Animating LEGS (Walk Cycles and Weight) - Doodley

Join the Patreon! / doodley
Walk cycles are by far the most common thing animators animate, but it's not as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Let's take a look at legs themselves to truly understand walks, runs and jumps!
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Store: shop.doodley.org/
More Videos: doodley.org/
Discord: / discord
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Animation by David Oneacre
✒️ Portfolio: davidoneacre.com/
🐦 Twitter: / davidoneacre
Music by Jayfoo
www.jayfoo.com/
📼 Subscribe: bit.ly/2D0PhjX
🎵 Soundcloud: / jason-fujita
🐦 Twitter: / jasonfujita
Clip Hunting and Assistance by Melanie Tan
✒️ www.meltan.art/
🐦 Twitter: / sproutlines
Gimberly uses kamone416's toon shader, which you can find here:
kamone416.gumroad.com/l/hnddn
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Additional Music:
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, Movement I, Arranged by Kevin Macleod

[@wiggle143]

This was an awesome video and I learned so much! But I have 2 things I’d like to suggest. At 2:23 the larger animation and the stalling example aren’t the same and look very confusing since one foot is forward in one, and behind in the other. It’s just a lil confusing. And the other thing is that in the video talking about foot placement it might have helped to put a floor to help visualize the difference between non moving feet and floaty feet. Again, this is an amazing video, and these are just some thing I noticed that could be used in later examples in videos. Have a good night :)

[@doodley3d]

Thank you! I completely agree. Parts of this video were a bit rushed as I gave myself a deadline and I was a bit exhausted at the end. Going forward I'm going to try and mix shorter video production with longer ones so I can start building a "buffer." Then I can take my time in these longer videos and check errors or add things I didn't have the energy for before the video goes out for good. At some point I'd like to make a playlist of unlisted "fixed" versions of the video for educational use, so comments like this help me figure out what to add to that. Thank you again!

[@deodlow141]

I agree that it is confusing at first but I came to kinda like since it also helps to visualize the walking animation from both sides as the focused leg, (Kinda like switching your shoulder pov in a video game.) It also helps to visualize each foot pushing of the ground as the initial step which I like to think is something like a personality trait or if one was left handed instead of right, Thank you if you read this, have a good day.

[@ViMBarN]

@@doodley3d But I saw the opposite foot and leg being shown for the walk as a very effective way to show "both sides" when saying it twice + "but reversed" woulda been unnecessary.

[@JmKrokY]

Yes

[@VivaLaVida_042]

@@doodley3d sorry but uh I was just wondering, what program do you use?

[@JNSStudios2]

Guys I can’t believe walking and running from this video became so popular that they made it into a real thing

[@CalliopeTank]

😲

[@mountainman161]

Let’s gooooooooo!!!!!🎉🎉

[@kopawz4072]

fun fact about that clip of twilight princess- link is actually MISSING a frame of animation in his idle standing animation after he gains a rupee; this causes his position to shift backwards SLIGHTLY every cycle of his standing idle. this makes it so you can eventually clip through doors after several hours of waiting. this trick is used to bypass key doors for particular speed runs. great video!

[@cdscissor]

Good ol' Low% run

[@alexxxxxxis]

ah yes the low% speedrun

[@TylerTMG]

Low% is the least amount of something so basically a slowrun

[@Wertyhappy27]

speedrun is quite the word for such a long strat lol

[@cdscissor]

@@Wertyhappy27 That's because of the rules of a Low% run!

[@inkerJ]

i love shifting my weight onto my feet also known as the process of walking.

[@IsaiahIvanEyell]

I more so like to move my centre of mass forward and let my feet catch the fall, or more commonly known as “strolling”.

[@alex.g7317]

I too like my feet to break my fall as my centre of mass trails to the ground to be caught just in time!

[@bensoncheung2801]

123rd 👍

[@shycracker]

I too enjoy the process of mechanically shift my position through the use of rigid movement allowed by my joints and nerves to enact a series set of motion that allows me to go from one place to another.

[@theorangeoof926]

@@shycracker best one yet

[@mckay7965]

I swear, man, you'd be an amazing teacher. I hardly know the first thing about animation, but your content is so well done and captivating, it just grabs on in a way that other channels have a hard time with. Also, remember not to push yourself too hard.

