John McClane Animations

[KevinKraeer]

Update (side view):

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/newside.avi

[byranx]

The upper body movement looks good so far. There's something about his leg movement though...either his stride is too long or his feet are coming off the ground too high up for what looks to be like a jogging type of motion.

[KevinKraeer]

Hey thanks for the feedback. Made some adjustments to the stride; I also lengthened the legs slightly as they were just a tad too short:

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/082507side.avi

[DrAdamDinosaur]

Things are looking a little stiff at the moment. The vertical motion of the character and the feet landing make it look like he's clomping along, not runnign smoothly. The legs need to stretch out more before making contact with the ground(the fact the legs are so bent when hitting the ground is what is make him feel like hes stamping so much) It could also help to flick the feet up before they make contact with the ground. I think hte characters spine is also looking very strange. The character should be leaning forward to run but it all seems to be coming from the first spine node. Try straightening the first node up a little ant using more of the spine to lean him forward. I also think the spine could twist a little better. Try easing into those extremes a little and making the arms swing a touch more.

[Kristofferic]

Dr.Adam hit alot of the same crits that i noticed. I agree with him that the legs are too bent on the contact pose... also try moving his hips forward more, atm it looks like his his legs are leading his hips to much.

[KevinKraeer]

Hey thanks guys. I will address all of those suggestions later today/tomorrow. Meanwhile I've taken a first pass at some of the first person animations, let me know what you think:

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/beretta_fire.jpg

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/beretta_fire.avi (http://www.kraeeranimation.com/beretta_fire.avi)

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/beretta_reload.avi

[Pitvipr]

I like the run cycle, but I noticed some things.

As you run or walk around the hips naturally tend to tilt to the side which has the lowest foot to the ground. His up motion seems a little jerky and too high. I think the timing is good on the overall motion, just needs further tweaking as some of the past C&C's have stated.

[DrAdamDinosaur]

Good start on the reload but I think it needs a little more motion in it. Push the actions you already have. When he is ejecting the clip really push his hand down like he's forcing it out. When he puts the new magazine in, make both hands move. Either both hands moving towards each other to force the magazine in or make the right hand move due to the force which the left hand is pushing in at. The animation would also benefit from a little more finger movement. The fingers on the gun hand relaxing slightly when putting the new mag in etc. You may also want to make the fingers closer together. There wouldn't be those gaps between the fingers when grippin a pistol.Also, it looks like there is a little snap with the left arm when he is pulling back the slide. I think it may be because its so close to the camera. The motion on the gun hands wrist turning over could also be a little smoother. Currently looks a little fast.

Firing looks good/functional. Not sure what ense you could do there.

[KevinKraeer]

Thanks guys. I'll revisit the run cycle and the reload and post an update later on this week. I actually started updating the run, but not enough to warrant a new post. I think it may need to be a bit faster as well; it's looping now at 23 frames (30 fps), and when it plays fast in the viewport (Alt+V) it looks more "right" to me. Is 23 frames about right or should I be shooting for a much shorter framespan? Thanks again for all your advice.

[KevinKraeer]

Adjusted the run, trying to touch on all points of the past critiques:

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/070908_run.avi

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/070908_front.avi

Something looks a bit jerky in the front view. Not sure what exactly. Thanks in advance for your critique!

[KevinKraeer]

I revised the Beretta reload as per Dr. Adam Dinosaur's suggestions:

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/091507_reload.avi


http://www.kraeeranimation.com/reload_preview.jpg

Thanks in advance for any critiques/advice!

[Pitvipr]

Oh really nice weapon reload! good motions and exaggeration. I would like to see him empty the whole clip , then reload. (nitpicky I know) :D

Great work on the reload, I really love the motions :)

[KevinKraeer]

Hey thanks Pitvipr. I'm working on making these into clips in Trax editor, so emptying the clip shouldn't be a big deal. I'll take a look at that next session. On a side note, in preparation for the SMG reload, I've started modeling an MP5. Here's a quick first pass:
http://www.kraeeranimation.com/mp5A.png
http://www.kraeeranimation.com/mp5B.png
http://www.kraeeranimation.com/mp5C.png

[KevinKraeer]

Hey guys. Still working through some game-style animations with John McClane here, moving through the fps-view clips. Here's the latest, a first stab at the MP5 reload:

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/mp5reload.avi

http://www.kraeeranimation.com/mp5reload.gif

Let me know what you think!

[anthonymcgrath]

nice beretta reload anim - only thing I'd add a bit more exagg too is the first bit where the clip leaves the gun.. maybe a bit more lift n drop in the wrist as if he's helping it leave the gun faster.

nice update on the run anim - looks a less stiff than the last one but still feels a bit casual as opposed to urgent (maybe your going for casual in which case he may be a bit more posed up like he is in the films... gun in both hands down by his lower body ready to lift, aim n fire)

MP5 anim is nice but those guns aren't light - if he took the front hand off it it would prob sink in his other hand a little so maybe try adding that?

overall - great work... someones keeping busy :D

[KevinKraeer]

Hey thanks Anthony. I'll take a look at all those points this week.

[mcbridecasey]

Your characters elbows are coming up a bit high (above the shoulder) its a little unnatural. But other than that it's awesome. I like the first person animations too.

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.