Cycles and loops are efficient and the staple of all early animation, Scooby Doo, and (oh yes) game animation.

Introduction to tweened animation using Flash.

Character Animation and Movement
Examples;

• A variety of looped movement cycle examples


• Walking Dots


• A beautiful step by step tutorial on how to do a walk cycle
  
• A visual overview of a walk cycle

Character Animation

• The Importance of Timing


• The Language of Motion (arcs, curves, etc.)


• Suggesting Weight


• Movement Cycles (walk, run, swing, etc.)


• Facial Animation & Expression


• Gender & Race


• Energy Level and Attitudinal Suggestion


• Limited Environments of Recreation (MMOs, Real-Time, etc.)

REFERENCE: Walking Dots: A study in motion with varying interactive attibutes (gender, weight, mood)

In-Class exercise:
Create a worm movement cycle.
contrast this with a snake movement cycle.

Project: Movement Cycle
Create three different types of movement cycles. Examples: dance, skip, jog, walk, roll, swim, skate, etc.

The cycle need not be humanoid, nor bipedal. (Do keep in mind that the more legs involved, the more difficult the work).