[@shycracker]

He certainly accomplished one of his goal of making tutorial feels like Bill Nye's show, it's fun to watch

[@JmKrokY]

Fr

[@zag1797]

took the words straight from my mouth lmao. well said

[@bossbabyfunnymoments6187]

Yay! Doodley has created a new masterpiece to teach and entertain! Rejoice!!!

[@LazaLazy]

Its you! From the stream yeah!

[@shrimpaerospace]

holy shit it's boss baby funny moments!!1!1!11

[@bossbabyfunnymoments6187]

@@shrimpaerospace yes, yes it is

[@MintMaxer]

Greetings Mr Moments

[@shycracker]

Rejoice for in time this video will be part of hallmark in youtube animator corner

[@1MoreSonicRobot]

Can't wait for the "keep alive" video. Been scratching my head on how to keep my character himself when he's not doing anything. I would love to know what the secrets to idling are.

[@Stage-Fryte]

My recommendation is to play some of your favorite 3rd person video games and take notes on the idle animations. One trick I like to use if I really can't find an interesting way to make a character sit still is to just not have him be so idle. Maybe they start messing with some nearby cards, or starts eating chips. It'll take longer, but It's definitely more interesting to have multiple parts of a scene.

[@LacedInGrey]

Oh I love Gimberly's design, the hair accessory with the gimber is a great touch too

[@ToastBoastOfficial]

5:47 I like the details of gimberly getting scared when doodley pops up!

[@DzDyT1]

5:26 Dr. Livesey is proud

[@StickMations]

I really wish I had this video when I had to start my walk cycle assignment, this information is so well-made and easy to grasp! When I first got the animator's survival kit I was really confused on why there were so many pages just for walks cause It looked pretty simple in concept. Then I started taking animation classes and I realized how essential they are to learning about a character plus all the body mechanics that have to go into it to work properly. I think the best advice my professors have told me regarding mechanics is that "Humans are pretty lazy so they'll try to do most things with the least amount of action required"

[@CBusschaert]

I wish all animation courses would start with a video or section like this. A boiled-down version of what you're going to learn in more details later, that still informs you of what the broad principles are, and how to look at the rest of the course. Too many walk cycle "tutorials" just get to the poses, and almost none of them even mention how to put personality or emotion into them. Great video as always, Doodley. Thank you

[@clawcakes2]

shoutout to tutorials of any sort where they tell you why you're doing what you're doing, instead of just what to do

[@SobolWheat]

Dooley: what about when a character loses balance? Words words words words... Gimberly: wtf man

[@Weakest2huFan]

8:57 BRUH Why you trip her! THATS MEAN!

[@LucasRPDJ]

These animation lessons are the kind of lessons everyone should have, well explained with understandable and appealing visuals, I love it. Congratulations for reaching 130k 😉👍

[@purpleduck5767]

That was a great video, I don’t think I ever actually put much thought into how balance can convey mood and character

[@nimirose_]

As a starting 3D animator, this stuff is a GODSEND! Keep it up, man! :)

[@RecoridoLol]

The Dood has come back with another amazing video! Nice job man! The animation is smoother than ever before man! Nice job! Very excited for more videos to come!

[@Pars3ly]

I love how Gimberly reacts to dood's character popping up, it shows you the amount of love put into this guys work. Absolutely Amazing

[@sargentgullible2794]

Not to mention, upon rewatch, I realized Dood literally tripped Gimberly up and she looked rather pissed at him afterwards.

[@Pars3ly]

@@sargentgullible2794 when did that happen, can you give a time stamp

[@sargentgullible2794]

@@Pars3ly 8:85, pay attention to Doodly

[@RudeJackArt]

Seeing Flips dictum persevere! - well done man

[@doodley3d]

"walking is falling forward but your feet catch yourself" is straight up Flip Wisdom

[@RudeJackArt]

@@doodley3d I was literally doing the leo pointing meme all throughout 😆 - you've made an incredible animator out of yourself man, anything you wanted to figure out you went ahead and did it. bravo

[@-goldchild-1831]

Gimberly has so much sass I cant

[@simplybrandish]

Sass

[@Sprytzn_Flame]

Fr

[@MBLsidekick]

sass

[@CLAYTERRACOTTA]

FINALLY, MORE DOOOOOODLEY CONTENT 😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤

[@ShiniestWoody]

A character used for demonstrating animation rules and principles has more personality than the entirety of Velma

[@luxsolis95]

I don’t ever think I’ll ever be an animator, but these videos are still really cool to watch. It’s almost like a backstage look into how animations are created.

