Robot Walk cycle animation

[Gabe]

I put together a quick walk cycle to test a character rig I'm doing for the robot pictured below. It's not perfect but for the purpose of testing the rig I think it turned out all right.

Walk cycle (http://www.sad-world.com/germany/drone.htm)

http://www.sad-world.com/germany/robot/robot11.jpg

[hrgiger]

Not bad but looks a little too fluid for a robot.

[pauland]

Originally posted by hrgiger
Not bad but looks a little too fluid for a robot.

Why can't a robot have a smooth walk?

Paul

[hrgiger]

A robot can have a smooth walk. But this doesn't look like the one to do it. Unless that's a polymimetic alloy(T2), that big band of metal in the middle shouldn't be bending like it is. Just looks a little strange that's all.

[Gabe]

Making him walk organicly was a deliberate decision. I think it gives him more personality and character. I like thinking soulfull robots, not mechanical unfeeling ones.

As for the flexible metal section... yeah, I knew that would seem odd to some people. The main character has even more flexible metal parts (Germany (http://www.sad-world.com/germany/germany.htm)). It's a high tech metal alloy that's flexible when charged... yep, that's my story and I'm sticking too it. More than anything I don't feel compelled to keep all my robot part rigid. To me a robot represents high technology not yet achievable... so why not flexible metal parts?

[liquidpope]

This is a great model, and I really like the "more fluid than a typical robot" walk cycle.
I would only suggest one of two things...

1. Since the lower legs and feet are heavy looking, I'd empasize that a touch more. You're right there in the zone, but I think I'd go just a little farther with the hip rotation, or maybe adjust the timing a little to where the feet pick up a tad later.
2. Or just slow the whole cycle down a wee tad. The walk really looks good as is, I think he just moves a little to easily.
Does that make sense?

All in all, great work! Can't wait to see the finished production.
Speaking of seeing more, when can we see an animation of Germany dancing?

[HowardM]

dude, it looks freaking mocapped! :) but thats great, considering you hand animated!

[Kuzey]

Coolness....it definitely has a lot of personality!!

It would be great to see it dance:D

Kuzey

[astro-sanchez]

I think it does give him more personality
nice walk cycle
and I also think that the scene you have
in the pics also looks good.

[Maimo]

i thinks it's great.

a note about the set...
imo you should make the silver walls less metal looking, they dont provide enough contrast from the robot. perhaps more of a flat matte white.

[mattclary]

LOVE the stills! I really liked that metal interior!

[Gabe]

LOVE the stills! I really liked that metal interior!
Thanks. You can see more interior shots here (http://www.sad-world.com/germany/).

[Maimo]

i like the screens and other props as metal, but i think the walls are just overkill.

thats just my opinion, not trying to start a war or anything.

[Gabe]

Maimo, it's cool man. that's why I'm posting these so I can get different opinions on it. For what it's worth, the reason I put the red pads on the walls in the main chamber was to cut down on the metal. I do like the overall look of the set but I may cut back on the metal some more as you suggest. The problem is coming up with something else that I like. Another issue is all the metal and the long damn render times for doing all that raytracing for the reflections. Render times are going to kill me on this project.