walk cycle
{{short description|Looping animation of a walking character}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{refimprove|date=December 2014}}
{{One source|date=October 2021}}
}}
{{multiple images|direction=vertical
|image1=4-frame-walk-cycle.gif|width1=80
|image2=Walk-cycle-poses.jpg|width2=200
|footer=A simple four-frame walk cycle}}
In animation, a walk cycle is a series of frames or illustrations drawn in sequence that loop to create an animation of a walking character. The walk cycle is looped over and over, thus avoiding having to animate each step again.
Creating a walk cycle
Walk cycles can be broken up into four key frames: the forward contact point, the first passing pose, the back contact point, and the second passing pose. Frames that are drawn between these key poses (traditionally known as in-betweens) are either hand-drawn or interpolated using computer software.
Image:Breakdown_of_Walk_Cycle.jpg
Besides the apparent move of the legs, many more details are necessary for a convincing walk cycle, like animation timing, movement of the arms, head and torsion of the whole body.[http://www.idleworm.com/how/anm/02w/walk1.shtml Walkcycle tutorial] from http://www.idleworm.com{{cite news |title=svg animation |url=https://www.svgator.com |access-date=18 April 2023}}
There exist many techniques to create walk cycles. Traditionally, walk cycles are hand-drawn, but over time with the introduction of new technologies for new mediums, walk cycles can be made in pixel art, 2D computer graphics, 3D computer graphics, stop motion, and cut-out animation, or using techniques like rotoscoping.
References
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110612084817/http://www.awn.com/qas/60.html The Walk and the Whip](archived) sample animation with video (awn.com)
{{Animation}}
{{animation-stub}}