A simple procedural animation technique

[@argonautcode]

Wow, this video really blew up! Thank you for watching! :) I want to answer some frequent questions from the comments: *How did you make this video?* • All of the visuals were created in Processing! *Can you do this in ?* • Yes, absolutely! This can be done with anything that lets you render stuff to the screen. • Most engines even have robust rigging systems if you want to skip the math :) *Where can I learn more?* • I haven't been able to find any well-compiled sources on procedural animation, which is why I only covered the absolute basics here. • However, if you're interested in learning how programming can intersect with natural sciences, I really, really like The Nature of Code by Daniel Shiffman. *This isn't realistic.* • Yes, you're right. This is a simple model that abstracts away real-world complexities. • However, I hope that you can use these techniques as a starting point to build cool things! • And I did get a lot of great feedback and ideas for how to improve the animation, I’ll definitely try them out! :)

[@arafays]

it has just started.....

[@bobsmithy3103]

Fantastic video btw! I'd love if you made more of these videos. Your step-by-step explanations make it extremely easy to understand and your visuals are super nice

[@OdysseyHome-Gaming]

@@argonautcode Never heard of processing before. Looks really cool. Love open source software.

[@Colonies_Dev]

u can also use rotation matrix to find 90deg vectors, it can also be done by (x,y) => (-y,x) because thats kind of the result of a kind of ""identity"" rotation matrix, i saw this on sebastian lague first where he just flip the vector components and negate one of them

[@PossiblePasts]

What if you restricted legs in a way, that there's always only 2 moving? Would it work and look better?

[@joesmith5970]

This is exactly how programming concepts should be presented. Visuals, step by step explanations, and the math behind it. Every layer is here to pick apart at any viewer's personal learning pace. No over the top jokes or distracting edits, either. A real gem. Thanks for making this.

[@pookiepats]

No this is not learning it is entertaining and that’s fine but no serious discussion can be had that this is how budding devs should learn

[@Lucid3DCJ]

@@pookiepats I respectfully disagree. I believe that a budding developer would benefit more from being given the general ideas behind the programming, rather than every variable and line being spoon-fed to them, for two reasons: 1) A developer is actively encouraged to experiment with how to achieve this, introducing them to methods and functions that they will likely not encounter given the 'correct' answer outright - read: "a developer's sandbox is the best place to learn." 2) Without the constraint of a line-by-line tutorial, the general concepts outlined in this video can be achieved using almost any programming language or engine - you know what you're aiming to achieve and the steps that get you there, not how, so you can discover the how yourself, relative to what you need. Both of these points lend themselves to learning the idea of procedural animation, and whichever programming language they intend to replicate that idea in; rather than starting from a fully-functioning piece of code written in a particular language and dissecting it in order to understand it (and potentially translate it).

[@diamond8467]

@@pookiepats what? :D I mean this is not beginner level topic, so I can see how it is just entertaining for you. But it is complete pseudo code explanation that can be implemented in any graphic framework just with this one video. It is represented in a simple way without forgetting math behind it. Simple procedural animations are not something you would need to seriously discuss, so I am a bit confused what you meant by that.

[@joesmith5970]

@@pookiepats I disagree. I learned something. Perhaps you need a different method of teaching? Nothing wrong with that, but this is right up my alley and helped me visualize that which long-form text explanations cannot. To each their own! Hope you find something that works better for you.

[@obleynix8026]

@@pookiepats i agree with @diamond8467 , these kinds of videos usually teach the concept behind a feature it expects you to already have learned how to code. It makes teaching the concept faster, simpler and easier to implement globally.

[@lgasc]

You could enhance the lizard animation by only allowing a leg to move if the three others are still. It will naturally make a cycle and this cycle will automatically reorder on tight turns. Or, for a faster walk cycle, only check the matching leg on the other side and the matching leg in front or behind.

[@jenkem4464]

That's the beauty of procedural workflows. You can always go in after the fact and add or tweak additional parameters pretty quickly and get a change across the project. Great for non destructive work. The more work you do in procedural workflows you start seeing all these patterns and concepts in nature. Really cool stuff.

