing.<\/li>\n
- – Select Graph Editor || Tangents > Flat.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Edit the animation curves produced by the keys in the Graph Editor<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- – Set the rHeelControl<\/em> roll:<\/strong>10;<\/li>\n
- This translation value is exactly double the value of the initial left foot key. This is important to ensure that the two feet cycle together.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Roll:<\/strong> 10;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Roll:<\/strong> -3;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Translate Z:<\/strong> 16 units;<\/li>\n
- What this does:<\/strong> Any keys you set will be set on all the attributes of this character node.<\/em><\/li>\n
- – Set the End Time <\/em>and Playback End Time<\/em> to 20;<\/li>\n
- – Set the Start Time<\/em> and Playback Time<\/em> to 0;<\/li>\n
- – Make sure the smooth<\/em> attribute on the master<\/em> node is set to 0.<\/li>\n
- Note: The file will load into the current one. In the Outliner<\/em> you’ll see a diamond icon and red names in the Hypergraph<\/em>. This tells the user these files are loaded from a read only.<\/li>\n
- – Select GENERAL || File > New Scene > <\/strong>\u25a1;<\/li>\n