The Animation Timeline

Pose 1

Pose 4

Pose 8

Figure 12.8

Frame 1

Frame 10

Frame 20

1

Keyframe 1

Keyframe 2

Keyframe 3

12.5 Walk Cycle Reference Image

The Walk Cycle Reference Image depicts a Character walking in different Poses. When drawing

a Pose for any movement, the more Poses the better. More Poses will mean a more even

movement in the Animation when each Pose is displayed in succession. Bear in mind drawing a

Pose takes time, therefore, you have to strike a balance between drawing time and the quality of

the animation.

Figure 12.9

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

In using the Walk Cycle Image, observe that there are 9 Poses. Pose 1 is identical to Pose 9,

Pose 5 shows arms and legs opposite to Pose 1 and 9, Pose 2 arms and legs are opposite to

Pose 6, Pose 3 arms and legs are opposite to Pose 7 , and Pose 4 is a opposite to Pose 8.

When the Walk Cycle image is entered in the 2D Viewport Editor as a Reference Image it is

treated as a non renderable Object in the Scene. This means that it does not become part of the

final Animation. When the Image is entered it is in Object Mode. In Object Mode you may Scale

(S Key drag Mouse), Rotate (R Key drag the Mouse) and translate (G Key drag the Mouse) or

use Tools, to suit the view .

Figure 12.10

While in Object Mode you may wish to center a Pose at the center of the Viewport to use as a

tracing template when sketching. The alignment of the image in the Viewpot has no bearing on

the position of the drawing in the animation. You reposition the tracing on completion.

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