first 3D character animation test

[egerie]

Please don't choke to death between two laughter :)

took me 3 hours (http://mysite.directlink.net/thierry/joe_walk_1_.avi) and this is my first draft of a standard, boring walk cycle. I've NEVER done anything substantial in 3D and am starting to dable with animation in 3DsMax. It's hugely frustrating but I guess it's normal in the begginings... Makes the peg bars feel like home !
Allright so, there are just a couple of keyframes (hence everything happening at the same time, on the same keys) and I haven't touched the curves or anything yet.
Oh yes there's one other thing ; I first tried to animate this bugger in auto key but there were some weird interpolations. So I redid it in straight animation method (keys 1, 2, 3 and not indbetweening keys) in set key animating mode.
If anyone has pointers in order to help my 3D learning curve, please feel free ! I'd be delighted. :)

You might recognise this character as it's Daniel Martinez's Joe IK test. It was graciously available on his website (http://mysite.directlink.net/thierry/joe_walk_1_.avi) .

Be direct but keep in mind I'm a sensitive kinda gal ehe
Ege
"That flash means 'act fast' ! Duck and coveeer.. doodododooo doo doo doodooo" -Atomiccafe

[egerie]

Today's little Tweakage (http://mysite.directlink.net/thierry/joe_walk_1_2.avi) (110 K)

[Charcoal]

I think its lookin good. Im no expert, but I would just say to remember all the stuff you learned in traditional. I use the same approach to computer animation than I do with drawn. Meaning still starting with sketching thumbnails and then figuring out the rough timing first. I might even still use xsheets as I work just for myself. Its all the same, your just using a computer now. Follow through, breaking of joints and all that good stuff. Just like my drawn stuff, the more I plan out a scene in my head, the more stress I save myself down the road. Remember to act out scenes yourself once in a while. You probably know all this but already , but I see some people sitting around by thier computers all day hacking away when sometimes that just makes it more confusing. I don't know if that works for other people, but approaching stuff this way made the transition to 3d much less intimidating and a lot more enjoyable for me. Sorry Im not such a big help on the technical stuff, but Im still learning myself. Keep at it.

[Kortez]

Nice job, my only crits are that when walking our upper torso moves a bit (shoulders pushed forwards) and you have a tad too much knee movement in this video (that is, the knees come too far up in each step)

that's the only thing I can see, other than that great stuff :)

[Erik]

Good one!

I agree on the torso movement, and would add that maybe the hands move back a little 'jerky', the rotation of the lower arm starts pretty suddenly. Maybe that key should be distributed more.

I read somewhere that the arm moves in a really really narrow figure 8 or more like 9 when moving back and forth. Maybe that helps?

He looks heavy too when walking.

Good job, i never have enough patience to get it right ;-)