POV-Ray : Newsgroups : povray.binaries.animations : Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB) Server Time
19 Jul 2024 15:18:23 EDT (-0400)
  Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB) (Message 1 to 7 of 7)  
From:
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 17 Nov 2002 10:14:49
Message: <3dd7b269@news.povray.org>
I think the walking algorithm is getting pretty good! The model is kinda
funny :D

Keep up with the good work,

Fernando.



news:3dd7adb6@news.povray.org...
> Thanks to Rune's inspiration and encouragement, I'm at the next stage.
>
> I supply the path in the form of a spline object.
> One macro determines where the feet will fall.
> Another macro creates spline objects for the feet position and
orientation.
> The next macro positions the legs to keep the feet following their
respective spline
> paths.
>
> I then added some rotation to the hips, torso and neck to try to achieve a
more
> natural walking motion.  I think I've almost got it.
>
> Two significant things are missing:
>   1.  He has no name.
>   2.  He has no clothes.
> (He asked me if he could get some of Fernando's AWESOME cloth to cover up
with.  8)
> (No really.  He did.)
>
>
> Next task:  running.
>
> I've heard it said that running is easier than walking for this sort of
thing.  We'll
> see.
>
> Comments and suggestions are craved..
>
>
>
> Tom Bates.
>
> --
> #macro T(B)#local m=mod(B,8);#local B=floor(B/8);m#end#local
C=126981491245202;#
> local D=115694168992822;sphere_sweep{b_spline 16#local
i=0;#while(i<16)<T(C)-4,T
> (D)-4,10-i/10>.1#local i=i+1;#end pigment{rgb 1}}light_source{-10,1} //Tom
Bates
>
>
>
>


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From: Rune
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 18 Nov 2002 12:29:27
Message: <3dd92377$1@news.povray.org>
That's impressive. :)

I found that the hardest part in making this kind of automated walking,
is when the character changes speed, for example from standing to
walking, or from walking to running. I haven't yet actually tried the
latter...

However, one thing I successfully implemented was an algorithm to
preserve a somewhat realistic dependency between speed, step distance
and step time. In short, the distance of one step length should be about
inversely proportional with the time that it takes to take that step. So
when the speed increases, it should be achieved partly by taking longer
steps, and partly by taking quicker steps. However, as with most of my
other work, this approach was based on a guess* of how these things
work, rather than on actual scientific papers.

* And I tried to do some walking and running at various velocities
myself, which must have looked pretty silly, when at the same time I had
to measure how long steps I took, and how fast. ;)

Rune
--
3D images and anims, include files, tutorials and more:
rune|vision:  http://runevision.com (updated Oct 19)
POV-Ray Ring: http://webring.povray.co.uk


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From: Tom Bates
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 18 Nov 2002 16:03:15
Message: <3dd95593$1@news.povray.org>

> I think the walking algorithm is getting pretty good! The model is kinda
> funny :D
>
> Keep up with the good work,
>
> Fernando.
>

Thank you, Fernando.

I have to admit, the model is kinda funny looking.

My primary purpose while building this model was to make something functional.  It
started as a series of thin cylinders for bones, roughly placed where they should be.
It's also modular -- I can change a few numbers and the body can have more or fewer
limbs and they still work with the IK macros.

I then tried to add something to make it look a little less skeletal.  Thus the
bulbous "muscles" on the upper arms and legs.  However, I don't know what more I can
do to make it look more natural, without compromising functionality, and modularity.

Thanks again for your comments.

Tom Bates.

--
#macro T(B)#local m=mod(B,8);#local B=floor(B/8);m#end#local C=126981491245202;#
local D=115694168992822;sphere_sweep{b_spline 16#local i=0;#while(i<16)<T(C)-4,T
(D)-4,10-i/10>.1#local i=i+1;#end pigment{rgb 1}}light_source{-10,1} //Tom Bates


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From: Tom Bates
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 18 Nov 2002 16:17:17
Message: <3dd958dd@news.povray.org>
Fidel viegas wrote:
>
> That is looking really good. The character is a bit funny, but it is getting
> there. I think Character Studio from Discreet also has something called
> steps. Have you based your Character animation macros on that?
>
> Keep enhancing it.
>
> All the best
>
> Fidel.
>

Thank you Fidel,

Yes, the character is a bit funny.  See my response to Fernando.

I was going to let it go, but since both you and Fernando have commented on it, I see
it may be a sticky point for the IRTC judges.  Still, I'm not sure what to do about
it.

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Character Studio or its capabilities.
The only tools I've used for my character animation macros are POVRay, a calculator,
graph paper, pencils, live models (me and everyone else I see), and a 4-year
engineering degree (hey it's good for something after all }:8} ).

Thanks again for your comments.

Tom Bates.

