Digital Tutors - Creating Run Cycles in Maya

In this set of Maya tutorials we will how to use Maya's intuitive and fun animation tools to create a convincing run cycle.

We'll start by taking a look at our rig and figuring out a rotate order that would be most suitable for our needs. We'll then jump right in an start blocking in our run; adding extremes and breakdowns. Once this is finished, we'll begin polishing the animation, which includes refining arcs, achieving weight and balance, as well as solidifying each pose.

We'll also learn how to mirror and transfer animation to work faster, and learn how to translate the run forward. In the end, you'll not only learn how to animate a run cycle, but, more importantly, learn techniques that can be used to improve the quality of your animations.

1. Introduction and project overview

2. A look at the rig

3. Working with references and creating the initial pose

4. Mirroring poses and cycling the animation

5. Animating the Down position

6. Correcting the arcs of the legs and adding weight to the upper body

7. Finishing the legs

8. Completing the COG's movements during the run

9. Animating the upper torso

10. Finalizing the neck and head

11. Correcting the arcs of the right arm

12. Completing our work on the left arm

13. Adding follow-through to the forearms

14. Wrapping up the run cycle

15. Translating the run forward