[@seekertosecrets]

10:44 Lazy Jason has quite the talent!

[@Pigeion]

Gimberly making me act unwise

[@ABlockyPerson]

🤨

[@dripmonke5569]

10:24 DOODLEY IS BALLIN

[@paigepolaris1799]

These videos are so amazing and educational, breaking down animation in a helpful way without being tied to any particular method, program, or 2d/3d. I'm learning 3D modeling/animation in blender and my traditional drawing/animating friends love this just as much. They're fascinating for people I know who aren't even learning or practicing animation! You're up there with people like Captain Disillusion!

[@shycracker]

Given how interconnected the animation corner of KZbin i wouldn't be surprised if Doodley knows that person

[@Crazycolors1248]

I’ve been trying to learn how to animate legs myself, but I’m very glad that this video gives some form of clarity on how it works.

[@ethaisa1239]

these videos are gonna carry me through university lol

[@hippiethehypocrite107]

You know, your character's face reminds me a lot of that one Paul Rand website design. The simple glasses with curvy mouth sparked a bulb in my head.

[@doodley3d]

I've never heard of that until now, but that's a super close comparison! I'm not a graphic designer so I wasn't familiar with Paul Rand's work before, but I can see how influential he is on the industry. I'm surprised you're the first to ever point that out to me considering how influential that designer is and how close the comparison is (people usually compare to Big Brain Academy).

[@LazaLazy]

I don’t have enough for merch but here, it’s all I got. Hope you see this, but it don’t matter.

[@doodley3d]

Hey, thanks so much!! No worries!

[@cade_1923]

@@doodley3dholy balls its doodi

[@luddydude182]

0:27 one would imagine doodley happy

[@recurser.]

This is so rare to see so informative and polished videos like you do, worth all the waits! And thank you a lot for the fanart section in the end, this is so heartwarming! ^_^

[@King_Doodles]

I realized that tutorials like this can also apply to 2D animation; not just 3D Now is one of the best times to start animation, and you play such a big role in that, so thank you

[@MarcelRblx]

2:17 🌟Cheat code enbaled🌟

[@M1styGD]

can we appreciate how much effort was put into this video trying to find appropriate fanart of gimberly

[@pawekpiasecki5297]

I gotta show this to the whole Daycare full of 1 year old children saying that its a tutorial how to walk

[@cupricwheat]

0:01 *L E G S.*

[@mu4784]

This feels like the kind of tutorial one wish they had after they learn animation and they end up making it themselves, thank you for your work ❤️

[@youtubeuniversity3638]

And now Gimberly can *Stamp On The Ground (Jump Jump Jump Jump)* !

[@ciaaie8215]

The music. The quality. The animation. The teaching. Ahhh ❤🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉

[@shycracker]

Finally someone who also noticed the great usage of music in Doodley video

[@jayfoo]

The music is aight lol

[@aswirlything5838]

@@jayfoo nah b, shit slaps. If only i could actually find it somewhere

[@jayfoo]

@@aswirlything5838 lol thanks. Doodley and I are planning a soundtrack album release. Stay tuned for that

[@angusalvarado3064]

I like how Doodley and Gimberly interact throughout the video.

[@AnnoyedSonic]

I have no interest in animation, and yet I still watch these videos over and over for just how entertaining and interesting they are to watch

[@rango_the_mango]

The effort in these videos are just **chefs kiss**

[@Shimada.]

"HONEEEY, A NEW DOODLEY VIDEO JUST DROPPED!"

[@Zaansemayo]

It’s always a good day when doodly postes

[@Nazgul100]

These videos have SUCH a nice flow to them! I dont have any expectations of ever animating anything but I still find them so very enjoyable and its still fascinating to learn all these tiny details that come together to breathe life into animation.

[@wyattloney2399]

I don't even animate but I watch anyway

[@dingusmcbingus3965]

This channel is great, keep going with this content! Adds a lot more personality to videos than just the simple ‘I show you this, blah blah blah, like and subscribe’

[@Dramorforge]

HOLY CRISPY CHICKEN CHRIST THANK YOU SO MUCH all my walk cycles have looked off this is so helpful your the best doodle dude and tell gimberly shes a great instructor

[@tomhelcon6331]

this man is the best Guy to teach about animating and hes so calm

[@elcarlos2774]

ONE MUST IMAGINE SISYPHUS HAPPY.

