Walker design (no56k)

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2007-12-02 10:01pm

The squatting pose is the transport stance.

I've reworked the ankles a bit; not very obvious unless you zoom in on them, but the leg proportions have changed a bit (this is really an excuse for beauty shots).

(links):

(H.264 QT movie):

http://fractalsponge.net/leg/test_foot.mov
(P.S. I suck at animation - I promise that will get better...maybe )

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2007-12-06 09:48pm

I'm at a conference this week, so can't work very much on this. But, I set up the walk cycle (needs movement in the other axis too, but working on that). Test render:

http://fractalsponge.net/leg/step4.mov (QT H.264 mov).

nickolay1 · Post by **nickolay1** » 2007-12-06 09:51pm

Nice work, but did you ever resolve the issue of how it's supposed to turn?

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2007-12-06 11:49pm

That crouching pose just screams 'You know, I really can shoot through that door. No, you don't have cover.'

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2007-12-08 09:46pm

^hehe, you're absolutely right.

OK, I've introduced a way for the walker to ... turn. I was caught off by the AT-AT, which had no obvious mechanism for twisting the legs in the xy-plane. I figured you could do it by alternating step lengths, but without rotation in xy, you have to drag the foot to bring the walker back on course, which is just not elegant.

So, I've introduced rotation via a split footpad, with the motors internal. Re-rerigged to fit.

I'm also working on the walk cycle still - not smooth enough yet, but I think I've made good progress on it - update when I feel more comfortable about it.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2007-12-12 08:49am

More work on the walk cycle (again, QT H.264):

http://fractalsponge.net/leg/step7_long.mov

Getting better, imo.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2007-12-12 05:41pm

Hawt. I especially love the muzzle device on the primary gun atop the beast.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2007-12-20 02:26am

Tweaked walk cycle, rigged and articulated hip suspension.

http://fractalsponge.net/leg/step9_1.mov

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2008-01-12 10:18am

IT LIVESSSSS:
http://fractalsponge.net/leg/h4x2.mov

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2008-01-12 12:48pm

It's cool, but it walks like a roster, which is ok if you have the foot pads like an AT-ST. The way you designed this, it seems like it shold be more of a plodding, stomping and smashing type of walk.

Alan Bolte · Post by **Alan Bolte** » 2008-01-12 06:19pm

I like it, and have no complaints.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2008-01-16 03:53pm

Not quite sure what you mean about the stomping walk - I just have an image of it hopping from foot to foot in that case...

Anyways, updated walk cycle and detail shots:

http://fractalsponge.net/leg/test6.mov

Covenant · Post by **Covenant** » 2008-01-16 05:24pm

You should move the center of mass past the ankles as it walks, so it looks like it's moving forwards as it walks rather than dragging itself along via it's legs.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2008-01-23 08:04am

Some vague improvements:

Torso pitch and bounce, animated the flaps and small leg pistons, and planted teh feet (more or less):

http://fractalsponge.net/leg/test9-2.mov

Alan Bolte · Post by **Alan Bolte** » 2008-01-23 04:37pm

Nice. I can almost hear the thump when it walks.

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-01-23 07:39pm

It looks like it should tip from side to side as it walks, because the center of gravity is so far off to the side of the leg that is touching the ground.

Case in point, try doing this:

Stand on your right leg, with your left foot at your right knee. Note that your body is shifted over your right leg. Now, switch feet. Note that your entire upper body moved over to the left.

Since your feet are rather close together, the movement is somewhat lessened. But try doing that with your feet about two feet apart. Massive side-to-side movement.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2008-01-23 08:45pm

It does, about 5 degrees to either side. The extended leg pushes up and extends, and the torso twists onto the other leg. As the step completes, the body falls back into place.

Not exactly the range of swing that'd be necessary if no other mechanism exists for balancing the thing, but let's face it, walkers aren't necessarily that stable a breed to begin with. If the swaying gets too bad it'd look weird.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2008-01-30 11:21pm

Fixed a few errors on the last cycle (especially the turn-in-place bit). And, as requested by some, a ground view:

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2008-01-30 11:30pm

Now THAT looks fucking imposing and fear inducing. Awesome job man.

fractalsponge1 · Post by **fractalsponge1** » 2008-02-02 02:42pm

more additions with some files from Empire at War; the movie's getting bigger:

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2008-02-02 04:51pm

Can you add some wear? So it doesn't look like it just walked off the computer screen? Or is that coming?

wjs7744 · Post by **wjs7744** » 2008-02-02 05:56pm

havokeff wrote:Can you add some wear? So it doesn't look like it just walked off the computer screen? Or is that coming?

Well, to me it doesn't look textured yet, and Iwould guess that would be where wear and tear would come in.