MLP Animation Analysis: Walk it Off

[@VierasMarius]

Amazing tutorials! I'm no animator, but understanding a little of how it's done can help me to appreciate all the hard work that goes into the show.

[@Kabitu1]

I just realized something. The fact that I can recognize the silhouette at 0:05 is not an amazing skill on my part; its an amazing amount of work and care from the character designers. The fact that even secondary and tertiary characters gets their own distinct form, and not just a different color scheme, says a lot about their dedication.

[@Useuckaqwa.]

Who is it

[@mppppppppppppppm]

So it wasn't only me being crazy or so when I noticed there was something funky with the usual run cycle.

[@kimikoazuma]

"LESS PIECES!" "LESS COLORS!" [insert applejack hair] "I'M LAZY!"

[@crackity]

The time you put into these, and the clear fact that you enjoy what you do, is actually quite inspiring. As a supervising animator, whenever we get a new animator at the studio I like to reference these videos and certain MLP scenes to demonstrate how to better their animation. Thanks for the videos!

[@gbeaudette]

With the sliding versions of the cycles you simply animate the symbol itself sliding across the stage while the cycles plays inside the symbol.

[@weylin6]

You have a good tutorial voice and have a great sense of how to make a video that's fun to watch. Interjecting with humor and playing subtle yet fitting background music helps keep the viewers attention and allows them to become more absorbed into the video.

[@gbeaudette]

That's part of the planning process. Once voices are recorded and storyboards are drawn you can start cutting it together and time things out.

[@MoeJaeAtelier]

I written short stories, created characters and illustrated them since I was a kid but never animated anything in my life. The schools specializing in animation were way out of my budget. When I heard how mlp was created through the same program I use for graphics, I desperately searched trying to learn anything I could. Then I stumbled onto your channel. Your visual tutorials helped me understand everything clearly. Thank you Grant Beaudette for your tutorials and keep up the good work!

[@jjkmovies]

I've been using the same version of Flash for 8 years, and it still does exactly what I need it to do, so I never had a need to buy a newer version. I know the newer versions can do so much more, but it's not enough to make me want to spend $500 on something I pretty much already have.

[@minecraftmadison462]

16 now

[@yuuhemi]

8 years have passed, do you still use the same version of Flash?

[@implicitbookcarrier2159]

VERY good video as always. I wish I woulda saw this before I spent all that time trying to remake a walk cycle for ponys.

[@JenRay101]

You have no idea how long I've been waiting for a walk, trot and run sequence!!! Thank you!!

[@supereece9000]

i can never comprehend what it is you're saying, but i still love your stuff, it puts how much work the animators of mlp into perspective for someone like me.

[@TheCatKng]

Uhmpf.. You really don't understand how much i appreciate this. I am going to school for animation in Vancouver, and the MLP walk cycle has had me in love since i first saw it. This just makes everything better :'3

[@pineapplepie52]

gosh I had NO IDEA how much tedium and effort is involved with animation! I find your videos really interesting, being a pony fan and an animation noob. thank you for posting!

[@Zullala]

WOW, people are so nice letting us use their stuff. Thanks a bunch for the tutorial and all the teaching tools! Also thanks Drud 14 for collecting all that stuff and sharing it ^---^! I'm rather excited.

[@Fullyishing]

I'm glad to see you (gbeaudette) are still making these videos, I was worried you had stopped making them. I'm an aspiring animation student and I always look forward to these videos.

[@AlphaPony92]

It's took so many time to find "tutor flash pony" and i'm find this, totaly worth it. Thanks for that video. To analase by myself should have took lot of time.

[@EcchiSamurai]

Thats pretty sad because your a very well animator and your videos have actually inspired me and my friends to make a huge mlp project that is still in progress, we're looking for different versions of walk cycles such as 3Q walk cycle and front view walk cycles

[@ocarinaplaya]

I bow to you, good sir.

[@TheKingdomofErnor]

I get ultra pumped up when I see a new animation video is up.

[@Hyunkel33]

Still as awesome as ever, even for me who has never touched anything related to animation whatsoever. Thank you!

[@Weaverdrone]

I'm not an animator, but I still find this series very intresting. It's fun to see how the animation actually works. Keep up the good job!

[@xXSpellcasterXx]

These aren't just useful and professional, they're hilarious. I'm taking a class very demanding in flash right now...these are perfect references, thank you!!