[@sneezingProtogen]

Procedurally animated lizards… sound familiar RAIN WORLD

[@kurushimee]

Damn, feels like watching Sebastian Lague's coding adventures!

[@davidheeren3751]

For real. It’s the exact same vibes especially with the music

[@lucasxia2232]

That was my exact thought

[@victordayet]

That is exactly what i felt watching this!

[@sid98geek]

Ahh. A man of culture, I see.

[@ricokd507]

Bingo

[@CrabGuyy]

What is this super high quality video from a channel with way too little subscribers for its content? the algorithm strikes again with an hidden gem

[@flavioryu5922]

For real

[@necro-claud6370]

It does it a lot recently

[@sensorycircuits1338]

The Algo seems to reward stepping outside of your usual rabbit holes.

[@flavioryu5922]

@@sensorycircuits1338 algo is a cute name

[@jarnhus]

Oh dear! You just opened up a rabbit hole beneath my feet. Now I have to implement this myself. Exquisite video.

[@chocolatezt]

I'm glad I'm not the only one always implementing the things I see in videos. Hope you an least not do it like me in plain C++/OpenGL

[@codycero1]

I've been playing with the code. I made a base class that all creatures inherit from and I made it so you can override a function to set up your own body widths and another for overriding the legs. Managed to make an ant with 6 legs. Also, I made it so the angular constraints use a rotation lerp, because the creatures otherwise had a tendency to spaz out. And I made a click & drag path drawing feature. When a path is drawn, the creatures will move along that path in a loop, when you single click, the path clears and they follow your mouse again.

[@argonautcode]

Sounds awesome, glad you were able to build on this!

[@michaellembck]

Would you mind sharing your code? I'd love to see it and play with it!

[@Netherdan]

You can create different walking animations by synchronizing sets of legs to always update its movement with each other. If you want a lizard you can sync top-right with bottom-left and vice versa. If you want an ant you can sync top-right, middle-left, bottom-right, and vice versa. A centipede can have all left legs in sync with all right legs. Quadrupedal mammals would be more difficult as you'd have to manage different movement styles for different speeds

[@jirehla-ab1671]

Have u also used cavalry for this too?​@@argonautcode

[@LabGecko]

Github?

[@galvinvoltag]

Thousands of years of technological and mathematical evolution. We are just scratching the surface of the art of teaching. Very well produced video, respect.

[@niewiemcotuwpisacisioa5317]

this has nothing do to with teaching bro

[@andermium]

​@@niewiemcotuwpisacisioa5317 just because you didn't learn anything doesn't mean this video didn't teach others

[@niewiemcotuwpisacisioa5317]

@@andermium bro what ☠️☠️

[@4epbrk_6rk_6rk]

In some places, the lizard began to "jumping". Her legs moved at the same time, which created a similar impression. To correct such cases, you can block the opposing legs, forcibly prohibiting them from moving until a pair of other legs finish moving and "touch the ground". Then the locked pair can be unlocked and the other one can be blocked.

[@felix30471]

This video is gorgeous and very well-produced! Also, I absolutely adore the lizard.

[@faik...]

I know I am late, but alternating the steps of the lizard would make it look a lot better.

[@Bashar3A]

I'm not an animator nor an artist. Not sure why I watched it, but I'm glad I did. Love understanding what goes into these animations

[@BlueCardinal33]

Nicely articulated. The video is not good because it's presenting a new idea; it's good because it presents an idea well and in one cohesive piece.

[@georgiosdoumas2446]

The way you say it, it can easily be misunderstood. I think it will be more accurate to say : The video is good not because it's presenting a new idea (since there is no new idea presented actually) ; it's good because it presents an idea well, and in one cohesive piece.

[@tiqosc1809]

Me using the power in my body to not mention rainworld

[@BARCINO-du4dg]

IKR

[@julienelghadghadi2599]

lol, right

[@lobax756]

Real.

