Proper run and jump animation


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By WinterT - 12 Years Ago
Hey everybody I just wanted some feedback on an animation I'm working on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSZHimEyWGA&feature=em-upload_owner

It's not done, but its hard to tell what's missing exactly. I was thinking a new set of eyes would help. It's going to be exported to UDK for a 3D side scrolling game. My original plan was to mimic the jump motion below but I couldn't even come close to getting the right results with my skills(or lack thereof).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku2uxwcqVbI

If you can help me do this one ^^^ I'll send you a cookie lol

By mark - 12 Years Ago
Looks like it's pretty much there.
I would say as he jumps he needs to be moving forward a bit more cause his momentum would continue to carry him forward not just straight up.

Just a thought:)
By justaviking - 12 Years Ago
Some thoughts, in random order:

  • Difficult to really judge with the person running place.  A moving background (or moving character) would really help get a better feel for it.
  • Jumping from both feet... would probably have a little "hop" first, land on both feet and crouch to then spring up with the big jump
  • Landing... I'd say have one foot lead the other, at least a little... with the lead foot landing a bit earlier than the foot that lands second, so you land with a little "step"

Nice start though.  Tough decision now is, how much time to you spend refining and perfecting the jump, or do you continue making more of the movie?

  • Option A: Great jump, but no movie
  • Option B: Great movie with a mediocre jump in it
  • Option C: You are so awesome, you do both!!!
By WinterT - 12 Years Ago
Thanks for all the feedback guys.

@mark it does seem like forward momentum is a bit lacking, I tired adjusting the torso so when he goes up he leans forward tranisitions to level then lands leaning slightly back. It resulted in a horrible mess lol. But I'm working on the idea.

@justaviking it would be easier if he was really moving forward to get a visual, since it's being exported to UDK I didn't really think about that. I just learned how to keep a previously moving model in the same place after the fact so next go around I do that method so its easier to tell. I also tried transforming the foot to come down first also resulting in a horrible mess.

@sw00000p wow thanks for the guidance the points you made are really helpful from a gaming animation stand point. And I do technically have a "falling animation" it's the same height as the top of the jump.

I smoothed out the jump below, only minor changes as of now. Still wanting to have the proper shifting weight as mark and justaviking recommended. Might hold off if this works out in UDK as is. It is just a side scroller after all.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CV1k1rU1XA&feature=youtu.be][/url]
By justaviking - 12 Years Ago
WinterT,

You can put a video on a plane beside your character.  It might be difficult to get the right speed, but you can put a video of "scenery moving" to give the illusion that your character is moving.  It might help you visualize it, even if it's not perfect.

By colour - 12 Years Ago
FWIW - Content Developer Big Boss has several combinations of Run Forward & Jump in one of his Animation Packs, in his Marketplace Store. If you can purchase them individually, you can Edit Motion Layer / Break - & Delete the part of the Motion you don't want etc. to fit your specific requirement.

You would need to purchase Reallusion DA (Direct Access) Points beforehand.

Worth looking into, IMO, since the Motions are what you would expect to see in a Game.

I purchased the complete pack (Expensive), for putting Pinhead in "Slapstick" situations. they have proved very useful so-far & have saved me a lot of time.

I'll add a very short Clip to my Post, demonstrating just one Run Forward & Jump Motion that I amended as above, by using one of iClone Program's stock Run Forward Motions & adding Big Boss's amended Run Forward & Jump Catch Branch etc Motion.

You could use a stock Motion(s) & then Edit Motion  Layer to fit. Tricky, but doable IMO.
By WinterT - 12 Years Ago
@colour I have seen some of Big Boss's packs before actually. Most of it is pretty good stuff. Not everything would be relevant to what I want to do overall but still a good reference point as you said. I've decided to keep the run jump animation as it is since the person I'm making it for loves it. It's funny, I'm more of a stickler for detail than him so maybe I was just over thinking the whole thing. Once it's ported to UDK I'll post a video of it in action.

Thanks for all the advice and tips! Most appreciated!