[@graceserenity8348]

These are great references for 3D animators too.

[@arainbowsourpatchkid1368]

2:43 Does anyone else think rainbow dash sounds a tad bit funny?

[@minecraftmadison462]

Not me

[@hyalophora]

Nope

[@shockwave122]

I just got a Muybridge book, and was using that as a reference, but the walk cycles in the show are totally different, this video helped a lot.

[@Bownimations01]

Thank you for this ^^ I really wanted a good tutorial so I can start animating myself. Never animated ponies, and you'd be surprised how little references there is for the faster cycles, especially the trotting stage. And the ones I do find don't really break it down, so I really appreciate this ^^

[@gamingwithkellyminecraft81]

sorry Twilight Dash say she can't get a conuter next year. And she get a Mi Tablet.

[@Bownimations01]

Cute_Girl_ Kelly Gaming I'm a little confused ^^' I was just thanking the maker of the video for posting it...

[@thejazbeetwins3158]

What app are you using? do you have to download the game? and is the pony pack free or money?

[@SparkleBrush]

its not an app, its a program called flash animation, through which my little pony was created. the packs contain files of the cycles and other funstuff

[@Myoron]

Aww, you didn't mention about the far legs moving so much more than the near legs in the walking animation. I was wondering if that was like a thing.

[@sheenufilms]

Well, how do I draw it for a custom pony? (for example)

[@imatabar]

I'm going to try and learn Flash this summer, once exams are done. Your videos are going to help me out so, soo much. Thank you. Subbed 4ever.

[@merlinanimations3879]

oh grant, I just love the way you make your videos, its really helpful ^-^

[@bananabelledale9788]

Man! Um- I mean, colt! This is extremely handy on my part, for such an old video. 😊 thanks 🙏

[@Lilithe]

These asset packs are a godsend. I've been asked to help with an animation project over the summer and they'll help me greatly. :D

[@Scyrina]

Does somebody know how I can use that puppets in flash

[@minecraftmadison462]

I don’t

[@Scyrina]

@@minecraftmadison462 thanks! Waited 6 years for that useful answer xD

[@minecraftmadison462]

@@Scyrina Lol?

[@ScreenedPlum]

I'd never noticed the weird way that guard walks before you pointed it out. Now I can't stop noticing it. Goddamnit

[@gbeaudette]

That's absolutely an option. I largely split it up this way for clarity, but depending on the animation it's nice to keep things this way so that you can change just a leg pose without keying the whole figure.

[@Rubberman202]

I love the walking animation of these ponies. They're just so cute!

[@TheZeotrix]

Wow the quality of your videos are amazing, you have a new subscriber.

[@jjkmovies]

I've been animating with Flash since 2004, and I have the 2004 version of Flash. I am unable to use the Flash 8 files. If you exported all of the Flash files into an SWF file, and set them as Flash Player 7 and Action Script 2.0, then I would be able to import the SWF files into Flash and use them. I make pony versions of popular movies, and this would greatly help me out.

[@IFireseekerI]

I'm no animator, but I love these in-depth analysis videos all the same ^_^

[@cyborg98]

So glad I've subscribed to this channel, these videos are so interesting.

[@gbeaudette]

I wouldn't hold my breath of this one. I don't even have a version of Flash with those tools available to me.

[@NobleMarcos]

Noticing how their legs curve with each step made them seem the most marshmallowiest ever.

[@sofusser]

I've been hoping for this tutorial forever! Thank you!!:D

[@gbeaudette]

Depending on how things are set up you could use motion tweens. In this case they're just posed out like the other frames.They just need to bridge the motion between the other frames.

[@gbeaudette]

Whenever I'm mentioning "inbetweens" they're basically frames where everything is halfway between the frame on either side of it. It doesn't alter the motion, just smooths it out.

[@gbeaudette]

It's all in Adobe Flash. As for acquiring it, you're on your own. I've enjoyed Adobe's Creative Cloud subscription so far.

[@CsPPP237]

(limits) Videos are awesome; you're the first user I have subscribed to. Keep it up.

[@krmiistudios2479]

What about the equine walking running and galloping sound effects.

[@colonist067]

The song is called "Punching Holes in the Sky (Rainbow Dash's Theme)" by SherclopPones (the "Friendship is Witchcraft" guys).

[@gbeaudette]

The resource kit linked in the description is the closest thing to show assets you can get. They are show assets, but the organization is all shot.

