Jump exercise

[Wick3dParticle]

Hello Again...

I just uploaded a bigger & clearer version of the jump animation.

you can get it here:

http://pratt.edu/~igabai/jump.avi

Please feel free to comment...
Thank you,
Ilan

[OneSharpMarble]

I can't watch your newer one, it tells me quicktime needs some plugin but i can't install on this comp. So i cant scrub through your animation on youtube which would be much better.
- You need to compress further down, as far as you can and push those arms out back really far too. He needs to store up as much energy as possible before the jump.
- The arms needs to fly up, no one jumps and leaves their arms hanging down. They build up momentum as they travel up wards. You need to get up and do some practice jumps yourself to really see what happens
- I like that you are using settle but your knees are going too straight and you have too much bouciness that ends roughly.
- The fingers move too much and they look late.
- Head needs to bend further down also on compress.
- Make you initial arm swing smoother, also bring them up higher.

I have some great reference I used for jumps when I made my reel.
Link (http://www.thatvideosite.com/?search=free+running)

Check out the free running videos, they have alot of jumps and climbs and you should be able to get the timing you need from them easily. Good luck.

[Wick3dParticle]

Thanks a lot phillip.
You gave me a really helpful critique. Thank you for taking the time to break down the specific parts that need work. One thing i didnt understand was when you mentioned "settle"?

The reason you got the error message from quicktime is because you most likely dont have the xvid codec installed.
Thank you for the reference link... great resource!

Thanks again,
Ilan

[moose2k1]

Hey Ilan,

I was able to watch your second pass and I agree with OneSharpMarble in his comments.

When he says settle, its when your character lands, he doesn't just stop! He's actually taking time for his body to settle into the relaxed pose at the end (you see his arms swinging lightly and his knee bends). I think you can tone down the knees for sure, too bouncy as SharpMarble said, and I would even tone down the initial arm swing just a tad...

I have seen people jump with their arms to the sides. I have a documentary called Baraka, which there is this african tribe that actually jump for the heck of it, pretty funny, but its def. a jump with "attitude", so I wouldn't go that route with a one jump animation.. His arms should go up, if you don't want to do a full blown arm stretch, make his arms bent some, here are a few good poses (the dude in the green shirt maybe a good compromise to arms all the way up (2nd guy from left, and all the way down, 3rd guy from the left):



http://www.absk.org/sjsu/photos/misc/jumping.sized.jpg


Regarding the energy needed to jump, he should def go down further. This is the characters and yours, oppurtinity to show some squash and stretch.. You can achieve squash and stretch not just by scale, but by poses and if you get him really down, it will read better for the spring!

The overlapping animation is good on the up for his legs, but his legs get in the, i'm about to land position too early, hold that off a bit more so his knees are bent a tad longer. If he's legs get ready for a land that soon, then he's controlling his landing, which is not the case...

When he does land, I would add a subtle shuffle or two of the feet. Go ahead and jump high right now and you won't just land in place, as your knees adjust to the impact, so does your feet, arms, body, etc.. If you shuffle the feet a little (very subtle bunny bounce), it will add to your land even more!

----------------------------

Adding more Appeal to your animation: I know you want your character to simple jump and land in his stance, did you consider maybe him taking a step back, then step forward and bend for the jump. For example, try jumping and reaching for a basketball net. We all have done this to see who can jump the highest, its rare somebody just stands in place and jumps. Usually you get a running start or at least take one foot back and then lunge down and up...

Hope these helps, who would have thought so much goes into a jump! hehe

[Wick3dParticle]

Hey Moose,
Wow!
Your response was perfect! your explanation really clarified things for me. Thank you for your time and your patience, you have really helped me out.
I will try to update you guys soon,
Ilan

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