Animate a Run Cycle with "Monty"

"Monty" runs for the bus

In this beginner's tutorial we show how to animate a simple, basic run cycle with "Monty". 

The tutorial uses the excellent "Monty" rig (which you can read about here), and which you can download for free from highend3d.com.

Every animator should know how to animate a basic walk and a run cycle - these are the "scales" of the animator's skillset.  

Monty Run Cycle

 

Slowish 9 frame run cycle with Monty

Runs

A run is an efficient gait, somewhat similar to a walk, but with the difference that it is faster, and at some point in the cycle both feet are off the ground.  

9 Frame Run Thumbnails

The thumbnails above show a simplified slowish "9 Frame Run" on an 18 frame cycle (1 step every 9 frames), easy to break down into sections.  Start by animating Monty in the Right Foot Contact position at frame 1, then do the same at Frame 19. Then do the mirror image Left Foot Contact at frame 10, and then fill in the down position at frames 4 and 13, and the high points at frame 7 and 16. Once this is done, tidy your curves in the Graph Editor. 

6 Frame Run Thumbnails

Faster 6 frame run cycle with Monty

You can also make a small adjustment to the timing of the run by following the same type thumbnails, with a slightly faster timing.

Observing Motion

Animators must learn to observe how humans act and move, and be able to replicate that character and personality in their motion. 

Monty Run Tutorial

Monty Run Tutorial Part 1

https://vimeo.com/834090954

Monty Run Tutorial Part 2

https://vimeo.com/834091079

Monty Run Tutorial Part 3

https://vimeo.com/834091211

Run Cycle by Fabrizo Bergamo

Locomotion Resources

There are many resources on walks (and locomotion generally) at Animation Apprentice. Follow the links below to find out more about walks and character walks.

• Animate a "Manly Walk" with Monty
• Animate an "Angry Walk" with Monty
• Animate a "Double Bounce Walk" With Monty
• How to Animate a Basic Walk with "Monty"
• Animate a Basic Walk with "Heavy"
• Character Walks with the Bio Motion Walker
• How to Fix a Floaty Walk Cycle
• How to stop feet sliding in a walk cycle
• Why animators need treadmills for walk cycles 
• Why Walk Cycles Need Sine Waves
• Animating the "ZigZag Walk" on "The Thief & The Cobbler" 
• Two Ways to Animate a Walk Cycle - Which is Best?
• Character Walks by Alexander Savchenko
• Why animators should always take two steps
• Character Walk reference by Houman Sorooshnia
• 100 Ways to Walk by Kevin Parry

To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link.