--
#macro T(B)#local m=mod(B,8);#local B=floor(B/8);m#end#local C=126981491245202;#
local D=115694168992822;sphere_sweep{b_spline 16#local i=0;#while(i<16)<T(C)-4,T
(D)-4,10-i/10>.1#local i=i+1;#end pigment{rgb 1}}light_source{-10,1} //Tom Bates


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From: Tom Bates
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 18 Nov 2002 16:38:59
Message: <3dd95df3@news.povray.org>
Rune wrote:
> That's impressive. :)

Thank you.

>
> I found that the hardest part in making this kind of automated walking,
> is when the character changes speed, for example from standing to
> walking, or from walking to running. I haven't yet actually tried the
> latter...

I'm sure I'll need to tackle those before I'm done.

>
> However, one thing I successfully implemented was an algorithm to
> preserve a somewhat realistic dependency between speed, step distance
> and step time. In short, the distance of one step length should be about
> inversely proportional with the time that it takes to take that step. So
> when the speed increases, it should be achieved partly by taking longer
> steps, and partly by taking quicker steps. However, as with most of my
> other work, this approach was based on a guess* of how these things
> work, rather than on actual scientific papers.

That is an interesting point.  I'll have to look into that.

Currently my Path spline is indexed on a time value, and I specify the
amount of time between each step.  I realize I can get into trouble with
that if I'm not careful (if I make him try to walk too fast), but it was
good enough for the present demonstration.

>
> * And I tried to do some walking and running at various velocities
> myself, which must have looked pretty silly, when at the same time I had
> to measure how long steps I took, and how fast. ;)

I, too, have spent several minutes walking up and down my hallway,
trying not to walk as if someone (me) is watching how I'm walking.

I've thought about taking a digital video camera to the gym to get
some footage of me and/or others on the treadmill (at various
speeds and gaits), except I don't have such a camera, and I don't
have a membership at a gym.

>
> Rune

Thanks for your comments.


Tom Bates.

--
#macro T(B)#local m=mod(B,8);#local B=floor(B/8);m#end#local C=126981491245202;#
local D=115694168992822;sphere_sweep{b_spline 16#local i=0;#while(i<16)<T(C)-4,T
(D)-4,10-i/10>.1#local i=i+1;#end pigment{rgb 1}}light_source{-10,1} //Tom Bates


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From: Fidel viegas
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 18 Nov 2002 22:12:32
Message: <B9FF5B5B.706E%fidel.viegas@artrecognition.co.uk>
in article 3dd958dd@news.povray.org, Tom Bat### [at] thomasbates@shaw.ca wrote
on 18/11/02 9:15 pm:

> Thank you Fidel,
> 
> Yes, the character is a bit funny.  See my response to Fernando.
> 
> I was going to let it go, but since both you and Fernando have commented on
> it, I see
> it may be a sticky point for the IRTC judges.  Still, I'm not sure what to do
> about
> it.

It would be worth to try cause I have seen animations at the IRTC
competitions with very funny characters. you character just needs some
touches here and there, and you are done. Don't give up!!! It's worth to
try.


> I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Character Studio or its capabilities.

I don't know much about it either, but I remember reading an article about
it on a magazine.

> The only tools I've used for my character animation macros are POVRay, a
> calculator,
> graph paper, pencils, live models (me and everyone else I see),

I also use the same, but have never tried Character animation with povray. I
will some day.

>and a 4-year
> engineering degree (hey it's good for something after all }:8} ).

Join the club. It was worth the studies.
I always kept wondering where I was going to apply all those mathematical
formulas and theorems. Now I know where.

Don't give up on the IRTC. Were you planning it for the current topic?

All the best

Fidel.


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From: JWV
Subject: Re: Power-walking a figure-8 (744KB)
Date: 1 May 2003 14:12:53
Message: <3eb163a5@news.povray.org>
after you made him run, can you make him do the moonwalk? That should be
realy funny to see :o).

JWV


"Tom Bates" <tho### [at] shawca> wrote in message
news:3dd7adb6@news.povray.org...
> Thanks to Rune's inspiration and encouragement, I'm at the next stage.
>
> I supply the path in the form of a spline object.
> One macro determines where the feet will fall.
> Another macro creates spline objects for the feet position and
orientation.
> The next macro positions the legs to keep the feet following their
respective spline
> paths.
>
> I then added some rotation to the hips, torso and neck to try to achieve a
more
> natural walking motion.  I think I've almost got it.
>
> Two significant things are missing:
>   1.  He has no name.
>   2.  He has no clothes.
> (He asked me if he could get some of Fernando's AWESOME cloth to cover up
with.  8)
> (No really.  He did.)
>
>
> Next task:  running.
>
> I've heard it said that running is easier than walking for this sort of
thing.  We'll
> see.
>
> Comments and suggestions are craved..
>
>
>
> Tom Bates.
>
> --
> #macro T(B)#local m=mod(B,8);#local B=floor(B/8);m#end#local
C=126981491245202;#
> local D=115694168992822;sphere_sweep{b_spline 16#local
i=0;#while(i<16)<T(C)-4,T
> (D)-4,10-i/10>.1#local i=i+1;#end pigment{rgb 1}}light_source{-10,1} //Tom
Bates
>
>
>
>


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