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AVC 287 • Spring 2026

Week 8

Walk Cycle Animation Fundamentals & Student Feedback & Walk Cycle Fundamentals
March 09 – 11, 2026
← Week 7 Week 9 →

Week Overview

Monday covers this lecture covers the fundamentals of creating walk cycles in Blender, from basic foot patterns to complex character rigs. Students learn about contact and passing poses, hip motion relationships, and the principles of weight and timing in animation. Wednesday focuses on this lecture reviews student submissions for character rigging and Rube Goldberg animations, addresses technical issues with rotation systems, and introduces walk cycle animation fundamentals with hands-on demonstration.

Walk Cycles Animation Timing IK Chains Character Rigging Motion Paths Weight Principles Animation Principles Student Feedback Technical Issues Quaternions
Monday
March 09, 2026

Walk Cycle Animation Fundamentals

This lecture covers the fundamentals of creating walk cycles in Blender, from basic foot patterns to complex character rigs. Students learn about contact and passing poses, hip motion relationships, and the principles of weight and timing in animation.

Watch Full Lecture →
1
Setup and References
0:00 File Compatibility and Setup Issues
7:02 Animation Reference Books Introduction
2
Basic Walk Mechanics
12:12 Walk Cycle Fundamentals
15:05 Creating Basic Foot Animation
24:14 Motion Paths and Visualization
29:23 Weight and Timing Principles
3
Weight and Timing
38:01 Hip Motion and Compression
45:45 Weight Communication Through Timing
56:28 Animation Process Overview
4
Advanced Character Animation
58:27 Hip Rotation and Movement
1:06:23 Arm Motion and Constraints
1:26:01 Body Connectivity Principles
5
Technical Implementation
1:31:19 IK Chain Setup
1:40:44 Rigged Character Walk Cycle
1:55:28 Refinement and Knee Poles
6
Course Wrap-up
2:01:25 Assignment Review and Wrap-up

Key Concepts

  • Walk cycles require contact and passing poses as fundamental building blocks
  • Hip motion occurs twice per foot cycle with compression and expansion
  • Weight communication depends on timing delays between contact and compression
  • IK chains allow independent control of feet while maintaining realistic leg behavior
  • Body parts must show interconnection - nothing should remain perfectly still
  • Motion paths help visualize and refine the shape of movement through space
  • Bezier curve manipulation enables natural acceleration and deceleration
  • Pole targets prevent unwanted knee rotation in IK setups
Wednesday
March 11, 2026

Student Feedback & Walk Cycle Fundamentals

This lecture reviews student submissions for character rigging and Rube Goldberg animations, addresses technical issues with rotation systems, and introduces walk cycle animation fundamentals with hands-on demonstration.

Watch Full Lecture →
1
Student Project Reviews
8 student projects
0:00 Introduction and Setup
1:15 Student Feedback: Character Rigging Issues
2:41 Student Feedback: Ball Animation Projects
13:50 Student Feedback: Gundam and Rigging
17:54 Student Feedback: Animation Principles
24:09 Student Feedback: Advanced Rigging Techniques
40:44 Student Feedback: Gauntlet Animations
46:17 Student Feedback: Rube Goldberg Machines
2
Technical Problem Solving
49:31 Technical Discussion: Quaternion vs Euler Rotation
3
Additional Student Work
3 more projects
1:00:30 Student Feedback: Character Animation
1:28:33 Student Feedback: Final Projects
1:43:44 Motion Path Visualization Demo
4
Walk Cycle Instruction
1:56:47 Walk Cycle Tutorial Setup
2:00:00 Walk Cycle Animation Fundamentals
2:09:07 Advanced Walk Cycle Techniques

Key Concepts

  • Controllers should be keyframed instead of deformation bones for proper rigging
  • Quaternion rotation can cause unexpected easing effects compared to Euler rotation
  • Physics principles must feel consistent throughout ball animations
  • Motion paths help visualize and refine animation trajectories
  • Walk cycles require proper hip rotation and weight distribution
  • Squash and stretch should enhance rather than obscure velocity
  • Auto-normalization in weight painting can cause unintended vertex group changes
  • Spring break assignment: complete walk cycles and Rube Goldberg refinements