[@GengUpinIpin]

Once you hear how different he sounds at 8:00 and 8:08, you cant unhear it

[@Luzar300]

Your content is actually SO UNDERRATED I was entertained the whole video and even tho its just walking and i know nothing about animation, you made it look so interesting. Good work keep it up!!

[@drgabi18]

8:57 You MONSTER, you tripped GIMBERLY! You will pay

[@SwiftMist]

The timing of this is soo perfect, I’m learning how to animate as we speak! Thanks so much, @Doodley

[@ouroshift]

we creep ever closer to completing the doodley exodia

[@MelaniesPeriodCramps]

Is it just me or are animated characters THICCCCCCC

[@catswellthecat7855]

I was gonna leave the video when he finished talking about legs, but I got super hyped for the fan arts! Dog Doodley works scarily well at 10:32 lol! Great video

[@ezekielwonders4212]

These videos are so genuinely fun to watcb, Gimberly is adorable and a great character to show examples. Love these videos, can’t wait to see more.

[@alexandercuyugan6558]

This video didn't just teach me how to animate legs, but also makes me not to forget how to walk

[@Marphic_]

I just found your channel, and immediately I’m hooked! Your visual explanations using a cleverly textured rig along with your own 2Dish character are unmatched in style and charm! I’m looking forward to seeing what else you create, AWESOME STUFF!! :D

[@thedepressedturtle7445]

his style of teaching animation is very interesting.

[@StevenIsLeavin]

I literally only watch these for your welcoming voice and interesting visuals, I just try learning these things on my own to be honest. I know you make these to be a tutorial and be entertaining. I just think the way you talk about this is amazing. Keep it up!

[@BearSaidNo]

I am always so excited to see doodleys next video, even though I have no intentions of learning this stuff. He just makes it so interesting.

[@unicorn_minecrafter1816]

Time lapses: 0:00 - Intro 0:21 - Weight 1:59 - Walk 4:04 - Feet 5:09 - Personality 6:41 - Run Cycles 8:08 - Standing 9:44 - Outro I hope this is useful since there is no time lapses... (also, I'm very late😅)

[@NenaNoodles]

i did NOT expect apple and onion to get into this video

[@caesarsalad77]

Not an animator, not going to animate anything, ever, yet still watching this video because it's fascinating and fun.

[@mataschmata]

your videos are so incredibly helpful while being fun to watch, thank you I really appreciate how everything is explained in a very open and straightforward way with plenty of visual aid.

[@KissoneKinoma]

I've been doing animation for about 18 to 19 years now (mainly 3D, but now that blender can do 2D I'll be giving that a shot), self taught, same with my music, voicing, and drawings, and only now, thanks to you, I finally understand how to animate walk cycles (mainly because I was too lazy to look it up, but I saw your video recommended so I took the time). While I have been animating for a while, I was mainly animating various random stuff to hone my skills, and for some reason, walking and running was never a go to, so I never ran into that issue. Now that I have the models I need to start my own projects, this video has saved me. Many thanks for all the work you do and the help you provide in the animation community.

[@epikoof]

i am so grateful for the differing colour pants/arm bands,, they help me visualise things so much better

[@markimoo4u]

The music at 4:41 - 4:45 is Bradenburg concerto no.4 in G minor, which also happens to be in the intro of Sam O'Nella academy. Logically you can deduce that doodley is Sam O'nella animeted differently.

[@islandgrovestudios]

Fantastic video breakdown, Doodley! I'm currently working on a short film where the characters have no legs, but will definitely save this video for when the next film starts production. So much work goes into all of your videos in order to clearly articulate each point. Thank you for all that you're doing to pass on animation to others. Cheers!

[@AbstractAllen]

Only 2 videos, and you're already one of my favorite KZbinrs. This helps me a lot with my animating.

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

I personally wish I had you as an animation teacher! I discovered your content from your Choppy Animation video, and it’s really cool! Your avatar is also really appealing to help engage someone who animates & designs sprites for video games! I hope you keep it up, and you’ll make it. Thank you for your teachings. Oh and at 7:10, I’m surprised you didn’t mention Animals In Motion by Muybridge. It’s what was used over at Williams to animate the sprites in Joust.