[@undefined_sadhu]

i just did

[@fres621]

this is why I'm watching

[@lorenzobuero7115]

This video is impresive, is just simple math and geometry not a single line of code, but you are able to understand how it works and think how to code it. Maybe the best coding/algoritmic tutorial i have ever seen tbh

[@dexlovesgames_dlg]

The animation you’ve got playing in the intro of the video was like a neat little visual explainer before you actually got into the top so once you actually started getting into it, I felt like I already understood without any further clarification. So thanks for that! Excellent work!

[@weezard1235]

The best explanation video i saw about procedural animations (and inverse kinematics)! The visualization makes it so clear and understandable, great video!!

[@DillonBoucherDesigns]

I watch very few videos that give me those “ah hah!” or “lightbulb” moments. This was one of them!

[@rainbowlemon]

I've seen the phrase 'inverse kinematics ' so many times for setting up bones on 3d models and never actually really understood what it meant. This was an awesome explanation, thank you!

[@MAXOHNO]

Production of this video was really good, suprised you are a relatively small channel, good luck growing!!

[@LabGecko]

This feels like a master's thesis in comp sci animation

[@memesalldayjack3267]

this is a very good explanation on how it works, i kinda wanna try it out now, but ik it'll take me a long time before I finally start

[@theangry0077]

this is the first time ive been so stunned by the quality of a video and its conversely low view count. amazing explanation and stunning results, bravo!

[@craftminerCZ]

Rarely do I ever come across a video where I could just watch it once and be able to program whatever was shown. It might be a concept constraint of the videos I tend to watch, but this one is just that. Heck I'm even tempted to just spend a few hours making this for no reason at all, it looks fun to make and fun to play with.

[@dr.angerous]

Tak určitě

[@HayCorvus]

would be great to see these procedurally animated animals be incorporated in herd/flock algorithms to show the true power of such simple components used in larger complex systems.

[@tardigrademicro]

You should check out Rain World, it's a survival game contained in an ecosystem of procedurally animated ai creatures.

[@mohegyux4072]

the algorithm showed me a gem. efficient problem solving is always entertaining and mind-blowing

[@this-cris]

amazing presentation! Inspiring! small pet peeve at 4:44 the fins rotation should be inverted - outer fin has to be close to the body and inner fin should be extended (more realistic movement in water)

[@2718281828459045236]

So the inner fin brakes the fish to help it turn? Or how does that work? Or the outer body side stretching makes the fin lie flatter? Asking because I want these fish in the game I'm writing :-)

[@brucemozart3665]

I'm so glad the all mighty algorithm brought me this gem, featuring algorithms

[@uselessgamedev]

Amazing video. The editing is awesome the information is clearly presented, pace and density are great. Stellar, keep it up!

[@johnbeverly9723]

Your explanation is amazing and allows for a comprehensive guide without taking away learning experience through hand-holding. Will def use this for a self education project.

[@ViktorSarge]

Concise, clear and beautiful video. What more could one ask.

[@razmakaz8736]

I really liked this. Thank you for taking us on your journey. An idea for an improvement for quadraped animals like your lizard, if the a front left foot would update its target, force the opposite back right foot to also update to a new position regardless of the distance threshold. Apply that to all 4 legs and you'll have a less derpy lizard because it'll be a 2-step trot-like gait like most quadrapeds.

[@HenrikBgelundLavstsen]

What a great way of explaining this. Animations looks dope for what they are. Makes me wanna try code some of this.

[@TinyTakinTeller]

Why isn't this video at a million views - perfect narration, presentation & visuals!

[@shanesawyer3391]

This is awesome. I’ve long been interested in learning to use IK and just couldn’t find a clear, easy to understand starting point. This video explains the concept, demonstrates it, shows the math, and then also shows the animation of a successful implementation 🎉 My only follow up is to keep an eye out for more videos to follow. I am also interested in simulated biology, and AI driven sandbox environments - so this was about as exact as could be.

