Animate a Run Cycle with "Monty"

Monty runs for the bus

In this 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.  

This tutorial is part of our large and growing library of animation and vfx tutorials at our Vimeo Channel - free for all our students. 

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

You can find the "Monty" Run Tutorial at Vimeo below:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/7265813

Run Cycle by Fabrizo Bergamo

Locomotion Resources at Escape Studios

To see more about how to animate walks at Escape Studios, read the blog posts below:

• Animate a Run Cycle with "Heavy"
• "Stewart" Walk Tutorial with Marc Stevenson
• Animating the ZigZag Walk with Alex Williams
• Learn to animate a basic walk with "Monty" by Alex Williams

• 

  • Animating the "ZigZag Walk" with Alex Williams

  Basic Walk Cycle Tutorial using "Ultimate Walker" with Amanda Costa
• Character Walk Tutorial with "Monty", with Alex Williams
• 100 Ways to Walk with Kevin Parry
• How to stop feet sliding in a walk cycle, with Alex Williams
• Character walks with Houman Soroushnia
• Basic Run Cycle Tutorial with Marc Stevenson
• "Monty" walk tutorial with Marc Stevenson

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our BA/MArt follow this link.