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The Structured Method of 3D Animation HUMAN RUN CYCLE by Sunil Thankamushy
Master a structured, step-by-step process to create dynamic and realistic human run cycle animations in Maya.
This course breaks down the complex process of animating a realistic human run cycle into a clear, step-by-step method. You’ll learn to build a dynamic animation using a structured workflow, focusing on key poses and refined motion for professional results.
🎯 What you’ll learn
Create a run cycle FAST in a few clearly defined steps
Create a realistic humanoid run cycle in a highly structured manner
Learn to use the dope sheet and the graph editor to make excellent run cycles in Maya
Create run cycles using Maya
Time the run cycle of a human
Plan and design a humanoid run cycle in a highly structured manner
Learn the complexity involved in the multi-axial movement of a realistic humanoid run cycle
Learn how to design the run cycle such that it can be easily edited using curves
✅ Requirements
Skills: Basic experience having used Maya animation software
Tools:Maya
Hardware: A computer capable of running Maya
📝 Description
This course offers a structured method for animating a realistic human run cycle, applicable to any similar humanoid rig. You’ll learn to build a dynamic run through a disciplined, layered workflow, starting with a strong base pose and adding nine key poses to define a natural, believable cycle. The focus is on clarity, precision, and control, ensuring your animation develops with purpose.
You’ll gain practical experience refining movement through curve editing for smoother transitions and nuanced motion, and learn to effectively use the dope sheet for timing and workflow clarity. This versatile approach enhances confidence and efficiency, sharpening core animation skills like timing, spacing, posing, and anatomy in motion.
🧑🎓 Who this course is for
Beginner to intermediate level character animation students
Animators who want to develop new skills in creating complex run cycles
Animators interested in realistic humanoid motions
Animators keen on upskilling their portfolios
🧑🏫 About the Author
Sunil Thankamushy is a former video game-industry animation director and creative executive. He was part of core teams that developed acclaimed game franchises like THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK™, MEDAL OF HONOR™, and CALL OF DUTY™: FINEST HOUR™, working with studios such as DreamWorks Interactive, Electronic Arts, Spark Unlimited, and Activision. For over ten years, he has also been a professor teaching animation and gaming courses. This course is a passion project focused on teaching complex movements through a simple, structured approach.
🏁 Final Result
A portfolio-ready, realistic human run cycle animation created using a structured, step-by-step method in Maya.
Curriculum
📋 Course content
Introduction to the course
Introduction to the course1:07
Download & prep the Silver Cyborg Maya Rig0:03
Reference the rig into an empty Maya scene0:35
Prep the rig to make it more powerful looking, and easier to work with2:07
Preparing the Maya scene layout for character animation2:08
Set up a ground surface for your character to run over0:56
Bring in the run cycle reference chart into your Maya scene0:59
A note on setting up versions of Maya files0:30
Set up Studio Library on your computer1:36
Set up the tool fully – create a Mirror Table in the tool customized for the rig1:17
Primary Running Pose
Overview1:00
Do the Hips and Legs first4:52
And now the Spine1:46
Next, the Neck and Head areas0:35
Now we move on to the Arms3:40
Great! Let’s review the Primary Running Pose we have created1:18
Secondary Running Poses
Creating the 2 CONTACT RIGHT poses1:03
Creating the 1 CONTACT LEFT pose1:36
Current State of the Run cycle: 3 CONTACT poses0:01
Timing and Stride
Defining the timing of the run cycle2:24
Defining the stride length of the run cycle3:51
Now lets set all the curves in the scene to infinity!1:15
Always keep improving the poses! Some udpates to the poses0:49
Current State of the Run Cycle: Stride Length & Infinity Curves set0:04
Review of the Timing Chart1:00
Down and Up Poses
Down poses6:21
Up poses – An overview1:09
Up poses – Hip & Legs2:55
Up poses – the other leg3:21
Up poses – Cleanup the graphs1:39
Flight Poses
Flight poses – An overview0:37
Flight poses – creating it2:34
Current State of the Run Cycle: Down Up & Flight Poses0:01
Hip Movement
Hip Thrusts – an overview0:20
Hip Thrusts – creating it1:39
Hip Lateral Shifts- an overview0:22
Hip Lateral Shifts – creating it2:06
Current State of the Run Cycle: Hip thrusts & Lateral Shifts0:01
Legs Firming Up
Legs firming up – an overview0:35
Legs firming up – doing the work6:10
Legs firming up – the knees1:15
Current State of the Run Cycle: Legs firmed up0:01
Spine Twists
Twisting the spine – an overview0:34
Twisting the spine – creating them2:06
Current State of the Run Cycle: 2 critical spine twists added0:01
Arm Extreme Poses
Arm Extreme poses – an overview0:27
Arm Extreme poses – At the Up- Right pose2:30
Arm Extreme poses – Using Studio Library tool to create the Up – Left pose1:25
Arm Extreme poses – checking the results0:34
Current State of the Run Cycle: Arm extreme poses created0:01
Spine Squash and Stretch
Squash & Align at the Up poses3:39
Pushing the poses to amplify the squash1:30
Current State of the Run Cycle: Spine squashed & stretched0:01
Refining Poses
Improving the hips4:08
Improving the spine2:07
Improving the legs1:07
Detailing the Arms
Detailing the arms – part 13:11
Detailing the arms – part 24:50
Current State of the Run Cycle: Arms Detailed- View From Side0:03
Current State of the Run Cycle: Arms Detailed – Front view0:03
Neck and Feet Details
Squash- Stretch on the neck1:07
Foot slaps0:36
Current State of the Run Cycle: Neck & Feet done – Side view0:03
Current State of the Run Cycle: Neck & Feet done – Front view0:03
Splining the Animation
Splining – an overview0:34
Doing splining7:31
Viewing the results after splining0:34
Current State of the Run Cycle: Splined – Side view0:03
Current State of the Run Cycle: Splined – Front view0:03
Playblast Rendering
Setting up a playblast style rendering2:38
Final Run Cycle Renders
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Side view0:03
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Front view0:03
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Back view0:03
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Top view -a0:03
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Top view – b0:03
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Three quarters view – a0:03
Silver Cyborg Run Cycle – Three quarters view – b0:03
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The Structured Method of 3D Animation HUMAN RUN CYCLE by Sunil Thankamushy
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