Animating Creatures Comfortably

Came across this series the other day and thought it was worth sharing here. I find its always quite interesting to see other folks workflows in action. This particular series is fairly old but seems relatively unwatched which I think is unfortunate as it is fairly informative and free which is always a bonus in my book. I would recommend watching the videos at around 1.5x to 2x speed as there is some slow periods, I didn't find I missed anything of what was being said either but each to there own. PART 1 Part 2 Part 3 I also found this very quick video with a tip on using video reference directly in Maya. I will include it too as this wasn't something I had considered in the past however after trying it out Ive found it really can speed up the animating process. 

Animal Movement Breakdowns Here are a few wonderfully informative extracts from Richard Williams Animator Survival Kit simplifying animating animal locomotion.  If you don't have the book yet go get it, it is a must have for every animator.          What the Spine has to Offer? While touched on a little in the horses gallop I feel Richard Williams doesn't really highlight just how much of an effect the spine has in an animals locomotion. Unlike people on the move animals spines can undergo some significant compression and stretching, this varies widely depending on the species in question and has real influence in how believable your animation is. Below are two animals on different ends of the flexible spectrum, despite both having similar timings and footfall patterns (Albeit a longer period of suspension in the lighter hound) the horse and dog have significant differences in the squash and stretch of their bodies from the differing spinal flexibility.