[@sankettilekar8650]

I don't do animation or any graphics work. But i have learnt forward and inverse kinematics. The application and the explanation for animation was mind blowing. Loved the video.

[@Sting-me1hz]

Everything about this video is so smooth and pleasing. From the procedural animation to the editing to your voice.

[@DaichiVfx]

What a beautiful video! From visualization to explanation, absolutely amazing.

[@MrRizzyWizzy]

My cats LOVE this video. Especially the fish.

[@marceloguzman646]

that animation is so smooth

[@lucasassis5780]

Nem tenho comentários sobre, o vídeo é incrível, calmo, com animações suaves, conceitos explicados com qualidade. Estou comentando apenas para que o KZbin recomende para mais pessoas. Esse vídeo e canal merecem

[@nameno7032]

the world need more of this

[@fidel_soto]

This is one of the best videos I have seen IN MY LIFE period

[@eugenewarr4313]

5 sec preview and the first sentence was enough to sub

[@Zilberlex]

I personally thank you for making this video. I was interested in procedural animation for quite some time now. Even though i will probably won't find the time to play with it any time soon, this video will give me a head start once I feel like I want to scratch that development itch. I am sure that sometimes you might question your impact as a small channel. But take to heart that some topics are inherently interesting and a lot of people wonder "how is it made", and you delivered a very good introduction to the topic that allows people to start doing cool things by themselves. - I thank you for it

[@ZlataPonirovskaya]

It's absolutely brilliant. Thank you!

[@laptop12358]

I am grateful to the creator for providing such a nice and visually awesome video for learners.

[@zix2421]

It looks so cool, I’ll save this. Very useful

[@CarlosOsório-v4l]

Im officially a nerd, i really enjoyed this explanation, id heard the term procedural animation, but never got to know exactly what it was, now i do, thanks a lot

[@konvay_vardogr]

Found the video to learn about animations, was very surprised to also get the most elegant explanation of inverse kinematics! The simple explanation of forward kinematics really helps understand inverse kinematics. Thank you!

[@johnnysvensson]

This was really cool, thanks for making it. I'll store this somewhere in my gray mush for future reference :)

[@bruvno]

this is pure gold.... thank you

[@AerialWaviator]

Fantastic overview of procedural animations with great explanations and accompanying visuals. I really appreciated how pleasing animations can be created using simple concepts. Thanks for including Github link to code examples. A great complement to this video tutorial.

[@JJ-ds2get-her]

Deserves 100x more views.

[@kennethbeal]

Thank you! Right at the beginning: love it! You're showing how the Flower of Life is drawn -- choose a point, make a circle with a compass, and then put the compass point on the edge of the circle. I love when concepts align. :)

[@kristine5582]

What an incredibly clear and well-explained video! I wish more people teach like you. Hope you keep making more!

[@TheStickofWar]

This is a masterclass in explaining complex topics in a simple and visually appealing way. Well done, I know these things well but I am in awe of the production quality and simple breakdown.

[@TheBouli]

Beautiful video! I'm making some trippy visuals kind of simulations, these techniques are definitely gonna get implemented. Thank you!

[@NickCombs]

I'm going to try this. Thanks for the great explainer!

[@richardericlope3341]

Fantastic algorithm! Nice visuals as well. Beats the crap out of both algorithms I used for my version on Ikaruga Lasers and one boss with tantacles using IK. Mine was just to make and array of vectors, follow though using a 1 element shift for all elements, extract left and right normals and extend by scaling normals to desired width. Arm IK is just a bunch of matrix transforms. This video makes me want to go back to gamedev after like 8 years.

[@violet_broregarde]

These animations are so cute, and the video is so compact. Can't wait to try these out. Thank you :D

[@SahilKashyap64]

Subscribed. I hate maths but the way it is showed here how it is used made me wanna learn more about it. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@flavioryu5922]

This was so interesting and cute at the same time

[@MaemiNoYume]

this is so incredibly helpful. I'm so grateful for the fact that there are so many creators like you who gives so much helpful information and knowledge for us for free. I'll make sure to credit this video on my next game, because I'll be using these techniques for sure

[@jupiter909]

Fantastic walk through of these techniques. Thank you for the lovely presentation!