[@Gallresius]

0:27 me and the birds

[@DanielWindows]

I had a heart attack

[@doublehuman94]

5:05 I have unlearned walking and I have already noticed this but after this video I won’t be able to walk normally ever again

[@Ihatethepaper]

Great video! I didn't knew animating legs was so more complex that it seemed, it was good to see a new video after a long trip and beach day. (Btw the quality is much bigger than normal! Good job;) )

[@R3ntrix]

You should post more often, This is a masterpiece for generations to come.

[@SolarFarer]

You just saved my crippling walk animating skills!

[@scesylightbenji1430]

Thanks for the amazing content, im glad to see regular videos again, im not really into streams so.. happy to see new regular videos appearing again :D

[@LondenTower]

tbf. even though i would still like to see a Gimbery avatar for VRChat. i actually kinda like how doodley's character model is as well. (Simple looking, but still very expressive)

[@cuby.1885]

I don't even animate or draw but, you somehow make this the most entertaining videos on yt.

[@ManTheCoolio]

Doodley, I swear you are a legend in the making! The quality and entertainment of these videos are top notch! Love what you do, it's inspires me to do what I do best! Might even start animating... Hope to see more videos in the near future!

[@karmaisback627]

AHHHH i just wanted to say this is my fist time watching one of your tutorials and i was so scared that this would be one of those ones that would bore me and i wouldn't want to learn from you but they way you explain things and how you use references and dont patronize the viewer for not knowing its AHHHH amazing!!! I cant wait to watch more. The main reason i do art is bceause i want to express my joy for all the things that make me happy and when i can learn in a nice environment with people who are passionate and dont hide there love for there craft makes this even better. This is all to say i screamed when i saw you use a trigun stampede scene as a example it made my adhd brain so happy!!! Thank you so much for doing what you do (sorry this was long (thats what she said))

[@kaden7466]

Even though I dont animate or draw, your videos helps explain how people feel are connected to how they act (animated). Your animations really show that!❤

[@SteamedHams5]

Bro walks like a cartoon character 💀

[@moudura2448]

I sure wonder why

[@rockinrootbeer1795]

What an amazing video! It's so informative and entertaining at the same time. In a different video, you mentioned wanting to have a "Bill Nye" vibe, and I think you succeed in that. There were times I'd watch beginner walk cycle animation that would look "off" but not know why, but now I think I have a better understanding because of this video. The "figure 8" analogy definitely helped with forming a better visual understanding on what can make for more dynamic and natural movement. Gimberly's small reactions to some of the actions you have her do also gives the video some extra life and personality to it that helps it stand out from other tutorials.

[@Mogly.]

hi doodley great video I love that ever video you are like a teacher and a very calm one and each time I watch your videos a felling of calm nees washes over me and I hope you have a good day or night

[@Xelaria]

This made me realize that I *Don’t* move my arms when I walk

[@Maxler5795]

I remember hearing about the animators survival kit. Noodle, the guy who brought it up on a video, called it "the animators bible"

[@AquaticNebula]

I don't even animate but this is peak KZbin tutorial

[@nania4718]

THIS VIDEO IS GOING TO HELP ME A-LOT WHEN I DRAW MY CHARACTERS OMGGGGGGGG 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Fikule]

I do love this content. Made a model a while ago and started animating. Kinda left her for now, but considering starting over soon and this is really making me want to.

[@loveyourself-Hannah]

if you are animating a character who can levitate, and their holding something heavy while levitating, I personally, and I'm not a 3D animator, would recommend making them slowly move down to communicate the objects weight and then once every few seconds, little burst up!

[@MizzMizzy]

Yipee!! I love this one it's really helpful and easy to understand! Also super happy my fanart got in there thank you doodley!! :D

[@krow1551]

Thanks for this video I think it's gonna help me a lot in the future. Oh by the way I really enjoy when you drop sources to other media people can use to learn that helps just as much as your great tutorials.

[@oktopusval]

Since I started animating, EVERY movement I make, in real life, I imagine how hard it would be in 3D, I mean, I see how leaves fall from a three and land on the floor, for me in SFM, it would be a headache. So basically I live a constant headache lol, also, I love your videos! Keep like that!

[@novygaming5713]

Mom, can we delay Grandma's funeral for a bit? A new doodley video came out.