[@gbeaudette]

These were actually taken from the Resource kit, but I usually get things as close as I can with Shape tweens before making minor adjusts frame by frame.

[@NazFXStudios]

The 'run' is in fact a canter, as horses have 4 gaits. it is only in the gallop (fastest) that all 4 legs are off the ground with traditional horses.

[@gbeaudette]

Flash's Find and Replace feature works on colors. It can change everything in couple clicks. The advanced color you'll have to hit the old fashioned way. I'm still trying to find and/or build and extension to make that easier.

[@idontlikeyouyo]

He did. In one of his videos he says he has used the same mouth movement technique on every single animation class he took.

[@rederci939]

"Unless you're this guy..." FINALLY someone else notices that. My OCD just kept bugging me about it when I noticed and it seemed like I was the only one who saw that.

[@gbeaudette]

Modify>Shape>Convert Lines to Fills. I suggest setting a hot key for it, since it's a pretty useful action.

[@mumafiedmustangs]

"Mmmmm gbeaudette hasn't made a video in a while i think it would be cool if he made a walking video" *checks yotube* YES!!!! Always great videos, I feel like they really help.

[@gbeaudette]

Be sure to post it on the MLP subreddit when it's done. I'd love to see it.

[@StarlightLancer01]

Hi, bro! I'm not sure if you're still around on YT after 10 years but do you know where I can find some animation puppets/kits for the Mane 6 and other prominent characters? I wish to learn how to animate ponies but it's 2023 and I don't think many people share these resources anymore.

[@gbeaudette]

The best way is to have the same number of points for both keys if you can. Shape Hints also help.

[@Savaniel]

Wonderful! Okay, last question. :) The flash resource kit along and your mouths have been great tools for building the characters. Are there any other kits that perhaps feature a front-facing character along with ponies at other angles? Or any that contain male ponies as well? Thank you so much for your help! You have provided a remarkable base for Flash and tons of helpful tips that I could not have had otherwise. You have been inspirational to say the least and introduced me to a new hobby!

[@AmyMist]

This is really useful! I'm participating My Little Game Jam, and I was getting hung up on overworld spites.

[@gbeaudette]

You can alter the color of symbols in properties panel. There you can use the Advanced color setting to set or remove the shadow color.

[@XISMN]

What we still need to get done in no particular order : -official ripped assets with a proper naming convention. -no duplicated symbols, and symbols properly swapped in all pony rigs. -proper asset child/sub directories. -clean up the 360fluttershy movieclip, make generic pony rig which can be tinted for creating other ponies. -walk/skip/hop/run/idle cycles for all standard degrees of rotation. -smart pony rig, where facial expressions and mouth positions can easily be adjusted for lip syncing.

[@blackattack1840]

You are amazing sir. Please. Do humanity a favor and keep making these for the animators of tomorrow.

[@gbeaudette]

I'd take a close look at the stuff in the resource kit. These characters are some of the most intricately broken down flash models I've ever seen, but if you see how they go together drawing out a new leg or neck or whatever isn't that difficult.

[@birdygames131]

how do you open the resource kit

[@Rubberman202]

Also, Applejack's running animation doesn't have freckles. I'm glad you included them in your example.

[@gbeaudette]

You can check in the Library by looking in the Type column and change it by right-clicking and changing the type. Also if you have any copies on the stage there's a type selector in the properties panel. I'd check both, because changing one doesn't change the other.

[@7SHV7]

As always your work makes me appreciate more the thought and effort that goes with the show's animation. It's very interesting to learn that the show has a unique gallop animation. I wish I knew Something feels a bit amiss with your AJ proper gallop animation. It feels like the original's (Rarity's) gallop is more "expressive", specifically the front legs movement. But maybe I'm just imagining because AJ's just moving too fast or maybe I'm too used to the show's original gallop animation.