[@Chyrionia]

Wow. I've looked into IK implementations before, but most of them are incredibly technical mumbo-jumbo and has just left me feeling dumb. This, though, was fantastic! The explanations of everything in the video are so understandable and the visuals are simple, yet beautiful and convey the ideas so so well. I finally understand! Thank you for an excellent video.

[@biner01]

thanks! been wanting to do this, but never knew it was a field.

[@IceForgeOfficial]

This is beautifully made

[@hawthornrabbit]

This was excellent! Thank you for giving such straightforward explanations of what otherwise looks like magic :)

[@zpinacz]

great video and great looking results! thank you for sharing :)

[@les.enfants.d.internet]

best video on the subject I've seen, everyone acts like it's magic or hyper complex math but it's actually pretty simple when well explained 🙂‍↕️💆🏻‍♂️

[@cybercat7711]

I've been trying to learn procedural animation for a while and the lack of good content on YT, explaining the topic, has been a limiting factor for me. This video is very comprehensive and simple and has helped me understand the fundamentals much better. I hope you'll make more videos on this topic soon, explaining the concept in more depth. You gained a new sub!

[@JoJoAcrylicArtwork]

Beautiful and elegant concept! Thank you for sharing your work ❤

[@arjuntt2604]

this is awesome, I really liked this, U should definitely continue doing this series,

[@Liam-fd4uh]

This was seriously such an amazing video! You explained it so clearly that I felt like I had to try it myself. 3 days later and I am proud to say I now have my own procedural snake and gecko!

[@shiftyjesusfish]

i LOVE this, thank you for sharing your work

[@soupnoodles]

Holy shit. This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. This channel needs more love!

[@shampoable]

1:30 mind blowing how simple yet powerful this is

[@TATGames]

Yo!...this is the best procedural animation tutorial I've ever watched🤩!

[@bluyu]

These animals are procedurally very cute.

[@ryeclarke383]

This is amazing! Please do more! 🎉❤

[@NElectronicSoul]

this is fu_)king delightful to watch! I'm teaching python to kids and this has given me so many ideas for some intro to pygame tutorials I cannot wait to try out! You diamond!

[@niuage]

That was excellent!

[@juangustavoloyolaferrer7024]

This is a very good video! KZbin can make really good recommendations

[@MissPiggyM976]

Simply amazing!

[@lucasdelargy]

Thanks. This is amazing

[@Affario]

this video is exactly what I wanted to watch :) lots of repect for you Mr. umm *argonaut* keep up the good work I will follow you =)

[@ralusek]

If you offset the timing interval at which the legs should snap to their step position, you'll get it so that both legs don't move a the same time, which is what's making it look derpy.

[@priyavkaneria]

thanks for coming on my feed. definitely worth the sub awesome explanation

[@mike_o7874]

Always wanted to know how to make procedural generated creatures and this is a gem of a video!

[@varshneydevansh]

Man loved this video. Immediately subbed

[@TheRealStructurer]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@rileythompson7134]

This is awesome

[@artieramirez3276]

Aghh the characters look quite cute. If this becomes a series it would be really interesting!

[@hopeakyuz]

That's useful for movement smoothness too

[@richardrothkugel8131]

Incredibly well produced and explained video. I'm going to use some of these techniques in my current game.

[@squigglesdev]

An incredible visualisation and breakdown of such an interesting topic! Did you use motion canvas for this video? If so, it was the perfect use case!

[@BlackbodyEconomics]

Excellent! I love the way you explain things. Kinematic has always been so confusing to me - especially in the 3D realm. I look forward to more of your videos :)

[@NeverEngineDev]

Great job on this video, very informative and entertaining! Was enjoying every second of it and learned quite a few things along the way!

[@krupt5995]

You earned my sub. I'm excited to see what's coming up