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Notes & Lessons
  Grading Rubric
  OSX Basics
  Basic Computer Terms
  Connecting to the Staff Server
  Filenames, Assignments and Projects
  A1: Hexnut & Flower Drawing
  A2:
  1. Scene with Layers
  2. Basic Motion Tween
  A3: Motion Tween on a Path (Intro to Symbols)
  A4: Nested Animations
  A5: Mask Layers
  A6: Intro to Buttons
  A7: Animated, Animated Buttons
  Project 1:
  1. Expanded Square
  2. Monochrome Scene
  3. Intro Scene
  4. Navigation Scene
  Project 2: Character Animation
  1. Introduction
  2. Character Design & Symbol Creation
  3. Terms & Definitions
  4. Overview of the Walk Cycle
  5. Getting Started
  6. Frame Nine
  7. Body Bounce
  8. Animating the legs and feet
  9. Refining the Arm Animation
  Motion Tween Quiz Review
  Handout_2
  Preparing a Web Portfolio: pt. 1
  Preparing a Web Portfolio: pt. 2
  Web Portfolio: pt 3
   
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WALKING ANIMATION
Pt. 3: Terms & Definitions Used in this Unit

Flash: Intertactive Web Animation
Teachers: Ken Kimura
email: ken_kimura at lsrhs dot net
telephone: (978)443-9961 Ken Kimura: XT2221
Also see diagram: Position Guide for Legs
Also see: project example: walk cycles
Pushing Leg
The leg that is on the ground and is pushing the body forward. This leg stays on the ground for an entire step.
Swinging Leg
The leg that is not on the ground and is swinging forward to get ready to catch the body as it moves forward. This leg touches the ground on the first and last frames, but is off the ground for every other frame during a step.
Leading Leg
The leg that is ahead of the body and the other foot.
Trailing Leg
The leg that is behind the body and the other foot.
Contact position
This is a pose where both feet have contact with the ground. The leading leg is usually straight at this point, wheras the trailing leg is usually slightly bent.
Passing Position
This is the point halfway between the first and second contact points. This is a pose where both feet are directly underneath the body. The body weight is only on the pushing leg which is slightly bent. The swinging leg is bent slightly more, lifting the foot off the ground with the toes pointing downwards. The body is slightly higher than at the contact position.
Down position
This is the point halfway between the first contact position and the passing position. The body is at its lowest position and the pushing leg has just taken the entire weight of the body. The swinging leg has it's toes still pointing downwards.
Up position
This is the point halfway between the second passing position and the final contact position. The body is at its highest because the pushing leg is straight and on its toes.
Right Leg / Left Leg (also applies to arms & feet)
Note: THIS IS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF YOUR CHARACTER. For example: the right leg refers to the character's right leg. If you character is in profile and is facing the left, then the leg furthest from the camera is the right leg. This applies to feet, arms, and hands as well.
Also see diagram: Position Guide for Legs
Also see: project example: walk cycles
Edited 1-9-08