[@AriochStarr]

I love this video. I'm no editor/creator, but I love watching this video from time to time. Though I'm not entirely sure why anymore. I know I first saw this video because I wanted to know how ponies walk, but since then I now have no clue. Maybe it's the voice actor? This Grant guy has a really nice voice to listen to, he'd be able to trance me into a sleep. I mean that in no offensive way, I just mean it's a nice voice to listen to. And I'm surprised this video has so few views. I honestly thought it would have a higher view count, considering all the information you give in one video. Though I suppose the almost-3K likes make up for it. But then again 150K views isn't bad, either. But yeah, I love this video. It's nice to watch every now and then. When I'm World Leader I'll keep you mind Grant. Your death will be quick and painless. xD But seriously, love ya

[@AriochStarr]

You know, I clicked on this video to see how the Ponies walked ('cause like everyone else, I was mostly curious), but when I heard it was one of those "how to" videos, I though /UGH, this is gonna be painful/, but actually, it was really good to watch, and I'm a bit ashamed for thinking it. Your voice as well is a nice voice to listen to. And the humour in it isn't too much, it's just about right. Unfortunately, I have next to no skill of... what is it, Flash? Animation. But yeah, you told me what I wanted to know and you made it entertaining, so I thank you for that. Also, just thought I'd thank you for using Applejack as well (one of my more favourable characters) =)

[@gbeaudette]

Any tapered lines you see have been converted to fills so they can be altered.

[@wtfaflyingnyancat]

your aj run ACTUALLY HAS FRECKLES!!!! I applaud you, not even Studio B did that.

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

You are a life saver. Thanks to you, I would be able to finish my super awesome epic drawing!

[@gbeaudette]

All those lines are converted to fills so that they're shapes. Then you can trim off the ends.

[@dmctinytank5862]

1:44 y is this funny to me? LOL LMAO FOR WALKING ANIMATION

[@LostVioletLotus]

"Well, unless you're this guy." And cue the laughter. I feel a tad bit sad I don't pick up on these things until they're poked at by others.

[@Grue3]

I tuned out when FiW Rainbow Dash theme started, because it's too awesome.

[@BrevityBrony]

things that gbeaudette likes: Applejack, things that are snappy, puns, ... also couldn't help but notice the "proper gallop" looks a lot like pinkie pie hopping.

[@whateveraj4496]

This helped so much with my pony animations!! Thank again!! Liked!

[@alexchisholm471]

SHAPE HINTS! *shakes fist* those just saved my life, thank you so much.

[@Myoron]

Years later and I still laughed at the "I'm lazy"

[@jjkmovies]

I've done it before. The symbols won't be named, and everything will be on only one layer. However, I would still be able to see all of the graphics, and see the animation. I'm completely fine with that, because I can still reverse-engineer it, and it can serve as a guide for future animation.

[@Kyderra]

Brilliant breakdown once again! enjoyed it a lot.

[@Absolutego98]

what a keen eye observation.You just got yourself a subscriber

[@idontlikeyouyo]

1:42, I fell off my chair and spilled my drink. Thanks for that.

[@restorasenrisei9991]

Yeah, I have played it. There's a bunch of things like it that use pony sprites. Thank you for your support.

[@gbeaudette]

I don't know a lot about the bone tool, but it seems better for using one setup a bunch rather than switching out pieces all the time.

[@Jxuptosae]

OMG... you need to continue this. Your videos are awesome.

[@FriggenSilver]

Thanks so much for making these! This is really helping me with my animation :)

[@gbeaudette]

I just took those from the resource kit, so i can't say for absolute, but I would assume they were drawn frame by the frame. Although one could use shape tweens or bones to help shape thing and then bake it out to regular artwork.

[@sophietheriolu]

That's because the template that the Animators use was mistakenly made without the freckles, as with a few other Applejack templates. Since they have every walk, run, etc. in their own symbol, the Animators merely place them on the background, thus why there were so many Applejack freckle screwups in "My Little Bloopers: Mistakes are Forever". The creators of said compilation know about the template mistake, but they put in all the scenes in which they appear just for laughs.

[@Doughboy123x]

Walk cycles are always a pain to me. I'll definitely give this a shot.

[@Alumx]

YEAHHH PONY ANALYSIS! WHWWAHWOAHO *thank you for that dose of dopamine in my brain*

[@gbeaudette]

I tried to keep it simple by avoiding comps and just separating it into a few layers. Most of these cycles need frame-by-frame animation and can't be done with motion tweens anyway.

[@FoxxehSquirrel]

Favoriting this video because of the guard. That is amazing.

[@gbeaudette]

It's in one of the Friendship is Witchcraft song compilations.

[@Closingrain]

i need help i downloaded the my little pony resource kit . i want to copy a walk cycle on apple jack and put it on cheerlee but i cant copy it when i do it copy's the apple jack puppet and all i want is the action not the puppet .please help :(